Tuesday, October 26, 2010

FOR OWNER HANDLERS EVERYWHERE


 Before we move on to our next show report, we have one back story to share.  The Terrier Group at Saturday’s Gloucester County Kennel Club show turned out to be a showcase for owners/handlers, the cornerstone of AKC dog shows, with all four placements going to owner handled dogs. 

The Group One went to a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, CH Thunder Bays Mister Prime Time, bred, owned & handled by Ann Lettis, Group Two was the Bedlington Terrier, CH Peremi Roll The Dyce, bred, owned, & handled by Joan Weiskopf, Group Three taken by the Skye Terrier, GCH CH Gleanntan ComeFlyWithMe bred, owned, & handled by Michael Pesare, and the Group Four, won by the Lakeland Terrier, CH Thor-Kourt Tweetbt Tyrakeag, owned and handled by Fernando Salas.

Moss Bow Foley recently did an analysis of their shows and found that two thirds of all the breed wins were by owner handlers.   Days like Saturday in New Jersey are an inspiration to all of us that take the family dog to their local shows for a day of fun with friends.  Our congratulations to Ann, Joan, Michael, & Fernando.  You did us proud!

11 comments:

  1. Well Done to the 4 of you !!!
    Congratulations !!!!

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  2. Who was the courageous judge?

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  3. Did want to make a slight correction, although I'm not the owner of GCH Thunderbays Mister Prime Time, I am his breeder/handler. I had asked Michaels wife to take the photo as a keepsake. After 3 decades of showing I still find any placement a thrill, but to place with your friends next to you, regardless of where you are standing, well that's PRICELESS

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  4. Congrats to all the winners! Billy you are right! Owner handlers are the cornerstone of the sport. That being said I find it very sad and a little disheartning that it is such a rare thing when wins like this happen. There are alot of very nice dogs out there being owner handled. Its time that they start recieving some notice. After all the dog is the one being judged not the handler or there skillls. In reality this is not so. What are the chances of a unknown owner handler taking a group placement or even a breed win. Even with a great dog and good handling skills the new comer will have the odds stacked against them. It hurts the sport greatly and with entries down in most states I don't think it is something our sport an continue to ignore any longer. Personaly I don't want to fill like I have to have been breeding for twenty years or be friends with the judge to have a consideration in the ring. We all need to go back to the basics... The DOG!

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  5. Altnamara Deerhounds!October 26, 2010 at 7:40 PM

    Brava Sarah!

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  6. Billy, thank you very much for posting this.

    If I may, I would like to clarify your depiction of a day of fun in the sun. We owner handlers are serious competitors and for many of us it is hard work getting our dogs' coats conditioned and ready to perform week in and week out.

    I will say that the most rewarding experience is the comraderie we owner handlers share and the joy of spending the time with our dogs and friends. Also, it was an honor and privelege to share that moment with Ann, Joan, and Michael.

    Thanks again for recognizing our efforts and keep up the great work, Billy.

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  7. courageous judge was Mrs. Sue Weiss, terrier enthusiast

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  8. sadly it is rare for this occurence but a thrill when it is with friends you see and support week in and week out. Thank you Billy for finding the time to post all of this in the middle of your own personal health crisis....they better fix your heart because yours is as big as they get.

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  9. AKC Weekly Wins says the judge was Sue Weiss

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  10. This is wonderful! I know Joan & Fernando, am so happy for them & for the others.
    My recent experience shows the other side of the coin: Ten days ago I participated in a small local show with my young Lakeland, fresh off RWB at Morris & Essex. I thought we might have a chance if she showed well for me, which she did, but we didn't even make the cut in a very thin Terrier Group. One week later, same dog, same coat, same condition, she gets a Group 4 in Atlanta, over a number of specials who are Top 5 in their breeds. The only difference? Great professional handling & professional prep on the day of show.
    Not sure if there's any answer for this. I do wish that the "Amateur Owner' class was a true division, as it is in Hunters & Jumpers, leading all the way to Best A/O Handled in Show, rather than just an afterthought addition to the classes.
    Patty H.

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  11. the big difference between these successfull O/H and others is their committment. I have known Joan for years and she approaches this as a professional handler would putting time and dedication into campaigning a dog. So many O/H are not willing to put in the time required and then grip when the Pro's win. Successfully campainging a dog is not something you can do once every couple of months on a whim. Janet/Akiba Aussies

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