Page 260 - ShowSight - July 2019

Owner Handler Q & A
hunter but also became a grand champion show dog. He loved to find birds but he really enjoyed going to shows.
The NOHS program has given me an opportunity to do more in the show ring with my dogs and compete against other non-profes- sionals. It has also given me the chance to meet many other wonderful people in the NOHS group ring that probably would not have hap- pened without this program.
Do I feel that owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? I feel there is a wonderful bond between us and doing show work allows us to spend more time together.
However, I can see similar bonds between some of the professional handlers and the winning dogs they show. The key is to have a good dog that enjoys being in the show ring with his handler.
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? All wins are very important and rewarding. Winning a breed spe- cialty confirms you have a good dog against your dog’s peers which is special. Winning an all-breed confirms you have a good dog com- pared to the other dogs showing in your group. That is a wonderful accomplishment and feels great.
If you’re a breeder/owner/handler, are your wins that much more special? As I noted before all wins are special. I am always thankful that my dog is recognized by the Judges for his attainment of the breed standards, but knowing I was able to handle him in the ring to get the award is a great sense of accomplishment.
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant bal- ancing act? This is the same issue for a large number of people, there is never enough time to get everything done that we want to get done. Showing dogs is no different.
I would like to tell the world it is easy and anyone can do it. But all of us must establish life’s priorities, and those at the top of the list will get actions, those at the bottom of the list probably will not. Focus on those items that you enjoy doing.
Advice to a newcomer: get involved in their breed clubs or local kennel clubs and talk about getting started. Go to a few shows and watch what is going on especially with your breed.
Most breeders will not only encourage you to show if that is your interest, but they will help instruct a newcomer on how to get
started showing.
I know from our personal experience that meeting and talking
with other handlers is a great, way to get help. There are many won- derful and knowledgeable people showing and a large majority are willing to help new people to the show world.
STACEY JOHNSON
I started in Neapolitans in the mid 1980s, winning multiple Nationals, Westminster and Royal Canin. I currently own the num- ber one Neapolitan in the US with 16 group placements. I breed under the name Double Trouble.
I live in Brooksville, Florida. I am an International Dog Show Kennel Club owner. Passions outside of dogs, is there anything other than dogs? I’ve been in my breed for 36 years.
How the NOHS program affected my view of the sport? It is a confidence builder.
Do I feel owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? No, professional handlers hold a distinct advantage. Unfortunately with AKC allowing judges to see who the OH are in the Breed sheets, it actually hurts.
Between an All Breed and Specialty win: an All Breed win is more important to me.
If you’re a breeder/owner/handler, are wins that much more spe- cial? Sometimes if over handlers and definitely in group.
Is fitting the show schedule into our “regular” life a constant balancing act? We actually schedule our entire lives around our show schedule.
Advice to a newcomer: have a thick skin. Not every person will welcome you, but there are good people involved in the sport. Set goals, but be reasonable.
JULIA KINSEY
I’m currently living at Litilann Kennels in Louisville Kentucky, working as Ann Rairigh’s assistant. As I have been involved in dogs pretty much my whole life, they really are my passion.
Flirt is my first Toy Poodle, but I have had Standard Poodles since I was ten years old and started showing them at 15. I always wanted a Toy Poodle, so when I had the opportunity to work with Janet Reed in a co-ownership I was very excited!
Because I work as an assistant to a professional, I am ineligible to compete in the NOHS program. I do think it’s done a lot to keep more owner handlers involved in the sport though and I have several friends that are competing in NOHS. I love cheering them on!
I think successful owner handlers certainly have that bond, but so can professional handlers. An owner handler that works on “upping their game” by constantly working on their grooming and handling skills can be a formidable opponent.
I would say that a specialty win is more important to me. Win- ning the variety at PCA this year was a dream come true. To compete with and be recognized by my peers was an amazing feeling.
I have finished Standard Poodles of my own breeding and that was certainly fun. I also enjoy working to bring out the best in our client dogs.
As an assistant, my show schedule is a part of my regular life.
I would tell a newcomer to find good mentors and handlers to help them learn and improve. I was fortunate enough to learn from some of the best and I continue to learn more all the time.
I would like to thank Ann Rairigh who lets me step away to show my own dog and is always there to cheer us on. And thanks also to my friends and family—the support Flirt and I receive is truly over- whelming.
KANDICE KOSTIC
Kandice Kostic started going to dog shows in 1981 after getting her first show Dachshund, a standard smooth. She bred her first Dachshund litter in 1982. Greyhounds came into the picture in 1990. She co-bred her first Greyhound litter in 1998. Dollidachs Dachs- hunds currently has bred or co-bred 147 champion and other title holder standard longs, smooths, and wire
Dachshunds. Trireme Greyhounds has 12 champions to date with a litter born on average every six years. Ms. Kostic is a licensed Junior Showmanship judge and enjoys judging puppy and veteran sweep- stakes.
I live in Northern Virginia and I’m a program specialist. My pas- sions outside of dogs include travel, reading and making jewelry.
I’ve been in Dachshunds since 1980 and Greyhounds since 1989.
How has the NOHS program affected my view of the sport? It has its place. Good experience and training arena for young dogs and new exhibitors.
Do I feel that owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? Not necessarily. I think it depends on the dog and handler.
254 • ShowSight Magazine, July 2019