THE OWNER HANDLER
CHRIS CHAPMAN
I ’m Chris Chapman of Heartland Australian Terriers. I’m 52 years old and a Breeder/Owner/Handler from Oklahoma. I came to the sport out of a desire to contribute to this wonderful breed through responsible breeding practices, which include showing. 1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed? It’s a long story, but like many, when I became a breeder I was deter- mined to do all the right things. For a purebred breeder that means showing. Showing your dogs is external validation that you are doing the right thing in your breeding program. I come from a science back- ground, so the concept of peer review is one I hold dear. Dog shows are peer review for breeders. It’s one thing for me to say I breed great dogs. It’s another thing for judges, who have seen thousands upon thousands of dogs, to say it with their awards of Champion and Grand Champi- on. As to how I was introduced to my breed…? Ironically, I am allergic to most breeds. When searching for a new family pet 13 years ago, I found that most of the “hypoallergenic” breeds didn’t suit me. I’d had Schnauzers most of my life but was looking for something else. That’s when I found the best breed there is, the Australian Terrier! 2. How many years in dogs? In your breed? I’ve been around dogs my entire life. As I said, I’ve always had Schnau- zers in my home until making the switch to Aussies, but when I was young, my father hunted quail. As a result, I was also around a lot of Pointers. I even had a Weimaraner through my high school and college years. I made the switch to Australian Terriers about 13 years ago and started my breeder’s journey about 11 years ago. Haven’t looked back! 3. Do you attend show handling classes? Have you attended in-person handling seminars? I used to, and I found them to be very useful when I was starting. I don’t think there is a better way to get the basics. You learn a lot about ring procedure. I will still go to classes on occasion, but now it’s more for my inexperienced dogs to get used to a show ring experience before actually showing. When I was first starting out, I also went to a lot of shows to practice. There is no better way for me to learn than to do. 4. Have you found virtual learning tools to be helpful? Videos? Websites? Social Media? AKC Canine College? I am sure that some find these very useful, but different people learn in different ways. For me, I get easily distracted while watching a video, or trying to read a website. Getting in the ring helps me more, because there is no choice but to focus. I also find myself watching others to see what works for them and consider whether to add their practices to my own. You have to be careful about that, though, as you don’t want to add a bad practice thinking it’s a good one.
5. Do you compete in the National Owner-Handled Series? Are rankings important to you? 2023 was really the first year that I really tried to do any- thing significant in the National OH Series. I’m very hap- py to be blessed with a competitive boy right now, with the freedom to show enough that we can move the rank- ing needle. Finishing 4th in the OH rankings for Austra- lian Terriers last year, with pretty limited showing, is an accomplishment I’m very happy with. 6. In which class(es) are you most likely to enter your dog(s)? Bred-By if showing a puppy from my breeding, Open if not. 7. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler? My primary mentor has been the breeder who entrusted me with my program’s foundation bitch, Theresa Goif- fon of Dunham Lake Australian Terriers. She gave me my first lessons in grooming my own dogs and showing tips. Beyond that, my fellow Owner Handlers have shared bits of wisdom here and there, and I hope I’ve been able to return the favor.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024 | 167
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