In the Spotlight: Owner Handler Keith McDonough

Join us for an interview series where we get to know some of our most successful owner-handlers in purebred dogs.

How did you get started in the sport of purebred dogs, and how did you acquire your first show dog? 

I had retired from my career in law enforcement and we had sold our horse training business.  I just wanted to travel the world and enjoy retirement.  My husband, Mark, kept bugging me that he wanted a Norwich – all because he loved the movie Best In Show.  I kept saying absolutely not, no more pets, I don’t want to be tied down.  Finally, I caved in and said, “It has to have a purpose, like a show dog.”

We went to the Palm Springs shows in January, 2021, to “look” at Norwich.  We met many exhibitors and breeders at the show, including Cary Trexler and Andrew Chen of Verdant Norwich.  We explained that we wanted a show dog, but it had to be a great one.  Our horses had been some of the top Quarter Horse all-around horses in the business selling for $100,000-$500,000 and we knew what it takes commitment and cost to get to the top, although we told them we know nothing about show dogs and would rely completely on the professionals for guidance. We didn’t have an opinion or color, male/female, nothing.

Cary and Andrew went through six litters before they felt they had the puppy for us. We picked up our boy, Stanley, with the specific instructions to call Gabriel Rangel for the next steps.  We said, “Who is Gabriel Rangel?”  They chuckled and said, “He lives about an hour from you and is one of the best terrier guys in the business. He knows what puppy you are getting and is expecting you.”

We had no idea that we would be meeting with such an amazing handler and groomer! Gabriel and Ivonne have completely guided our path since the first meeting.

If you are currently juggling a career and a show schedule, tell us what you do for a living and the challenges you face doing both. 

I am mostly retired now, other than working with select real estate clients in the Palm Springs area. I spend nearly all my time either at shows or getting our dogs to Gabriel for grooming. We moved back to Washington state two years ago to be closer to our families.  As for grooming, Gabriel said, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Keep bringing Stanley down for grooming.” Therefore, I fly him to Southern California for all his grooming appointments.

Share a brief story of a special memory or experience you have had while competing with your dog?

 In June, 2023, we were going to drive up to Washington to check construction of our house and stay for a while.  I said to Gabe, “There’s a show on the way to Washington that is about half way up where we would stay the night.  Do you think I could try showing my dog?”  Gabe replied, “Sure thing!  He’s a very nice dog and you will be fine.”

And then his best advice, “Just do what everybody else does!”  He was smart enough not to overwhelm me with information or instructions. He treated me like a little puppy going to their first show – just have fun!

So we stopped in Merlin, Oregon, where there is NO cell reception for three shows. I followed instructions and just watched others.  By the time we left the show and drove back to civilization we had received Terrier group 1, 2, and 2, along with NOHS Group 1 for all 3 shows and NOHS BIS!

The best part was all the unanswered text messages and voice mails from our “nervous do0g show dad” Gabriel wanting to know what was going on and why I hadn’t responded.

Another special memory was this year at Westminster. Gabriel had planned to show Stanley.  He started to “hijack” him about a month prior and I knew I lost my dog.  Gabe obviously does a much better job than I could ever do, so we were excited to watch him show.  The schedule looked good that day with no foreseeable conflicts.  Gabe would be done showing the Welsh about 20 minutes prior to the Norwich beginning… or so we thought.

As our ring time got closer we knew it was going to be tight, so I was dressed and ready to start the dog if needed.  We were towards the end of the line up so I wasn’t too concerned.  However, Gabe was still stuck in the Welsh ring and it was my time on the table.  Stanley showed beautifully for me and couldn’t have been any happier.  Just as the judge awarded us Best of Breed Gabriel made it to the ring.  His smile said it all.  You could see his pride in both the dog he had prepared and the student that was being taught little by little, but always having fun and “just doing what everyone else does”. To show in The Garden my first year was a true honor.

Have you participated in the NOHS competition? If you don’t compete in NOHS anymore, share your thoughts on it whether positive, negative or both?

I do participate in the NOHS. I have only been showing dogs for 2 1/2 years thus far.  It has been very rewarding a great place to meet other owners in the sport that are learning as I am.  Stanley is currently the #1 NOHS Lifetime Terrier and #10 Lifetime All Breed. He has earned over 100 Group 1 NOHS placements, 26 NOHS Best in Shows and 24 NOHS Reserves along the way.

The positives have far outweighed the negatives for me.  The friendships made along the way and having a separate ring to grow in that is a bit more forgiving are two positives.

The negative side has really only been some exhibitors that treat you poorly if you have success. These people are likely just nasty in all parts of their lives and could be due to bad breeding. Unfortunately, we can’t spay/neuter, or put the bad temperament humans down.

What advice do you wish someone would have given you when you started competing? 

We were extremely fortunate when we began in that we stumbled upon breeders that listened to our goals, didn’t try to screw us over, and pointed us to the best handler to guide us forward.

Here’s my best advice to others:

·         First, look for a mentor in the sport.  It doesn’t have to be the same breed.  Look for someone you can trust in making decisions that are best for you.

·         Open your eyes and watch those that are successful. Look at how they present themselves. Look at how they dress. Watch how they treat the stewards, judges, other exhibitors.

·         Do your research on breeders. Do a deep dive on their ethics. Avoid those producing many litters, but few Specials – many breeders finish many puppies, but how many go on beyond receiving a champion title.  Also, are those breeders padding their own classes to finish dogs?

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Posted by Liz on Dec 21 2025. 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.