THE BREEDER/OWNER-HANDLER: DR. MICHELLE WIBERG
“I THINK THE ONLY WAY TO GROW THE WORLD OF DOG SHOWING IS TO SUPPORT THE OWNER HANDLER. Small victories can be huge to the owner handler. An owner-handled Best of Breed or an Owner Handler placing in the Group can be just what an Owner Handler needs
to stay interested in showing and coming back for more.”
8. Are you intimidated by the Professional Handlers? By the Judges? Most of the time I would say, no, I am not intimidated, as I feel I am presenting quality dogs that should be able to com- pete with the professionally handled dogs. I expect the judges to be fair and look at the dog, not the handler, when making their selections. There are, of course, judges that are known for only putting up the familiar faces of the professional han- dlers, and I do not go out of my way to show to those judges. Instead, I seek out the judges whom I feel are fair and select the best dogs, regardless of who is on the end of the lead. 9. Who have been your mentor(s) as a Breeder/Owner Handler? My mother has certainly been a mentor both as an owner handler and as a breeder. She pulled me into the world of dog showing and she has been a breeder since I was a small child. She’s helped me whelp my litters and has been my biggest fan and supporter. The breeders of our foundation bitch, the Morris’s, have also played a big part in mentoring us in our breeding program. 10. How important is the Breeder/Owner Handler to the future of the dog sport? I think the only way to grow the world of dog showing is to support the owner handler. Small victories can be huge to the owner handler. An owner-handled Best of Breed or an Owner Handler placing in the Group can be just what an Owner Handler needs to stay interested in showing and coming back for more. To a Professional, it’s just another rib- bon, another bonus, or just part of the job. A win (or even just a positive experience) in the ring will keep an Owner Handler coming back and will help to build the world of dog showing.
11. What are your goals as a Breeder/Owner Handler? Is there a vic- tory that has eluded you? At first, my goals were to become a Breeder of Merit. I am now a Breeder of Merit Bronze and I hope to keep advancing in those levels over the years. I am fortunate that my first bred-by dog helped me accomplish so many goals; many Bests of Breed, Owner-Handled Groups placings and wins, several Owner-Handled Bests in Show, sever- al regular Group placings, and even a regular Group win. Some- day, I hope to come home with a ribbon out of the Best in Show ring, and be invited to some of the large national shows like Westminster (and maybe even come home with a ribbon). Most importantly, my goals are to continue to produce great dogs that become champions, master hunters, and great family pets. 12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as a Breeder/Owner Handler? I have been fortunate enough to mentor many more owner handlers into the world of dog showing. These people have pur- chased puppies from me and I have been able to drag them to shows by sometimes showing their puppy in the Puppy Class, and then have the owner take the puppy in for Winners if I am also showing my own puppy. Some of the handling mistakes that newbies make can be comical, like picking puppies up by their tail to set the back feet, not being coordinated with the lead/treat/stacking the feet all at the same time, dropping leads, dropping bait, placing feet by grabbing too low on the leg, etc., All I can do is laugh, face palm, and use the experience as a teaching opportunity. Many of these new owner handlers are embarrassed by their handling mistakes, but in the end, they all learned to be better handlers who became successful with their owner-handled dogs.
152 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MARCH 2022
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