Why Juniors Go On to Be Successful in The Breed Ring

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280 – June, 2022

By William Given

For many years now, owners who have lacked the necessary skills or the desire to compete in the show ring have hired professional handlers. And, for nearly as many years, the American Kennel Club has listened to the mounting complaints from owner-handlers that it was impossible to win when they had to compete against professional handlers. So, the AKC did two things in response. They created a new Amateur-Owner-Handler class and they initiated the National Owner-Handled Series.

While professional handlers may very often win with their best specials, they do lose with relative frequency in the classes. Therefore, the animosity some owner-handlers have for the professionals is totally unwarranted, and if left unchecked would tarnish our sport. Today, in nearly every point division across the United States, a new dominating force has come to the breed ring and they are winning with amazing regularity. These young people often possess handling skills equal to or greater than those of the average professional handler. Their skills have been honed from years of tough competition in the juniors’ ring where the level of competition demands excellence to win.

The young people participating in Junior Showmanship–regardless of age–do not consider themselves authorities on the sport. They do, however, enjoy competing in the junior’s ring and in the breed ring with equal zeal. Exhibiting their dogs and earning championships as well as competing in companion and performance events brings them the same pleasure and pride it does adults. Unlike some adult owners who have failed to make their dog ready in advance of a show, these young people have fully prepared their ring partner, and they are there to win.

The ability to move a dog at the proper speed seems to be the single greatest failing of the novice exhibitor. All dogs have a particular gait that is best for them and it is by working with a dog daily that the owner can most quickly find that speed. Juniors have discovered that by working with their dogs daily and gaiting them at different speeds, when their dog’s jerkiness disappears, and they feel a sense of smoothness, they have found that perfect speed. They then just keep training at that speed until it becomes a matter of habit for them.

Click here to read the complete article
280 – June, 2022

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Posted by AnthonyA on Jun 16 2022. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.