DANVILLE, Pa. — Leah Graham is a sixth grader at Danville Area Middle School, and like many kids her age, she loves dogs. But this 12-year-old takes that love a step further. Leah has been showing dogs since she was five.
"I like the competition and I like spending time with the dogs and just being around the dogs. I've always loved dogs. We've had them ever since I was born," Leah said.
Leah primarily shows chihuahuas. Recently, she qualified for one of the biggest dog shows in the country: the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
"The dog she's showing at Westminster is a Bronze Grand Champion. Every point was from her," Jane Graham said.
Leah and Oscar will compete in two categories —Junior Showmanship and Breed—at next weekend's dog show. Leah says there's a lot that goes into preparing for shows like this.
"You can't be too rough with whatever breed you're showing. You can't be too light if you're showing a big dog. So, you kind of have to know how to be with the dog and how to connect with the dog," Leah said.
Leah started showing dogs after watching her mom, Jane, do it. Now, it's something the mother and daughter have in common.
"It's so fun to go do something with your kid every weekend, do something you both enjoy. We both like our dogs. We both like to train our dogs," Jane said.
"People make this their jobs and they make a living out of showing other people's dogs. I'm not sure if I'm going to do that, but I'm going to do it until I'm 18 and then go to college and maybe pursue it. I'm not sure yet," Leah said.