Page 213 - ShowSight - December 2019

Sue Cannimore continued
Is my family involved? I live alone, but I have an eleven year old granddaughter who is beginning Junior Showmanship, and I’m helping her get started.
Am I involved with an all-breed club and held positions within the club? I’m a member and past president of Mississippi State Ken- nel Club and a member of the American Lhasa Apso Club.
What can Clubs do to make handlers’ job easier? Hire judges that truly enjoy judging and are pleasant to all exhibitors in the ring, know the standard of the dogs they’re judging and judge according to those standards.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? I was given a Maltese to handle, and I’d never shown one before but talked to other exhibitors about making the coat appear more sparkling white. I was told to use bluing on it. I must have over-did the bluing because the dog had a hint of blue in the ring the follow- ing day. He must have been a nice Maltese since he won anyway. I no longer use bluing on white dogs, however. Lesson learned.
TONY CARTER & AMIE MCLAUGHLIN
Our website is cartershowdogs.com and we live in Kent, Washington.
How we got started in dogs? Tony: I have always had dogs from the beginning. I was raised in a family that had German Shepherds. In my mid 20s I discovered the Chinese Shar-Pei breed, which ulti- mately brought me into the world of dog shows.
Amie: My family was not involved in dogs at all. I saw a dog show on TV when I was young and that sparked my interest in the sport. I joined 4-H and showed my mixed breed dogs. Later falling into dog shows through connections in school and 4-H.
What made us know that this was where we belonged? Tony: It was a natural fit because of the connection I have always felt with dogs. The unconditional love and appreciation that I have for dogs made it an easy choice.
Amie: The bonds I have formed with both my personal dogs and the dogs I handle have made me discover that I truly belong in this dog world.
Who were our mentors? Tony: Entering into showing dogs later in life, I was not afforded the opportunity to work with or study under anybody. There was one individual who quietly took me under his wing with words of encouragement and advice. Thank you Chuck Trotter for always being there and helping me along the way.
Amie: My most influential mentor in the show world would be Tony Carter. I had worked with several other handlers prior to join- ing his team. I learned useful information from each one, despite most being brief. Working with Tony now for almost five years, I have learned more about dogs and the dog show world than I ever imagined. I cannot thank him enough. The mentor I had in the breeding world would be Vali Eberhardt. She introduced me to the wonderful Norwegian Buhund breed and helped me discover my passion for breeding and showing my own dogs.
Do we breed? Tony: I bred Chinese Shar-Pei for over 30 years. I had multiple Best in Show, National Specialty Winning, and #1 dogs throughout the years. One of my biggest highlights was being AKCs first breeder/owner/handled Shar-Pei in the history of the breed.
Amie: I currently breed Norwegian Buhunds. My foundation bitch is the top winning Buhund in AKC breed history. Some of her accolades include multiple Best in Shows, Reserve Best in Shows, National Specialty Wins, and Westminster breed wins. I have bred five champions, three GCHs, a group winner, two multiple group placers, and many other major pointed dogs.
Do we like to stick to any particular breed or group? Not neces- sarily, we just try to show the best quality examples of any breed we have the opportunity to promote.
How do we travel to shows and how many do we attend in the average year? We drive or fly to shows and typically stay in hotels. We attend at least three weekends of shows a month, with many months having a show every weekend. We prefer indoor shows, but outdoor shows are great as long as the weather cooperates.
The best thing about being a professional handler? Both: First and foremost, the dogs. Secondly, meeting interesting and new people around the world.
The toughest part about being a professional handler? Tony: Being away from family as much as we have to be. With that being said, this business has afforded me the opportunity of being home with my family a lot. It’s a catch 22.
Amie: For me few toughest part is sending dogs home after a career. The bond is always so strong that they become family mem- bers. It is very tough to have to send them home.
Is our family involved? Tony: No, but they throughly enjoy get- ting updates and looking at the dog’s ads.
Amie: No, my family loves to live vicariously through my dogs accomplishments.
Are we involved with an all-breed club and held positions within the club? Both: No
What can Clubs do to make handlers’ job easier? For the most part clubs do a good job working and catering to handlers.
What can Clubs do to make handlers want to enter? Owners love nice ribbons. I know owners that love to send their dogs to certain shows because of the ribbons offered.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? Amie: in Orlando a few years ago during the herding group at one of the pre shows, we were doing our last go around and Jere Marder’ Old English Sheepdog pushed her into the line of the ramp. She then proceeded to run up the ramp and over! To which Jon Cole responded with throwing his hands in the air and yelling “Bravo!”
JOYCE COCCIA
My website is Facebook.com/ProfessionaldogshowhandlingbyJMCoccia.
I live in Norwood, Massachusetts. I have had dogs my entire life and when I was 12 a neighbor who operated a German Shepherd kennel offered me a job. My mother said no, my father said yes and I began working with dogs.
What made me know that this was where I belonged? When you are happy to go to work every day, you know you are in the right place.
Who were my mentors? I believe that you have mentors for various stages of your life and career; mentors in life, mentors in your job and mentors in the moment. Some of the mentors whose influence still guides me today include Harold Marcus, Geri Kelly, Bunny Millikin, Janet Bunce and Pat Trotter.
Do I breed? I bred golden retrievers under the Bella D’Oro ken- nel prefix for over 40 years.
Do I like to stick to any particular breed or group? I primary show Sporting and Terrier breeds however I have shown a number of Top 20 dogs in other groups.
How do I travel to shows and how many do I attend in the aver- age year? Hotel or RV? I travel in an RV. On average I am at 120 shows per year; outdoors or indoors makes no difference to me.
The best thing about being a professional handler? Building the relationships with the dogs in my care and being there for that moment when everything comes together and they shine.
Professional HandlerQ & A
ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019 • 209