Rufus was adopted from the Wichita (KS) Humane Society on August 9, 2003, the last dog in the large dog kennels. Kate drove him home to downtown St. Louis and taught him about concrete, elevators, and unexpected city noises in short order. With Rufus, Kate dabbled in sports from competition obedience to rally, agility, and later racing and lure coursing. Standing 14" at the shoulder and with a length of 48" nose to tail, people asked about what Rufus "was" (Dachshund-Lab mix) his entire life. In his 16 years, he helped raise countless dogs, a human child, and served as a therapy dog, helping children learn to read at a YMCA in St. Louis. Rufus made friends everywhere he went. He is deeply missed to this day.

Shirley came to Team Canidapt with the goal of competing in scent sports, and we're sure having a blast doing it.

Shirley went to the 2024 NASDA Showcase & Invitationals with 11 invites:

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Best Of Breed #1 LI-I SD-I TL-I UL-I

Best Of Breed #2 LI-II TL-II

Best Of Breed #3 UL-II

Showcase: #26 LI-I, #38 TL-I, #48 LI-II, #49 UL-II

Shirley brought home a #2 placement in the Showcase for Trailing & Locating II, while her human also co-hosted the event!

Since she began competing in NASDA in October 2022, she has become the first Basset Hound to achieve both her Versatile Locating-Bronze and Supreme Versatility-Bronze titles.

In July 2024, Shirley earned her Novice Sprinter (NS) title and looks forward to continuing to compete.

Shirley is currently also working on traditional scent detection sports as well as mantrailing.

Shown with (L-R): NASDA Judge Martha Metzler-Ghofranian, Owner/Handler Kate Peterson Koch, NASDA Judge and Training Partner Sarah-Jane Petti, and NASDA Judge Penny Scott-Fox.

Photo by Meaghan West.

Hoopla arrived at Team Canidapt in October 2024, the first Standard Longhaired Dachshund to join our crew. Hoopla will show in conformation, compete in NASDA, and do anything else she shows interest in. We are lucky to welcome this grateful girl as the first dog to bear the kennel name Hoverhunde - Hounds Of Versatility - and can't wait to see what her future has in store.

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Photo by Drae Baker.

Gilda came to Team Canidapt as a baby in October 2018, the first total "non-hound" in over 15 years. She is an absolute delight with children, dogs, and every situation she encounters. 

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Gilda has trained extensively in scent detection and also showed in conformation. Over time, it became apparent that Gilda much preferred being a "house dog" than competing. A core value of Kate's is allowing dogs to choose what brings them joy, and though it was challenging to accept at times, permitting Gilda to live her best life as a family dog was the best option for her.

She is loved tremendously and we jokingly say that she is Shirley's "emotional support dog." They can often be found sleeping on one bed, curled up in a snuggle. Gilda enjoys wrestling with Shirley, eating in-season raspberries fresh off the backyard bushes, having her belly rubbed, and being the most joyful creature - a perfect picture of a happy, well-bred Golden Retriever.

Disco completed her Canadian Championship at the age of 17 months in April 2023, and is currently competing in NASDA sports as well as Sprinters. Our hopes are for Disco to become a founding breeding dog in 2025.

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Shown with handler Katie Fraser.

Photo by Tripdog Photography.