Attending events like the AKC Rally National Championship, there are a few breeds you’ll surely see, like Border Collies and Golden Retrievers. If it’s a breed you can’t pinpoint, it may be one of the 98 All-American Dogs that made up the largest breed group at the 2026 competition. But look closely, and you’ll see that some breeds you may not recognize: they’re just so rare that you barely see them in the wild, much less at a national championship dog sport event.
Treeing Walker Coonhound “Miss Toddie,” The Other Dog CD BN RI CGC TKN, is one of those dogs that you’ll make you do a double take. While TWCs are gaining popularity, they were ranked at No. 143 out of 202 recognized breeds in the 2025 Most Popular Breeds list. Toddie and her owner, Roberta Hill of Boaz, Alabama, aren’t just representing their breed in rally at this event. They’re also proving that there’s no limit to what you can accomplish if you set your heart on it.
A Surprise Introduction to Treeing Walker Coonhounds
Hill lives on a farm in Alabama, with horses and acreage galore. Before Toddie came into her life, she already had a mixed-breed dog, “Marshall,” who came into her life by accident just as Toddie later would. Marshall was found near the road by her home, and Hill took her in. Together, they also do Rally and obedience, which is how Hill got her start in dog sports — at 68 years old.
It was through her dog sport connections that Hill got Toddie. She’d never owned, or even heard of, Treeing Walker Coonhounds before. Then, she got a call: a three month old puppy was found in Birmingham, Alabama, and needed a home.
“I saw her face and I had to have her,” Hill says. “We’ve been close since the day I brought her home, and we’ve bonded more ever since.”
Having a hunting dog like a TWC is a big adjustment for anyone. Roberta learned a lot about the breed in the early years. “She’s my first Treeing Walker,” Hill says. “I took her to a Racoonhound Championship, and she didn’t want to have anything to do with the raccoons,” she laughs. “That’s okay.”
Falling Into a Community
Hill’s connections from South Paw Obedience was what got Toddie into her life. When she got into rally, she was already into horses. Her ferrier had Giant Schnauzers, and he recommended she try rally with Marshall. “He’s the one that got me started going over to South Paw Obedience in Arab, Alabama,” she says. “These people brought this dog to me: Kitty [Thompson] told them [Toddie] would have a good home with me.”
And it’s the perfect place for Toddie to explore, hunt, play with horses, train with Hill, and relax after a long day of running around.
“Toddie will be four in December, and we’ve been doing this together for years now,” Hill smiles. “We love it.”
A Double Learning Curve
Working with such an intelligent, driven dog, especially in a sport like Rally, took some getting used to. Especially when Hill was starting out, there was a lot to learn, both about handling the breed and the sport.
“It takes Toddie awhile to learn,” Hill says. “They say with Treeing Walkers, once they learn something they learn it. And when they learn it, they do not forget it.” Having gotten a start in dog sports later in life and already making it to such a big national stage is no easy feat, especially with a new breed. Hill believes that anyone can do it, as long as they put in the work.
“You should start with a trainer,” she says, citing her overwhelmingly positive experience at South Paw Obedience. “It took me a couple of years to learn all of the maneuvers and rules.” And clearly, the work that these two put in paid off.
Going National
Even when Hill attended the Rally Classic with a friend, she never anticipated competing on such a big stage with either of her dogs. “Last year, I kind of had no idea. I didn’t have a dog with me,” she recalls. “Doing it with a dog? It’s a whole new story.”
At 73 years old, this was Hill and Toddie’s first AKC Rally National Championship, the most prestigious event in the sport. Toddie competed in the Intermediate Class, where she placed 39th out of 96 teams. On the first day of the competition, Toddie scored a 97 and then a 96, both out of 100, on her runs. “We’re excited to be here,” Hill says. “This is our first time, it’s a bit exciting!”
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. The first morning of competition, a booming thunderstorm hung over the Roberts Center in Wilmington, Ohio, spooking many of the competing dogs with each crack of lightning. Hill says Toddie was no exception, but was able to work through her fear and focus when the time came.
“She was a little scared,” Hill says. “I was nervous overall, but I’m thrilled to be here.” Luckily, Hill and Toddie had a group of familiar faces traveling and competing with them. Roughly 15 teams from South Paw Obedience were in attendance that weekend, sporting matching green polos and cheering each other on.
An Incredible Bond
Having only started in dog sports a year before she got Toddie in 2022, Hill instantly knew it was a great place to channel the hunting breed’s energy and drive. She’s learned a lot in their four years together already, and has formed an incredible bond with her.
“She wants to sleep with me, she wants to be around me all the time.” Hill smiles. “If she’s down in the field, down in the woods or something, I can call her and she comes. A lot of dogs won’t, especially coonhounds if they’re busy chasing something.”
Hill says she doesn’t know if all Treeing Walker Coonhounds are as full of love as Toddie, but that their bond is incredibly special. “I’m on a TWC Facebook group, and people always post…I wonder if I just got her at the right time.” Treeing Walker Coonhounds are known to be driven and smart with a desire to perform. Toddie, on top of that, is incredibly affectionate, friendly, and sweet.
Toddie’s temperament also inspired Hill to start giving back to her community. “She’s also a therapy dog, we go to hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, wherever,” Hill says. “I’m really grateful. It’s been a pretty good journey the last few years.”
