Jazz, or “Mr. Business” as he is affectionately known, will compete at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club’s 136th annual dog show next month. Jim Ankebrunk/Xania Moreno| Contributed “Mr. Business” is going to Westminster. Readers may be wondering exactly what that means, and for one local family, it means the world.

Xania Moreno, Ann Harwell and Jim Ankenbruck of Mariposa have six Icelandic sheepdogs, and one of them has been chosen to attend the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club’s 136th annual dog show, Feb. 13 and 14.

Westminster is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. First held in 1877, the show is America’s second-longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby.

So being invited to the event is quite a feat for a little dog from Mariposa. The dog, formally named Jazz, has earned the nickname “Mr. Business” and hopes his nononsense attitude will pay off.

According to Ankenbruck, the dog’s handler, Jazz is very serious. “He has a deep work ethic,” Ankenbrunk said.

Jazz is not intimidated by the prestige of the show. “He loves to show in front of crowds,” Ankenbrunk said. “It only makes him better.”

Jazz is a three-year-old male, short hair and is considered a rare breed in the United States. Icelandic sheepdogs were inducted into the American Kennel Club in 2010.

Icelandic sheepdogs first came to Iceland with settlers and were used to work sheep, cattle and horses. They have a storied history and at one time were close to extinction.

Jazz and his family live on five acres in Mariposa County. His home is fenced and cross-fenced, giving him ample room to run and stay fit.

Ankenbrunk will show Jazz in the herding group at Westminster on Feb. 13. “If and when we win breed,” Ankenbrunk said, they will compete that evening. That competition will be nationally televised on USA Network and CNBC. The show airs from 6 to 8 p.m. PST on Feb. 13.