Page 302 - ShowSight - November 2019
P. 302

                Breeder Owner Handler Q & A
“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!”
 Jeanie Troyan McAdams continued
Do I feel that owner/handlers have an advantage because of their bond with their dogs? I think they should but it all depends on the Owner/handler and their attitude. It also depends on their work ethic, passion, energy level, mental outlook, physical ability, desire to learn, etc etc. There are many OH out there that work hard and are passionate about showing and they do very well not only in the OH ring but the ‘regular’ ring also. I also see some OH’s out there with nice dogs but they have a negative attitude and don’t try very hard so they may not win a lot. They always want to blame someone or something besides themselves. Many times they blame their dog, the judge and/or pro handlers. But that’s not the dogs fault! The dog will only show as well as you have trained him. I have helped numerous OHs over the years and some have been eager to learn, take advice well, then they go on and succeed. Then there are some that no matter how many times you tell them the same thing they don’t do it and/or make excuses. That is frustrating, especially when they have a nice dog. So you can’t generalize about any group, there will be a range of talent and passion. I love to see an OH with their dog out winning not only in the NOHS ring but in the regular group and regular Best in Show ring! They usually have a wonderful bond with their dogs!
What’s more important to me, an all-breed win or a specialty win? I love them both! A specialty win, especially the National Spe- cialty is thrilling because of what it is! I have been fortunate to win our regular National Specialty three times (just won back to back National Specialty with my bred by boy) and Select/ Bred By Exhibitor BOB and BOB/OH the other years I have shown (until our club changed the rule on not allowing ‘Specials’ to compete for BOB BBX). All but one year these wins were with Bred By dogs which is especially thrilling! My dogs have won the AKC National BOB OH every year we have shown in it. On the other hand, there is nothing like winning a regular AKC Best in Show with your bred by dog! To be in the regular Best in Show ring with some of the top dogs and top handlers in the country is a thrill! I have had the honor of winning two regular Best in Shows and 1 reserve BIS with two different bred bys, father and son! The dog I am currently show- ing is the only MAS to have won two regular Best in Shows and 30 regular Group Ones! He also won our National Specialty last year and this year and the AKC National NOHS Best in Show in 2016! He was the #1 ranked NOHS all breed dog for several months earlier this year! I showed his sire to a regular Reserve Best in Show and four Group One’s in addition to numerous NOHS BIS ! To win any big show under a judge you truly respect and admire, a real ‘dog man’ (or woman), is a thrill to me!
If you’re a breeder/owner/handler, are your wins that much more special? Absolutely! Nothing compares to that feeling! It really feels wonderful when you are showing a 3rd or 4th generation bred by and put a great record of him/her!
Is fitting the show schedule into my “regular” life a constant balancing act? I don’t know how I manage! My ‘too do’ list is never done! You just have to prioritize and run off adrenaline! Managing our dental 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!
How has the NOHS program affected me? I think it’s a great program and gives people another option to show.
What advice would I give the newcomer to our world? If you have a nice dog and are a good student 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 West- minster breed videos on their website. Know your breed’s breed stan- dard 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, watch 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!
The funniest thing that I have experienced at a dog show? I was walking by the Doberman ring at one show while they were trot- ting around the ring and suddenly one exhibitor’s slip started fall- ing down and ended up around her feet but she kicked it out of the way and kept on going! A few dogs behind her there was another gal who was trotting around and suddenly her shoes started flying off her feet! At the same time there was another exhibitor who was also having a ‘clothing malfunction’! It was so funny that all three exhibitors never missed a beat and still showed their dogs well! They were all laughing when it was all over!
ASHLEY MROZ
I live on a small farm in Lap- eer, Michigan. I am currently self-employed which allows for more travel time, which is one of my passions outside of dogs. I also love nature photography, and of course using my dogs as practice subjects.
I started in performance events with my mixed breed about 13 years ago and then transitioned to the conforma- tion portion via junior show- manship with Bedlington Ter-
riers about ten years ago. About eight years ago I got into my current breed, Field Spaniels, and whelped my first litter five years ago.
The toughest part of being a breeder? Saying goodbye is always the hardest part, it is rough sending them off on their new
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