Page 267 - ShowSight - July 2019

Anything I’d like to share about your experience with the NOHS? First, never believe for a moment that showing your own dog will cost less than hiring a pro handler. You will need to take training classes with your dog. You will spend your spare time practicing with your dog as well as teaching yourself how to move in the ring. Depending on the breed you own, you might find that you’ll need to invest in grooming tools and supplies, and you’ll need travel sup- plies like crates, mats, exercise pens, and a dolly to schlep all your gear in and out of the buildings. The cost of entering your dog in the shows is not exorbitant, but you will also have fuel, parking and hotel bills when you travel. If you’re employed, you’ll likely use some—if not all—of your vacation time to go to shows. And, you may need a whole new wardrobe if you don’t currently own “show clothes.”
Choosing to be an Owner-Handler is all about the journey with your dog. The training you do together should build a bond between you. There’s trust involved; forgiveness for mistakes or an off day; joy when something difficult is mastered—there are even moments of hilarity when it seems both you and your dog are laughing together. The places to which you travel for a show may be places you wouldn’t have known to visit otherwise, and the sum of all your travel together are adventures you get to keep as memories.
When you start competing against pros that have been at it for decades longer than you, it’s intimidating! They know handling tricks you don’t know; they pace the dog just right; they show the bite with a smoothness and effortlessness that you haven’t yet grasped. They exhibit at so many shows that they’re on a first-name basis with many of the judges. You’re aware that your performance—if not impec- cable—could cause your perfectly-performing-pup to not make the cut that day. It can be frustrating and emotionally exhausting. Then, one day, you and your dog take the win over a pro-handled dog and you almost kiss the judge. As you progress, your confidence builds, your skills improve, and you start winning more consistently. The takeaways from being able to compete in a ring with seasoned profes- sionals are great. Even outside the ring you walk a little taller.
The rewards of winning in the NOHS are more momentous because of the personal investment you’ve made. Your dog’s perfor- mance reflects on you and your communicative skills with your dog. The whole experience is heightened because you’re invested in it. You don’t just have skin in the game—you’ve got your heart and soul in it.
MELISSA MULCHAHEY
I live in the greater San Francisco area—in the Livermore wine country. I work as a Vice President of Client Strategy and Business Development for Xcenda, a division of AmerisourceBergen. I’m responsible for working with new and existing pharmaceutical com- pany clients to craft and execute patient access strategies and support programs for life changing therapies. Outside of dogs I’m an active breeder and rider of dressage horses. I currently stand three breeding stallions at stud and actively compete as a dressage rider. I also love cooking and traveling with my husband of 25 years.
I am fairly new to French Bulldogs—only the past two years. In the past I was active in Great Danes and Whippets. Currently I have two AKC Champion Frenchies and am about to import a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
How has the NOHS program affected my view of the sport? Many years ago when I first started in the dog world this division didn’t exist and would have been very received even then. I’m so happy to have a division for us “amateur owners” to compete against our peers, have the chance to show and bond with our dogs, and promote our breeds of choice and the purebred dog world.
Do I feel that owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? Well, I think it depends on the dog! Some are more distracted with their owners and others like the security of having their “person” with them. My current NOHS dog, Truman,
Owner Handler Q & A
really sparkles with me and always gives me his best efforts every time in the ring.
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? Both are special in their own way. I do think an NOHS group win at an all breed show—and the opportunity to go in for Best in Show is really a lot of fun.
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant bal- ancing act? It’s definitely a juggling act. It makes it hard to be able to go out on longer circuits so I try to show as much “locally” as I can. There has been more than one occasion where I’ve had to cancel show entries due to the requirements of work. I’m looking forward to retiring in about five years and having the flexibility to show more and travel more for shows. I’m definitely envious of some of my fellow competitors who are at that stage in their life already and get more ring time than I do. But on the other hand there is a lot of satisfac- tion in balancing work and hobbies—and makes each opportunity to show more special to me.
Advice to a newcomer: find a good professional willing to coach you. I owe a lot to my handler, Ruben Lemmens, who always watches me in the groups if he’s not in another ring, offers constructive criti- cism and enlists our other handler friends to come cheer for me as well. Keep detailed notes on shows, locations, judges—it really helps to be able to look back year to year and make educated decisions on which shows to enter. Watch all of the classes in your breed, stay and watch the groups and cheer on the other owner handlers—even if you don’t make the group yourself.
NANCY NYKAMP
I live in Northern Virginia, one mile from the Potomac River and 20 minutes from Washington DC. My town is family oriented, with lots of horse farms and lush green acres—ideal for a family involved in dogs.
After retiring from the US Army, I chose a second career in Homeland Security. I presently serve as a Senior Executive special- izing in Aviation Security.
My passion outside of dogs is my family. I have three fabulous kids and a wonderful husband. They keep me very busy with sports, scout- ing (I serve as a Girl Scout Troop leader), and community activities. I also love the outdoors, gardening, hiking, and working on projects around the house.
I grew up with Airedale Terriers, so let’s just say I’ve been in dogs for 50 or so years.
How has the NOHS program affected my view of the sport? I think it is an excellent venue that serves to broaden competition. It makes the sport more appealing for 85% of the handlers who are also owners. It also promotes healthy and supportive competition, much like I recall from the 1970s when I was a junior handler in a ring that was comprised primarily of adult owner hander/breeders.
Do I feel that owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? The bond with our dogs is what makes the competition magical. My favorite photo with my Special Bitch is a candid that was taken during Westminster. It is of us in a free stack under the American flag. This photo captures the essence of our mag- ic. While I am not sure we have an advantage, I do think our bond can make for a most charming presentation.
Do breeder/owner/handlers have an extra added advantage when it comes to showing? Our advantage is that we typically have fewer dogs to maintain and presumably more time to spend on the nuances of presentation. Last summer, I maintained four dogs (three Airedales and one Russell Terrier) in preparation for the Montgomery Kennel Club Show. That’s about ten fewer than my friends (who are Terrier handlers) maintain. The smaller number of dogs to maintain enables me to focus on coat conditioning, physical training for muscle devel- opment and happiness.
ShowSight Magazine, July 2019 • 261