Page 280 - ShowSight - December 2019
P. 280

                  Professional HandlerQ & A
 “The best thing about being a professional handler is showing a dog to the best of it ability and making own- ers happy. The toughest part is long hours, lots of time on the road and not a lot of sleep.”
Lori Sargent continued
What made me know that this was where I belonged? I always loved animals, especially dogs. I was always very competitive. To have these two passions together in one sport was, and still is, my bliss.
Who were my mentors? There was no one person that helped me learn about the sport. There were many people along the way.
Do I breed? Yes, German Wirehaired Pointers.
Do I like to stick to any particular breed or group? I find it very interesting to learn about new breeds and to gain experience in many breeds.
How do I travel to shows? I have a small box van that I pull my travel trailer with in the summer and I stay in hotels in the winter. How many do I attend in the average year? I’ve never counted, but I’d estimate 30-40. Do I prefer outdoors or indoors? It depends on the breeds and the individual dogs I’m showing.
The best thing about being a professional handler? Spending time with the dogs and my friends and the shows.
The toughest part about being a professional handler? The impa- tience of some owners that think their dog should win every show. Is my family involved? No, but my husband is very supportive.
Am I involved with an all-breed club? No, but I intend to join one.
What can Clubs do to make handlers’ job easier? I don’t expect clubs, or anyone else, to give me or other professional handlers any special favors or make any concessions.
What can Clubs do to make handlers want to enter? Multiple shows on one weekend at the same location and competent judges.
MICHELLE SMITH
My Facebook page is Michelle Smith Wolcott professional AKC dog handler.
I live in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
My mom got a Weimaraner to show and she hurt her back and I was like I’ll try to show him. That was it I was hooked. I started showing him in the breed and Jr’s and my mom never showed him.
What made me know that this was where I belonged? It was such a friendly and fun atmosphere, and being around all different breeds just sucked me right in.
Who were my mentors? Vic and Sue Capone and Bob Stebbins. Do I breed? No.
Do I like to stick to any particular breed or group? I am known
for Weimaraner, German Shorthaired Pointers but I can show pret- ty much any thing. No Poodle or major grooming though.
How do I travel to shows and how many do I attend in the aver- age year? I travel in a motorhome. I average close to three weekends a month. I don’t really have a preference indoor or outside shows. Indoor is normally more convenient.
The best thing about being a professional handler is showing a dog to the best of it ability and making owners happy. The toughest part is long hours, lots of time on the road and not a lot of sleep.
Is my family involved? My husband travels with me and is work- ing for site control at shows.
Am I involved with an all-breed club? No.
What can Clubs do to make handlers’ job easier? Don’t spread the show out over large area, when you have several dogs I ring spread out far it make a hard day.
What can Clubs do to make handlers want to enter? A good judging panel and prime grooming.
LINDA WHITNEY
My website is Acaciakennels.com and live in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
How I got started in dogs? My uncle and aunt owned and bred Dobermans. I enjoyed playing with them and teaching them tricks. In 1982, I went to look at a litter of Dobermans to purchase a pup- py. After watching the litter interacting, I pointed to the female that I liked and wanted. The breeder said she was pick puppy and had to go to a show home. I asked her what “show home” meant. She spent the next hour explaining it to me. I brought my first girl, Crista, home. I researched conformation and obedience classes. We attended both. At six months of age, I entered her first show, doing both conformation and obedience.
What made I know that this was where I belonged? My love of dogs and competitive nature.
Who were my mentors? Jeff Brucker and Carlos Rojas.
Do I breed? Yes, Dobermans. Also, co-bred Great Danes and Boxers.
Do I like to stick to any particular breed or group? No, I handle all Breeds.
How do I travel to shows and how many do I attend in the aver- age year? Hotel and 100+, indoor or outdoors doesn’t matter
The best thing about being a professional handler? Training the dogs to their “best”. Also, meeting so many wonderful people, establishing enduring friendships. The toughest part about being a professional handler is knowing the dog you’re showing has the characteristics of the AKC Breed standard and having to tell the client/owner their dog didn’t win.
Is my family involved? Yes, my husband, Chuck Whitney, was a working group judge for over 20 years, currently on emeritus status. Also, he was a PHA Handler, prior to his judging career.
Am I involved with an all-breed club and have I held positions within the club? Yes, the Central Florida Working Group. I’m the recording secretary and trophy chairman.
What can Clubs do to make handlers’ job easier and make han- dlers want to enter? Better coordination of judging program/times within Breeds of the same group. Ensuring that the venue is geared towards the dogs and exhibitors.
The most amusing thing I’ve ever witnessed at a dog show? In North Carolina about 25-30 years ago, I enjoyed watching the “Old Handler’s show“ (after BIS) with Handler’s doing everything wrong possible, it was hysterical!
276 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019


























































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