The Heart of New England Chihuahua Club

- an organization of New England Chihuahua fanciers



.

. Article on Handlers

 

When asked to write an article for another publication, my thoughts went to a topic I had recently read something about, on the “infodog.com” site.  It proved to confirm my thoughts but was nevertheless enlightening.

Entitled ‘Judges Only Put Up Handlers’ provided in black and white,  statistics on dogs shown by handlers vs. exhibitors (*data taken from MB-F superintended shows). You’ll have to get online and look at the piece yourself, as seeing is believing!

                        

‘Who Wins the Rosettes?’

 

Much is said about the edge an exhibitor has by hiring a professional handler to show for them. It is not a given, however, that winning depends on who is at the end of the lead.  Sometimes, but not always the rule, the ‘professional’ will walk away with the win.  To do well one must have a worthy dog, acquire a flair for ‘putting’ on a show, and be consistent and persistent.  This comes from the following:

Love of the Sport;   Enjoyment and Fulfillment acquired from the knowledge that you had much of the outcome’s fate from the onset, back when you trained your dog

Lack of a ‘Sore Loser’ Attitude from an understanding that your best was given, as was the winners, on an even plane!

I have heard time and again that it is unfair to use a professional since a familiar face coupled with years of showmanship, takes the fun out of the sport for many breeder - owner - exhibitors.

Have we not all listened to stories about how loaded ‘so and so’ must be, to afford such a luxury, showing their ‘bad bite’ dog (or whatever fault imaginable), while they ‘just’ sit home waiting for rosettes to arrive!

Statistics show things differently!  Many handlers have lost to non-professionals who love the sport and love to be in it!  Those are the owners that handlers (for the most part) will have to work harder at to get their famous ‘edge’ over.  As far as ‘so and so’ can afford to hire Henry the Great, certainly we must remember that to exhibit on our own, money spent to enter is just a pittance. Travel expenses, per day, per weekend and time lost which is irreplaceable and without any dollar amount, surpasses fees paid out to professionals.

Choice of handling your own dog or ‘using’ a handler is a matter of individual priority, not one born out of introversion or a fat bank account, although either may exist or co-exist!  The decision rises out of the personal fulfillment attained. Many of us get this by active participation in the ring, living and breathing it week after week.  Others find by observing they can attend better to other matters while still looking forward to ribbons from justifiable wins.

Grace  M. Sette

Long Island, NY, USA

March  2011

MB