Hi, As soom of you my know I am getting a pure bred white german shepherd pup.  I am planning on showing her.  I live in Canada and here you can show them in speciality classes.  I have never even been to a dog show before so I am thinking about having a handler do the showing in the ring.  She is being trained to be my PSD.  But besides showing her I plan on training her for agility, flyball and anything else I think she will have a fun time in.  What i am wondering is what are the pros and cons of having a handler(besides cost), and the pros and cons of me doing it?

Hi,
I always think that when some one else handles my dog I never have that feeling of absolute joy and satisfaction that I get when I've done it myself and succeed.  But I must admit that the person who does sometimes handle my girl does it much better than myself (doesn't she, Caz?).

GL

As GL said, you never get the real Joy of doing it yourself, wondering "Is it the handler or the dog they are placing"? Also, you will never really learn how to handle at a show until you try it yourself, so you could end up paying a lot for a handler, for many many years, where as taking time to learn how to do it yourself?? Just think of the joy when your dog wins, with YOU handling it? Just my opinion anyway!
Kay

With two of my Pomeranian's two top breeders wanted to show them for me saying that they wd. be made up that way and I said no.  They never did become champions but just being asked by well known people made me know that I had good dogs out there.  Just dont think it's the same for someone else to handle your dog and win than doing it yourself.  The joy of being able to do it yourself is wonderful.  Again, just my own feeling but I'd rather it be me on the end of the line winning than someone else doing it for me.

The US anbd to some Extent Canadian show scene4s are very different to that in UK.  IN USA the serious winning is done by dogs that are heavily campaigned and in the main handled by Proffesional Handlers who are paid to show clients dogs.  Shows are often held in clusters over several days so the dog will go to four shows say the same weekend.

In UK we have shows that last several days that are much bigger, and our breeds are shown on one day, with the majority being handled by their owners or breeders.  Even whenanother person shows the dog it is because they enjoys handling a good dog, and it isn't usually done as a living which in most cases it is in USA and on the European Circuit with the dogs that tour round Europe and the states for a whole season.

I'm afraid Caz doesn't have the "savvy" to get to this board Gerlind!    Emailing stresses her out enough but you must admit she does a very good job of handling.  :D   'Cept Mia, she can't manage her!

It always more of an acheivement to show your dog yourself and I don't really think its worth having a show dog if you do not want to show it yourself.

I always handle my own dogs except for when I can't go to a show then its family (don't have to pay them!)

Rox

Hi again,

remember that some people can't handle their dogs in the ring.

GL

Thank you so much for your replies.  I am still leaning towards a handler though.  But I am saving the dicision till I have gone to my first show.  If I get a handler it won't be because I can't control my own dog.  This dog is being trained up to be my service dog so she will be easily control.  It will be because I can't handle having all those people looking at me while I am in the ring.  I suffer from social anxiety among other things.  So standing and being stared at terrifies me.  But we shall see.  I am putting her into all these activities to help me over come my problems along with getting her to have a good time.

good luck with over coming your problems.  Your doing the right thing.  try and handle first and if you don't like it then get a handler in.  At least that way you know you have tried.

Goodluck in the showing and other activities aswell

Rox

Hi again,

good luck whatever you do, just enjoy your dog and all the good things she will bring into your life.

GL

Thanks for your replies.  They will help me when I start taking her to training classes and such.  I have always done my own training so being in a room of people will be interesting to say the least.  But I only want the best for this little girl so I am going to put her in as many things as I think she will benefit from and enjoy.