Page 269 - ShowSight - July 2019

How has the NOHS program affected my view of the sport? It gives the owners more opportunities to practice with their dogs. It encourages the amateur handlers to compete under more fair conditions.
Do I feel that owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? No, not really. There are fair more obstacles “the regular folks” need to overcome to compete in this sport.
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? Absolutely the Specialty win. Just as much as the breed over all breed rankings.
If you’re a breeder/owner/handler, are your wins that much more special? The personal achievement has a very high value. Hav- ing a Top winning dog is fulfilling, accomplishing it all by yourself is unbeatable.
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant bal- ancing act? It is a constant struggle. On one hand my profession does allow for some flexibility, but on the other hand the OBGYN and newborn patients require us to be available for 24 hours a day, all year around. Added to 40+ hours a week at work, I am also “on call” three of five workday’s overnights and additional 72 hours during the weekend, when not at the show.
If the show is close enough, I compete during the day, and work or I am on stand-by for emergencies overnight. As I am unable to take enough time off for a travel and show prep, I drive to the show overnight. It’s like having two full time jobs. Juggling the competi- tion for a top dog and a service to my breeder clients, I go months without a break.
Advice to a newcomer: have a grit. There are three components making a whole picture—your dog’s anatomy, your grooming and your handling. You may not be able to change the structure of your dog, but you can always improve your presentation. Expect to lose and get better by trying again.
FRANCISCO SANGUINO
I live in the midwest. I work in shipping and receiving for an industrial company. I love spending time outdoors (fishing, boating, swimming, sports, etc) with my wife and kids. I also enjoy coaching kids in sports.
I began in Rally and Junior Showmanship at the age 16 and so it’s been 14 years now!
How has the NOHS program affected my view of the sport? I don’t know that it’s really altered how I feel about the sport in gen- eral. However, it’s allowed breeder/owner/handlers to find additional success in the show ring. It also allows owner/handlers to hone their skills, build the relationship with their dog to be successful, all with- out the pressure of competing against handlers.
Do I feel that owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? Unfortunately I don’t think there is an advan- tage in the area of success, because of our bond with our dogs. How- ever, our dogs are bonded to us, want to perform for us, and enjoy the sport because of our bond with them.
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? Specialty win, hands down. Especially when you bred the dog and your dog is recognized at a specialty. Your dog is only against one breed standard and the acknowledgment amongst your peers who are also passionate about your breed is so much more important than that of an all breed win. Not that an all breed win, isn’t rewarding! They, too, can be an amazing experience. But, it’s an either/or question so have to answer that a specialty win is more important to me.
If you’re a breeder/owner/handler, are your wins that much more special? Of course. When we take the time to research what dogs might better the breed, then take all the hours whelping, raising, and evaluating the litter, to grow them up to be successful and acknowl- edged, makes any win more special.
Owner Handler Q & A
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant bal- ancing act? Yes. It takes a ton of planning because I have children who have active schedules, as well as my wife works so it’s always tricky. My wife is the conductor on this crazy train and takes us where we need to go.
Advice to a newcomer: surround themselves with good peo- ple who are supportive. To always remember this is a game and to convey to the dog that you’re having fun and they’re beautiful, no matter what.
I came into this sport a troubled youth. My foster mom, Steph Anderson, got me to try Rally, then I began showing Jr. Showman- ship and Conformation. This sport, literally changed my life. It gave me a positive outlet for all my energy, put positive people in my life that showed me I could achieve something through learning and hard work. I feel very fortunate to have been placed with Steph as a foster child because she got me involved in something that became so mean- ingful to me that I was willing and wanting to turn my life around. It remains an important part of my life and now I’m bringing my own children into the sport.
DAVE & DARLENE SCHEIRIS
We live in Raymore, Missouri and we’ve been professional han- dlers since 1988. Is there a life outside of dogs?
I’ve been in Havanese since 1994 as a handler in Canada in Rare Breed and Miscellaneous. My foundation bitches came from Grace Westerson, Alberta, Canada. Both were AM CAN Champions with Best Puppy in Shows, Multiple Group Placements, and Mannie was Best of Opposite at Westminster. Along with my wife, Darlene, we have bred well over 100 Champion Havanese, with titles all over the world.
Black Russian Terriers since 1998 when I first fell in love with the sire and dam of my first BRT at the World Show in Mexico City. BRT was the first AKC Champion. We have bred over two dozen BRT Champions, and have multiple group and specialty wins, and our last special, Varias, was a Best in Show winning dog.
Bichon Frises since 1984. While we do very little breed- ing at this time, we still love this breed and enjoy the groom- ing and exhibition of these exquisite dogs. Multiple group wins in the USA and Canada. Placements at Westminster and the AKC National Championship.
How has the NOHS program affected my view of the sport? I am not eligible to participate in this competition, but as with everyone, I have an opinion on it. On one hand, I believe that the NOHS pro- gram has encouraged entries, but on the other hand, I believe that dogs entered in NOHS are occasionally overlooked for higher place- ments with judges who want to ‘share’ the awards. Likewise, own- ers with inferior dogs are entering and being awarded, just to have something to brag about, rather than acquiring a better dog. Those people will only enter days with the NOHS competition, and no oth- er. There have been numerous times when I have witnessed a judge go back to check the judges book, see who is NOHS, then make their placements, and as they are handing out ribbons, state “There, every- body gets a ribbon!” and seem very pleased with themselves. I have many friends, with great dogs, who refuse to enter NOHS because they feel that it is not worth the ‘risk.’
In my humble opinion, to alleviate this possible misconception, while truly awarding the most deserving NOHS dog, I would like to see the following changes:
• The NOHS entries should not be marked in the judge’s book. • After final Breed Placements (BOB, BOW, BOS, SD, SB, and
at specialties AOMs) the NOHS BOB should be chosen.
• This would ensure that the best dog on that day is awarded,
not that it given as a consolation prize.
• If a dog is entered in NOHS, and also wins BOB, it should be
required to be owner-handled in the regular group. I cannot
ShowSight Magazine, July 2019 • 263