THE BREEDER/OWNER HANDLER: KRYSTAL PURCELL
“I FEEL LIKE THE DEDICATION THAT BREEDER/ OWNER HANDLERS HAVE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL. MANY ARE PRESERVATION BREEDERS WHO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND COUNTLESS HOURS SHOWING DOGS FOR THE PURE LOVE OF THE SPORT.”
9. How important is the Breeder/Owner Handler to the future of the sport? To your breed? I truly think breeder/owner handlers are beneficial to the future of the sport. It’s one thing to breed dogs and have someone else handle for you. I feel like the dedication that breeder/owner handlers have is something special. Many are preservation breeders who spend thousands of dol- lars and countless hours showing dogs for the pure love of the sport. 10. What advice would you give to Owner Handlers who are thinking of breeding their dog(s)? First and foremost, be selective about which dogs you breed and why. Don’t breed to a top-winning dog just because it’s winning. The whole point of breeding is supposed to be to enhance the breed as a whole. Do your research, look into the pedigrees, and get appropriate testing done. Remember that not every dog you breed is going to be a show dog, and that’s okay. 11. What are your goals as a Breeder/Owner Handler? Is there a victory that has eluded you? I’m honored to admit that I have already accomplished a lot as a breeder/owner handler, but yes, there are many more goals I have not yet achieved. Superstitions won’t let me spell it out, but let’s just say I’m looking forward to the NOHS finals in Orlando. That red carpet is calling our name… 12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as a Breeder/Owner Handler? I’m not sure I would call it funny, more synchronicity. My first Owner-Handled Best in Show was with River, the same week at the same circuit that “Paddy” won his first regular Best in Show. A year later at that show, I won my second Owner-Handled Best in Show with River’s grandson/Pad- dy’s son, Doyle. I guess you could say it’s a family affair!
5. Do you compete in the National Owner-Handled Series? Are rankings important to you? I do currently compete in the NOHS. As a naturally competitive person, seeing my name and my dog’s name in the rankings is defi- nitely thrilling. It gives me a goal to work towards and helps to vali- date the effort I put in both inside and outside the ring. 6. How important is the Bred-By Class to you? How important are Specialties? Bred-By Classes are very important to me. I think it’s a great way for breeders to showcase their breeding program. I especially like when the class is divided into puppies and adult dogs. I love Specialties! It’s such a nice way to generate buzz about a certain breed and usually encourages the best of the best to come out and compete, especially in limited breeds, like Kerry Blues, where you might only have one or two entries at a “regular” show verses 15-20-plus at a Specialty. 7. Is it a challenge to compete with your breed as a Breeder/Owner Handler? It can be very challenging to compete as a breeder/owner handler. Although there are more breeder/owner handlers in KBTs than in some other breeds, the Terrier Group in general is fierce com- petition, especially in the New England area. I regularly compete against some of the top terriers in the country, and most of those dogs are handled by professionals. It can be hard for someone like me who isn’t necessarily out every single weekend. 8. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder? My mom is, of course, my biggest mentor both as an owner handler and a breeder. Her breeder/owner/handler Breed win at Westminster with her bitch, “River,” will always be an inspiration story for me. My dream is to win Breed at Westminster with the grandson someday. Heather Rooze, whom I admire immensely, is another owner handler who has accomplished things even professional handlers haven’t, and who gives people like me the hope that the impossible can be done. There are so many others that I look up to as well, in many different breeds.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2024 | 149
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