Dog Shows Through the Eyes of a Handler

It's 8 a.m. and the National Anthem starts blaring from the loudspeakers. The first breeds will begin just moments after the last note echoes across the grounds. We arrived late last night after traveling hours in our RV with kennels of energetic dogs stacked in the back. To say the least, it was unpleasant to wake up at 5 a.m. to begin feeding, walking, grooming dogs, and getting all dressed up in formal wear. By 8, the first dogs are ringside and the others are waiting in the wings. It really takes at least two people to handle multiple dogs at a show because breed call times are often right on top of each other - if not at the very same time. It is not uncommon to see a handler sprinting across the grounds, snatching their next dog from an assistant, to make the next breed call. There is always a backup handler (that's me), and often that backup takes the dog into the ring until the handler can show up. As a spectator, you are so busy watching the dogs you may not take very much time to watch what's going on at the other end of the least. I suggest you try that sometime; You just may get a laugh or two! From last minute handler swaps to wardrobe malfunctions, handlers deal with a lot in the ring but are certain to never let it impact the dog's performance.

Outside of the ring, you will first encounter a sea of grooming tables, tack boxes, dog bathes, and blow dryers in the grooming areas. Some dogs, the "wash and wears," require only a quick wipe and trim, while other dogs take constant grooming to get that perfect look. The scene is the same out in the parking lot where owners and handlers have brought their cars, vans, and RVs and set up kennels and grooming areas. You will see many fancy set ups here and RVs that cost hundreds of thousands everywhere. All around the rings and show buildings you will find the vendors, which, at a larger show are numerous and diverse. Get a massage, a cup of coffee, and a new chew toy all in the same place! Get your favorite scissors sharpened and get a picture with your dog. The vendors are one of the best parts of a dog show for attendees and depend on your patronage and support.