In the Spotlight: Owner Handler Zac Crump

Join us for an interview series where we get to know some of our 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? 

Originally, I got into PWDs because of my fascination with water work, bringing home my first PWD in 2020 with no intentions of showing. After having success in water and other performance events, breeders agreed that we could head down the show route. I started handling classes and did ringside drop-off with a handler until I became confident going into the ring. Having both majors a few months later, I entered the ring and, in a few weekends, finished my first PWD. Later in 2022, I brought home my second PWD and fell in love with showing and all venues working this breed.

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. 

Juggling a full-time job while showing and being active in dogs, can be challenging, but it can be done with planning. I work remotely as the Director of Resource Management for a professional services and training organization. Working remote is key! I run a heavy week with calls Monday – Wednesday, working well into the night and very early morning on show days.

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

There are several, however having the success I’ve had with Churchill as a new handler, reaching the Top 20 in our first year and being in the final cut at the 2024 PWDCA National. I would also point out the people and friendships that dog showing has brought.

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?

Yes, I currently participate in NOHS and have since day 1. I feel it’s a great opportunity with friendly competition and provides opportunities to improve and gain confidence.

I appreciate clubs that offer NOHS and understand they go to great lengths with judging schedules. One improvement would be to have judges that are licensed for those breeds or even that group to which they are assigned in NOHS. One pet peeve is that you often have people that do not take NOHS seriously, lack of presentation of themselves and their dog. Being in the NOHS ring is valuable time that they could be polishing their showmanship.

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

Never forget, it’s just a dog show. No two days are alike! Have fun and present your dog to the best of your abilities while always being open to learning. Go sit ringside, watch people, professional handlers you admire, and judges ring procedures, take it all in! Talk to people in your breed and LISTEN so you can adapt what will work for you and your dog to be the best team. The joy is in the journey!

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Posted by Liz on Mar 30 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.