ARE YOU DISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE PROS?
These are two owner handlers, but I could rewrite the comparison and present Max as a professional—and you would nod your head. He’s an owner handler who shows up professionally. So, let’s pay particular atten- tion to our language. A CALL TO ACTION: LANGUAGE REFRAME Don’t say the owner handler didn’t look like a pro. Rather, the owner handler didn’t present professionally. Those who are ready to rise to the top are an elite group. The handlers who occupy a space in the winner’s circle have put in the work. They do the following: • They are willing to put in the time, resources, and dedication. • They understand the rules and continue to evolve their tools to win. • They have a deep understanding of the breed stan- dards and how to strategically prepare for the ring. • They will debrief and learn from each experience in preparation for their next show. • They support their dogs to shine in the ring and even after the shows are over. • They are fully committed to showing dogs and present themselves with a superstar quality. My question to you is: Have you put in the work? Do you need help putting together an action plan? Do you know where to go? Are you prepared to rise to the top? Are you ready to join the elite group of handlers— whether professionals or owner handlers—who step up, support their dogs, and shine in the winner’s circle? Are you distinguishable from the pros? Who cares?! Reframe your focus and be the handler who presents professionally!
“ARE YOU DISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE PROS? WHO CARES?! REFRAME YOUR FOCUS AND BE THE HANDLER WHO PRESENTS PROFESSIONALLY!”
TWO HANDLERS: A NUANCED LOOK Max is a quality owner handler with ten years of experience with eight different breeds. He enjoys the dog show community and has made numerous friendships with people he has met and worked with over his span of time in dogs. He has competed on the local and national stage, and he attends, plus- or-minus, a hundred shows a year. He makes about $100k annually. Max has one-to-two litters a year of a breed that is easy to breed and has puppies that are desirable to the general public. After household expenses, health insurance, and savings, he devotes 90 percent of his income to his dogs. He has a budget of $35,000 to dedicate to his competition materials. This includes clothes, gear, education, and training for both himself and his dog. He spends an average of $683 every show weekend, which includes the costs for a hotel, meals, entry fees, show garb, and show equipment. As a former athlete, Max understands the value of coaching. He takes one weekend a year off from shows to devote to an on-site handling clinic, which costs $1,000. Every few years he spends ten times that on an inten- sive coaching program that helps him stay sharp. He adjusts and maintains his own show strategy blueprint. Max has the time and actively dedicates it to pursue further educa- tion and training for his dogs’ show presentation. Whether it is or not, he approaches showing dogs as if it were his profession. Felix is an owner handler with ten years of experience. He shows because he likes to travel. Felix works with one breed and has competed on the local and national stage. He attends thirty shows per year and dedi- cates 50 percent of his salary to his dogs. He attends handling classes once a month and goes to one weekend handling seminar a year. Felix leaves the show once his breed is finished and doesn’t have a lot of contact with others at the shows. His friends have about the same knowledge level as he has, and they usually show dogs to their championship and rarely special them. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ms. Lee Whittier has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs for over three decades. Her involvement began as owner, exhibitor, and subsequently, a breeder of Rottweilers. She has also owned and exhibited numerous breeds in three Groups, currently Tibetan Terriers. Lee began judging in 2000, and then took a hiatus for several years to work for The American Kennel Club as an Executive Field Representative. She returned to judging in 2011, and currently judges the Working, Terrier, Toy, and Non-Sporting Groups, eleven Hounds breeds, six Sporting breeds, Bouvier des Flandres, and Best In Show. She has judged throughout the US as well as internationally. Lee is a standing member of Dog Fanciers of Oregon, the American Rottweiler Club, and the Tibetan Terrier Club of America. She is Show Chair for Vancouver Kennel Club and the Terrier Association of Oregon’s January show with Rose City Classic. In addition to judging, Lee Whittier has developed the Dog Show Mentor program, exclusively for owner handlers. This is an online program where owner handlers of all stages and levels learn to develop an individual, strategic approach to showing dogs. She also travels to speak to owner handlers all over the world.
154 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2022
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