On Jan. 16, Victory's Just What the Doctor Ordered, call name Doc, turned three. A month and a day later he competed in the breed ring at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City.

Doc is a flat coated retriever owned by John Price and Kathy Poole-Price, of Zionsville. Poole-Price also trains and handles Doc.

Several years ago Poole-Price, proprietress of pet resort Queen of the Valley Farm, went searching for a puppy.

She initially investigated golden retrievers; then, a client contacted her to check out a litter of flat coated retrievers. As she describes, Poole-Price fell for the "black/golden [retriever] look."

According to the American Kennel Club Standard the look should incorporate "... smooth effortless movement, head type, coat and character ... A proud carriage, responsive attitude, waving tail and overall look of functional strength, quality, style and symmetry ..."

In 2012, eight week old Doc joined the family, which currently includes two Doberman Pinschers and a second flat coated retriever. Although they have previously trained dogs for therapy work, Doc is Poole-Price's first dog to appear in a breed confirmation competition.

Doc entered the breed ring at nine months of age. Since then he has won 12 best of breed titles and acquired Grand Champion status. He is ranked in a tie for 13th among the top 20 flat coated retrievers in the country. However, Doc is no one trick pony. Doc's activities include obedience showing, therapy dog work and field retriever training.

Poole-Price explains Doc is a delight to work with because "He wants to do whatever I'm doing. He's my boy."

On Feb. 16, Doc appeared in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Along with 24 other champion flat coats, he strutted his stuff for the judges.

In his debut performance at the prestigious show, Doc earned an Award of Merit.

Poole-Price shows Doc because she enjoys competition and believes that, although exciting, Westminster truly is just another dog show.