The Best Of Everything. –words and pictures by Anna Cooke
Every January, one of the best dog shows takes place over a two-week period in Brooksville at Florida Classic Park. Competitors come from all over the world
with a self-deprecating sense of humor seem to be the most successful, again both in and out of the ring. We met a few adult handlers who were still kids at heart,
learned through Junior Showmanship will serve these youngsters well throughout their lives. Juniors are judged on their abil- ity to present or handle their dogs within the same formats and guidelines as those who compete in the breed ring. The qual- ity of their presentation, not the dog, is judged. Juniors are encouraged to develop their handling abilities, dress appropriately, conduct themselves in a proper manner, and present their dog in a well-groomed condition. Any boy or girl who is nine years old
Hope and Trinity, her Newfoundland, are from New Smyrna. Her goal is to show at
Westminster in 2018. Brianna, 11 years-old, and her eight-month-old Chow. Her brother, Noah, is 12 years-old and the owner/handler of Carlo, a nine-month-old Corgi. They live in Lakeland. “All the dogs I handle always remember that I carry treats in my left pocket,” said Noah, “whether or not I have treats in my pocket, the dogs always go right to my pocket.”
to show their dogs at the Florida Gulf Coast Cluster. The best part of going to an all-breed dog show with thousands of beautiful dogs is watching the Junior han- dlers. Whatever the level of skill, it really is poetry in motion. Many of the adult handlers seem to
be more caught up in the beauty contest of the shows. The kids, while serious about what they’re doing, are still able to have fun and enjoy what they’re doing. And that means the dogs are having fun too. Those
enjoying the outdoors and loving the opportunity to be work-playing with their dogs. Like Jeff and Zoo (as in A Day At The Zoo). His Brussels Griffon was already a champion at little more than two years of age. The pair traveled from their home in Rhode Island to compete in the Cluster. “We’re going to compete at Westminster,” Jeff told us. “We talk all the time, and I told him recently that it’s time to put your big pants on.” The values, attitudes and responsibility
and under the age of 18 the day of the show is eligible for Junior Showmanship Competition. The best way to gauge inter- est and to see what is involved in junior handling is to watch the Junior Showmanship classes at a dog show, like the Gulf Coast Classic Clusters. The youngster will see how other kids take part at all levels of competition, how they have developed friendships and have learned to compete. The one common element one notices when watching the Juniors is how they are able to accept their wins and loss- es in a gracious manner. They’re knowl- edgeable and willing to share their experi- ences with someone new to the sport. There are several ways to learn how
to show a dog. Attending breed handling classes given by local kennel clubs is one option. Another source is the Florida 4-H, the statewide youth development program of the University of Florida IFAS Extension. Their Florida 4-H Dog Project teaches kids about raising, training dogs and showing dogs. Visit
Florida4h.org
Junior handler Shannon and Gamble, her three-year-old Rat Terrier.
78 THE NEW BARKER
Junior handler Noah and his nine- month-old Corgi, Carlo.
Junior handler, 17-year-old Amanda and Jolene, her three- year-old Cattle Dog.
Junior handler Hope and her Newfoundland, Trinity.
www.TheNewBarker.com
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