Page 266 - ShowSight - July 2019
P. 266

                Owner Handler Q & A
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant bal- ancing act? I don’t know how I manage! My ‘to do’ list is never done! You just have to prioritize and run off adrenaline! Managing our den- tal practice, taking care of our ranch and dogs, breeding, training and showing dogs, all without a lot of help is exhausting actually! But, I know that one day this will all end so I want to take advantage of this time in my life and not waste a minute of it!
Advice to a newcomer: if you have a nice dog and are a good stu- dent you can do well especially showing in the NOHS. Buy some handling books and if possible take lessons. Keep it fun for your dog. Study show videos, like Westminster breed videos on their website. Know your breed’s breed standard and carry a copy with you. Study the AKC rulebook. Know your judge’s ring procedure. Get to the show early and be prepared. Be organized. Keep it fun for your dog. Watch other breeds, the group rings and Best in Show. You can learn something from everyone, either how to do something or how not to do something! Keep a positive attitude, don’t talk poorly about anyone or their dogs at the shows and smile! Don’t take it personally if a lot of the people showing dogs seem to be in their own little world and may not come across as being friendly. A lot of them are there to do their job and are focused on their dogs and schedule. You can introduce yourself to others and especially owner handlers showing other breeds. Keep it fun for your dog. Be positive on social media. Most dogs love going down the road with their best friend, make it fun for them! Train at home, be prepared when you get to a show and have fun! Remember you are either going to win or learn a lesson that day. It’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t go as planned. When it does all fall together though it is a blast! Did I mention keep it fun for your dog? Keep it fun for you too!
TERI MCALLISTER
I was born and raised in Rock Hill, South Carolina and still live there. I’m a groomer and love it. A passion of mine outside of caring for dogs is photography.
When I first started working at a veterinary clinic in Rock Hill, one of the employees had a litter of Lhasa pups; that was 26 years ago. I love this breed and their personalities. They don’t seem to have many health issues and are long lived.
When NOHS program first came out I believe everyone was on equal footing but things seem to have changed.
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? The all breed win is more important to me.
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant bal- ancing act? Balancing my show schedule with my home life can some- times be challenging, but I have good friends who come forward to help out and we seem to manage well with both.
My advice to newcomers is don’t give up, enjoy showing your dog whether you win or lose. Your dog is happy being with you. Groom- ing a Lhasa can be relaxing. Be proud that you have a beautiful friend on the other end of the lead.
BETH MERCIER
I live in St. Marys, Georgia and I’m the Vice President of Q2, a software company based in Austin, Texas. My passion outside of dogs is historic preservation and early southern material arts. I serve as the Chair of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts Advisory Board, Secretary of the Board of Trustees for Old Salem Museum and Gardens and on the Decorative Arts Council for the Georgia Museum of Art.
I have been in Portuguese Water Dogs for over 15 years. Before Portuguese Water Dogs, we had Newfoundlands and Labs.
How has the NOHS program affected my view of the sport? It has made the sport more accessible to me and allowed me to live out my dream of handling my dog in the conformation ring. I have watched
dog shows all my life but always felt that the ring was only for professionals. I am grateful to the AKC for introducing the NOHS and to the all breed clubs who support the series by offer- ing NOHS events.
Do I feel that owner/han- dlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? Owners do have a bond with their dogs but I’m not sure that this is necessarily an advantage in the ring. Handlers have the advantage of experience and know how to respond or adjust
to situations in the ring. Handlers also may have an advantage because their relationship with the dog is based more on working together rather than being a companion.
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? Both! I actually haven’t handled my own dog at a specialty but plan to owner-handle Blaze at our National Specialty in Septem- ber in Colorado. I set this goal for us in January when I first start- ed showing Blaze, and have been showing her every month to get practice. A specialty win would be very special because you are get- ting the recognition in a lineup of beautiful PWDs. All breed wins are exciting because the competition is so varied. I love it when we are recognized in an outstanding lineup of working dogs.
If you’re a breeder/owner/handler, are your wins that much more special? It is wonderful validation for the breeding decisions you’ve made when you can be a breeder/owner/handler.
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant bal- ancing act? It is! I have had to take vacation days to travel to and participate in shows. This also means time away from my family and catching up during the week when I’ve been gone all weekend. We also get up early every morning to exercise and condition before work and typically do any bathing and grooming at night.
Advice to a newcomer: find a mentor! I am very fortunate to have two strong mentors, Margaret De Fore, who co-owns Torrid Zone Portuguese Water Dogs with me, and Elizabeth Volz, who keeps Blaze’s groom in pattern and trains me on how to present her. Both of these dear friends cheer us on and encourage us to believe in what we can achieve.
DARCY MORGAN
We’re in Spring, Texas— just north of Houston. I’m a fulltime Project Manager for a tech company so most of my off hours involve the dogs. Nice weather finds us outside playing and training in the yard, walking, or going to the dog park. I’m an avid house and yard DIYer, so I’ve always got some remodeling, decorating, or crafting proj- ect going on. Hot weather drives us indoors where I’ll sometimes create videos or
catch up on email and social media.
I had Mini’s before deciding in 2005 I was ready for the chal-
lenge of the Standard. I fell in love with the breed and have pro- gressed from being a pet owner to showing in Conformation and breeding.
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