THE PROFESSIONAL HANDLERS?
Yes, they win, and very frequently. But just consider it a moment. They work at their jobs all day, every day. not just at weekend shows, as do most of the people who complain about how much winning is done by the professionals. The REAL PROS, that is ... really work at their jobs. Of course, we should all know the difference between the REAL PROS and the so-called handlers/trainers that we have around in this country. Given an equally good dog on which you spend as much time as do the professionals, and when you learn how to show a dog well, you will win just as often as they do and even more in this country. So let's not complain when professionals beat us, but let's watch them, learn their secrets, equal their knowledge and ability and you'll come out on top. More than likely, we owners know more about our dog than what they know. That is the winning edge. Aside from costing you a lot less, I believe you will have a great deal more fun if you show your own dog and you will learn a lot faster like I did.
In a way, it is unfortunate that there are too many owners who are so anxious to show their dog that they can not wait until a dog is mature or in the proper coat or weight before they start to show. The professional is in a much better position in this regard. He can wait until a dog is ready to be shown because, if he is a good handler, his services are much in demand-he may even have a waiting list. He can choose from many dogs which one he thinks is really ready to go.
When a person employs a professional handler to show his dog, he is inclined to come to the show only if it is convenient, because he knows the dog will be properly cared for and handled. I once was told straight out in my face by a good friend of mine, mentor ... while I was kicking myself back in the circuit between 1996 and 1997. He wasn't aware that I've been in and out of the dog sport so of course, he took me as a novice. He said, "You have good dogs. Maybe, you should change handlers. Your dogs are Best-In-Show materials, it's your handler ... " Of course, I just smiled at him.
Take me for example, I rarely handle my own dogs. I also never changed handlers. Actually, I employ all the handlers now considering that we have a minimum of 7 dogs entered in a breed per show but I show the one I want to get the trophy. And yes, I win over the professional handlers when I handle my own dogs. And guess what, my dogs much prefer to be handled by me
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