Susan Larkin
1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How long have you been a Professional Handler? How did you get your start? Who are/ were your mentors and with whom did you apprentice? I am from the Chicago area, but in recent years I moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I now reside on my grandparent’s original property, where I spent summers growing up. Truly a magical place to live. I started out in the mid-1970s, owner-handling my black Great Danes. I joined the Great Dane Club of America and the Illini Great Dane Club, where I am currently a proud Lifetime Member. I have been active in the club in many capacities, and have served on the Board during all those years in every position except Treasurer. (I have math challenges, lol.) I had the privilege as having as one of my mentors the late Pat Lawrence of Von Waldheim Great Danes. Pat was a founding member of Illini GDC, and we became wonderful friends. We bred fawn and brindle lit- ters together until her untimely death in the mid-1990s. I still hear Pat’s wise words in my head. I count as mentors in those early days, and also even today, many prominent Dane breeders and others willing to share their knowledge and friendship. My love was always in presenting a dog to its best, and in doing so, getting to know the dog’s personality, and form a deep bond, which is essential to presenting them to their individual best. Always listen to the dog! Following my goal to become a knowledgeable and professional handler, I officially worked for three years for Nancy and Bryan Martin, top all- breed handlers, who at that time were living near me in the Midwest. I learned so much and I’m so grateful for those opportunities then that
In Great Danes and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, I was fortunate to handle both breeds to Platinum Grand Championships. I have handled to multiple Bests in Show in Danes, and to Top 5 positions in both Breed and All-Breed standings in Danes and Swissys. I recently handled the first Merle Great Dane to be awarded a Best in Futurity at the GDCA National. I have had the honor to judge both the Top 20 and the Futurity at the Great Dane National. I was also honored to judge the Greater Swiss Moun- tain Dog National Match and Specialty Sweepstakes. I have had the fun of putting titles of Farm Dog, Urban CGC, and Temperament Test on Swissys. 2. As a Professional Handler, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? Has judging changed since you first began showing dogs professionally? What do you think about the number of shows today? Is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful? I am proud to be a professional handler in the sport today. I feel the code of ethics among professionals remains strong. As a whole, the dog show community can be counted on to come together when problems arise and will be there to help each other when needed. In my opinion, judging has not changed since I first began as a Professional Handler over 30 years ago.
serve me well today. I cherish our friendship always. I have been a Professional Handler for over 30 years.
“My love was always in presenting a dog to its best, and in doing so, getting to know the dog’s personality, and form a deep bond, which is essential to presenting them to their individual best.”
182 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024
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