HI! Are there any dog breeders that show that can answer some questions?

Question

I'm interested in becoming a dog handler. I've had dogs my whole life and have done jr.showmanship, agiliity and obedience. I do need some refreshing on conformation since it's been a while. I'm 34 and I absolutely love ALL DOGS! I'd be willing to do this for free. I'm personable, look nice, work well with dogs, and I think I'd make a great handler. I'm not talking about big time yet! I live in Michigan about an hour from Chicago, hour from Kalamazoo, MI and hour from South Bend, IN and can travel up to 3 hours. I basically would love to eventually breed and show dogs but I need a lot more time around experienced breeders and in the show ring! I currently have 2 Shetlies (my favorite breed of all time!) but although verey lovely, they could be shown but wouldn't excel and I don't believe in showing a dog unless it has "FUTURE CHAMP" on it's head. The one is incredible at agility and obedience and she's still only a year and a half and I'm waiting till (CONT'd)

she's 2 to do AKC and UKC agility and obedience and maybe flyball! I would like to find a "mentor" to help me get into breeding andn showing. I'd kind of like to raise two breeds probably Shelties and perhaps Standard Poodles (because they are also very smart and could do agility and obedience as well), Aussies, but I think going to a lot of dog shows and really checking out ALL the different breeds would help! How do I find a mentor? How do I adveritise that I'd be willing to be a handler? Don't get me wrong, I could use a little money but maybe someting could be worked out with a puppy or something after a while! I am very serious about this! I work part-time out of my home so I have all the time in the world to spend with the dogs! I live a block from Lake Michigan where the dogs are in seventh Heaven running up and down the private beach! I keep them indoors but do have a large fenced in area that they spend usually 1-2 hrs. a day depending on the weather. (Cont'd)

I do not have kids and don't plan on it so the dogs are my kids! I spoil them silly! We live in a semi-residental area. I'm a bit on the shy side at first but I can look very professional when showing. I study all the big time shows on tv meticulously and record them and study them. I also read a lot. My local dog clubs offer conformation classes! I would NOT mind showing ANY breed from the smallest! Please contact me at [e-mail] and I"m working on a new Yahoo add. but you may be able to contact me thru this site! ANY HELPFUL, FRIENDLY, OPTOMISTIC ADVICE APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!!!! I've had Shelties since 6 and I think now that I'm done with college and settled in, it's a PERFECT time to get into the dog show world! Obedience and agility will probably be my favorite though! Please don't waste my time if you want to lecture about there being too many breeders (we all start somewhere!) and unwanted dogs. OH, I am strictly in this for FUN not money!!!!!!

Answer 1

It really depends on what you want to do long term. If you are interested in learning the ins and outs of showing/breeding a specific breed then your best bet is to contact the AKC parent club for that breed. You can locate these at the AKC's website http://www.akc.org . Then contact the the club's representative and explain that you are wanting to learn more about their breed and were hoping that they could put you in touch with a reputable breed in your area who might be interested in mentoring you. This way you can learn the specifics of the breed ranging from grooming and handling to the health problems associated with that breed that you need to look out for if you decide to go into breeding down the road.

On the other hand if you are interested in learning to handle a number of different breeds then you should consider contacting the Professional Handlers Assoc (http://www.phadoghandlers.com/ ) and seeing if they could recommend in handlers in your area that you could contact regarding becoming an apprentice. If accepted this would give you a chance to learn the basics grooming and handling from a pro but it most likely would not give you the depth of knowledge regarding a specific breed.

In either case you should understand that in the beginning at least you will be exchanging your services for knowledge not money or a reduced price on a puppy.

Hopefully you are not thinking that you are going make a lot of money handling since only a very few actually earn enough to pay the bills.

Since you mentioned the UKC, you should be aware that the UKC does not allow professional handlers at their shows.

Answer 2

I can't see that there'd be a lot of money in handling for obedience or agility, those are generally owner-handled sports.

For conformation, I'd suggest showing a dog of your own (and taking handling classes) to get your feet wet. Then see if you can apprentice to one of the good pro handlers to learn the trade from the ground up. Expect to start with a lot of "chit-shovelling" and dirty work as you work your way up.

Actually, once you've been to the shows enough you will know who the good handlers are. Try to catch them when they're not too busy and ask THEM the best way to get into the business.

Answer 3

This is not a big money making venture. If you show in conformation - you can expect to make a bit of money - but you will never get rich. As far as agility & obedience - these dogs are trained & handled by their owners. They don't use professional handlers.
Also, before you even consider soliciting clients, you need to get out there & get some experience showing & winning.
No offense - but watching dog shows on tv is NOT experience.
Good luck.

Answer 4

One idea- go to Yahoo Groups and search for discussion lists related to the breeds you're interested in. You're likely to find show-specific lists and all manner of things. You'll likely be able to find people in your area who show Shelties or Poodles, and attend some shows, get to know people, etc. This is the best way to find someone who would be willing to mentor you.

Or, you can try to find a conformation handling class in your area. You can go with your own dogs, even if you don't plan to show them- it will refresh you on the basics of handling, and allow you to meet local show people who are beginning their young dogs.

Good luck!

Answer 5

If you are going to handle coated breeds then you will need to learn to be a professional groomer for each dog-meaning each one of the breed will be groomed similarly, but different according to it's lack of conformation. Stay away from terriers. It takes years and years to learn to correctly pull a coat. Handling is an expensive
ordeal for the owners....they wouldn't want to throw away their money....not saying you couldn't do it well....but even if you were just starting out with a dog, you aren't known by the judges and there are people in the ring that are..it's very political.

Answer 6

Are you planning on working with the shelties or a different breed?
If you are planning on working with shelties then find a mentor in the breed and also you can go to a conformation handling class. Join a local sheltie club.
Go to shows and talk with people there.

Answer 7

start attending a local conformation class... you can also go onto one of the yahoo groups and offer your services for free...ringside pickup until you get established...

in the groups section look up handler related groups...

Answer 8

Find a handler in your area and offer to apprentice. (Usually they take teenagers on as apprentices..and its a LOT of the non-glory work... but that's how a lot of pro-handlers start out).