Dog Show Groups Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Professional Dog Handlers

Breed Standards – what does it mean

In the dog world you will often hear or read the phrase breed standard. The breed standard is the outline of how that specific breed should be built. A breed standard will describe size, coat, build, temperament, how it should move or its gait, the general appearance, and color, and bite. It will also indicate any faults that might be disqualifications in any specific breed. The standard is what breeders use when choosing their foundation (the beginning of your kennel) dogs. That is why it is important to carefully choose the kennel from which your dogs come.

Kennels that adhere to a breeds standard are better able to provide you with the right dogs to start with. Who comes up with these standards you might ask? The breed club for any particular breed does. AKC asks them about what the standard should be, the breeders come together with a current standard and they vote on any amendments or changes that they feel might be made. Most of the time its…

When Things Go Wrong

Both in humans and animals, we have gotten to a point of confidence in successful pregnancies that just assumes happy endings. I guess that high success rate makes dealing with situations when things go wrong all the harder. All in all, we've had a pretty good history of breeding dogs. Recently we lost our first full litter including the mother. Everything went much like every other pregnancy. Then for some reason that we don't fully understand, we lost the mother. Things went down hill from there.

It Takes a Village

While you might find that breeding dogs is a solitary effort, it's time's like these that you find out you are part of a community. We had two other kennels provide substitute mothers, and even more people offered assistance. Despite everyone's best efforts, it didn't work. More than a few experts had their hand in this rescue operation. It just wasn't meant to be.

Sooner or la…

Becoming a Dog Handler

Dog shows have a rich and fascinating history in the United States dating as far back as 1877. In the formative years of competitive dog breeding, becoming a dog handler was a rather straight-forward endeavor. Prior to the late 1920s, the majority of show handlers had come from long-time (sometimes life-long) careers as groomers or assistants at large, commercial kennels specializing in one or two breeds. The practice of breeding dogs began to transition away from large-scale breeding operations and toward hobby breeding later in the 20th century. The path to becoming a show handler became less rigidly defined.

Consider an Apprenticeship

There are no formal training or licensing requirements for showing dogs. Doing it successfully still requires an intensive, working knowledge of the care, grooming, breed standards, health and temperament of a particular breed. Information on these topics is more easily accessible than ever thanks to the internet. But tr…

Herding Group

The 30 breeds in the AKC Herding Group are defined by dogs that have the capacity to help owners with the movement of livestock. These dogs were formerly members of the working group, but became their own classification in 1983. Their characteristics include: high stamina, athletic, extremely obedient, devoted, and very loving. While most of these animals in this classification will never see a pasture, they still are hard-wired to herd. They are often found herding the family’s children or other animals in its home.

Herding Group Dogs Come in All Sizes

Breeds in the herding group include the Border Collie, the Australian Shepherd or the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. There is a diverse size difference throughout all the breeds in this classification. While the Border Collie is an average sized dog, the Welsh Corgi is petite and can easily get under livestock to herd effectively.

An unexpected breed in this group is the German Shepherd. Many believe Ge…

The Westminster Dog Show

Madison Square Garden is home to many spectacular events throughout the year. From professional baseball and ice hockey tournaments to circuses and ice shows, it hosts some of the most exciting events in the world throughout the year. One of the finest annual shows to be hosted in Madison Square Garden is the Westminster Dog Show. The show has a legacy stretching back to over a century, with its origins in 1875. Since then, every year, proud masters bring their dogs to participate in the show and win the much coveted title of “America’s Dog”. The show has been broadcast live on television networks since 1948 and consistently ranks as one of the top viewed shows in sports entertainment in the United States. With its popularity and mass appeal, the Westminster Dog Show is truly the Oscars of the dog show world.

February in New York

The show is held in the month of February each year. After a gruelling round of initial rounds, roughly 2500 dogs are selected to com…

Crufts Dog Show

For dog lovers in the UK, there is no bigger dog show than the Crufts Dog Show. It is an annual event that is conducted at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Organized and hosted by the Kennel Club, the show is held over 4 days and draws crowds from all over the UK and the world. Over the years, the show has established its name as one of the finest dog shows in the world. With a history that goes all the way back to 1891, it is also one of the most reputed dog shows around. These days, the show has evolved to include more aspects than the championship that forms its central attraction. It features a trade show that offer the best in canine products and feature sessions and seminars conducted by reputed dog breeders. These sessions are invaluable in generating awareness on nurturing and breeding dogs. Apart from the trade show, the Crufts dog show has increased in its size and scope to include many new aspects of canine life as it is today.

A Celebr…

How to Find a Professional Dog Handler

It’s a great pleasure to own a dog which has earned the status of a ‘champion’ or ‘grand champion’ in competitive dog shows. It starts with having a purebred dog, but that is only the beginning. Your dog has all the qualities which are needed to woo the judges but you need someone who can represent your future champion in the show.

How about the idea of finding a professional dog handler to show your dog?

Professional dog handlers are skilful, trained experts who excel in the art of showing dogs. Their expertise plays a key role in turning a participant dog into a champion. But before you reach a decision and hire someone to handle your dog, know more about a professional dog handler and their job basics.

What Does a Dog Handler Do?

The job of a professional dog handler is much more than taking your dog to the show ring and teaching ordinary gaits. Professional show dog handlers kick-off their assignment with the grooming of the d…

Becoming a Professional Dog Handler

Have you ever been to a dog show? If yes, you must have seen those skillful dog handlers who take care of the cute, cuddly show dogs?

Most are actually trained professionals who have expertise in the art of handling dogs. Considering the increased number of dog shows and competitions everywhere, dog handling is seen as a profession with great money. As long as you don’t mind a little hard work!

If you enjoy the company of canines, can’t get enough of them and possess an expertise in grooming and keeping these four-footed creatures under control, you can make good money by becoming a professional dog handler.

Essentially, professional dog handlers are hired by dog owners and breeders in dog shows to present their dogs more smartly and stylishly during the championship.

Where to Get Training

Becoming a professional dog handler has nothing to do with years or even months of long trainings and lengthy classes. However, quality ex…

Eukanuba Dog Show

The Eukanuba Dog Show – It Goes Beyond A Dog Fest! If you are among those who feel that Fashion Shows are the only shows which make your TVs useful and interesting, make a little change in your thought process and pay attention to America’s most talked about Dog show. For most of us the Eukanuba National Championship is a style parade of all the cute, gorgeous pups of the world - whether they are long or pocket-sized, active or sleepy, muscular or delicate. For dog breeders and handlers it is a chance to show off the best in dog breeding. Bringing almost 150 dog breeds to the event, The Eukanuba Dog Show is organized by American Kennel Club (AKC) in collaboration with the famous dog food brand Eukanuba. Started in 2001, The Eukanuba Dog Show is a world-class sporting event. Here, a dog comes in and makes spectators aware of its different attributes and unique features. For example, a poodle comes here to display her beauty in front of the world while a sporty Lab comes…