Austin dog trainer Bob Mallory and his dog are honored

Published 7:10 pm Monday, February 20, 2012

Austin's Bob Mallory holds up the plaque for his dog Sir Jackson winning the Tucker Award from Dock Dogs and a plaque for himself being put into the Dock Dogs Hall of Fame. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

After a decade together and many miles on the road, Austin resident Bob Mallory and his dog, Sir Jackson, are getting some big honors from Dock Dogs Northern Stars, the Minnesota affiliate for Dock Dogs.

Mallory has been put into the Dock Dogs Hall of Fame for handlers and Sir Jackson has won the Tucker Award, which is for competitive greatness over time in the sport of dock dogs.

“It’s pretty special,” Mallory said. “This is an award that not a whole bunch of people get. For me, it’s definitely about the dog and I’ve been known to say that if that dog could drive, he wouldn’t need me along.”

Email newsletter signup

Sir Jackson, who will be 11 in May, has the second longest jump in Minnesota history at 26 feet and six inches.

“This dog’s had a knack for it every since he was a young pup,” Mallory said. “He’s come from his first event where he finished dead last to being ranked as high as number three in the whole nation.”

Mallory and Sir Jackson have been in 35 different states as they’ve traveled across the country to different competitions.

“I couldn’t tell you how many miles we’ve traveled,” Mallory said.

Sir Jackson has been to the ESPN Great Outdoor Games, the Super Retrievers Crown Championships, the Dock Dogs World Championships, and the Dock Dog National Championships for five straight years. He also garnered the title of Minnesota-Wisconsin State Champion in 2007.

One of Mallory’s pups will be featured at the Pheasants Forever Banquet Feb. 25.