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 dog. They groom every dog in accordance with the breed standards.

The most important part of a handler’s job is to show the dog in the ring. Dog handlers move the dog in the entire ring to highlight its best features and attributes. This eventually helps the participant pup in getting good remarks and top marks from the judging jury.

After showing the dog in the show ring, a professional dog handler stays alert for judging instructions and also periodically grooms the dog as needed throughout the show. It helps your dog’s winning chances by being attractively presented at all times of the competition.

Apart from these tasks, many professional dog handlers also provide daily boarding and show grooming services for pets.

How to Find the Best Dog Handler

The success of your dog in a show depends both on the dog’s natural characteristics and its presentation. A nicely exhibited dog attracts everyone’s attention, including the judge’s. Thus, if you want the top position for your pup, it becomes necessity to hire an excellent show dog handler.

• Before hiring a professional handler, you should do some research. You can talk to a number of dog handlers and evaluate their skills to find the best show dog handler. You should also observe their grooming method, ask about their fee structure, and look at their ring behavior, etc.
• One you have found a handler, you must pay attention to the service package offered by your handler to you. Keep in note that the arrangements must work for both you and your pet.  A winning dog handler can be very expensive.  Some owners will spend upwards of $100,000 to champion a dog.  Cost aside, you want to make sure that your dog is comfortable and is treated well by the handler.
• Be sure to have a written contract between you and your dog handler.   There are lots of “extras” in dog handling and you could be in for a surprise.

If you want to improve your dog’s chances of becoming a champion, you should consider a professional dog handler.