Questions to dog show people

I was wondering how a person would become a dog show judge? Also, how much is the average cost of entering a show? Do most handlers do showing full time? Do they make enough money to live off or is it mostly a hobbie? Thanks.

• Becoming a Licensed AKC judge is a very involved process, taking at least ten years, if not longer. First, you must fulfill the core requirements required to get your very first breed to judge. In a "nutshell" this requires that you breed several litters and finish (obtain a Conformation Champion title) on at least one, usually many more, of your dogs - whether you bred it or bought it to show. You must show evidence of involvement in the Sport for that ten year period and exhibit a "working knowledge" of the breed(s) you are applying for. This includes both written and "hands-on" testing by the AKC. You MUST also serve as a Ring Steward for a judge at a Licensed Dog Show. Other ways in which you "exhibit" involvement in the Sport include serving as a judge at Fun Matches and Sanctioned B matches; attending judging seminars provided for the express purpose of educating prospective judges that wish to get licensed for that breed. Also, working as a Professional Handler and "finishing" many dogs (or as an Owner/Breeder?Handler) is one of the best ways to exhibit "involvement" and knowledge in the Sport. This is a very serious process and takes many years of dedication and work.

  As far as entries go the cost of entering a dog show varies from $12.00 to $ 15.00 for puppies (who generally are there for practice and with little expectations of winning) and from $ 17.00 to $ 22.00 for adults and other classes. A Top Professional Handler will charge you from $ 45.00 to $75.00 just to show your dog one day of a show and you'll often have to share in his expenses (hotels, gasoline, meals, etc.) with the owners of the other dogs he may show on a pro-rata basis. So, it can easily cost over $100.00 for you to have your dog shown at one show. A generally well-bred specimen in fairly good competition out with an experienced and competent handler will often take from 12 to 20 shows to obtain a Championship - marginal dogs can take 40 or 50 shows to finish, if at all. So at $1500 to $5000 per dog, how many would you think you could "finish" in a year ?

  So, to answer your other questions, a Top Professional Handler can become "retained" by the Owner/Sponsor of a TOP WINNING DOG to handle it on an exclusive basis. Some retainers go as high as fifty thousand dollars a year and MORE. Most of the Handlers, however, carry a "string" of dogs and either work in pairs or hire assistants, so they can generate a good living. Many of us Owner-Handle our own dogs - as dog breeding/exhibition IS our hobby and the only way we afford all of this is to do as much as we can ourselves.

  You didn't ask but it is NOT UNUSUAL for some of the People who Own/Sponsor the very TOP WINNING dogs to spend SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH YEAR - between entry fees, handling fees and their handlers expenses (some handlers show in California on Friday and then hit the airport to fly and show in Texas somewhere the next day!!) the Advertising Budget (for a top dog is thousands of dollars every month) and even show photographs can cost $ 25.oo apeice.

  The Sport of Purebred Dogs - at its highest level it runs just like Big Business. Best to learn the game from someone you can trust - learning by trial and error is Very Expensive.
  Larry Stanberry - Divine Maltese

  I agree with Larry. Every single one of your professional handlers have been in dogs for a long time, the most successful have been raised in the sport. They are well known for certain breeds, and tend to win more in those breeds. For someone who is not familiar with dog shows who wants to be a handler and make money, I would say that it is impossible to solely handle as a living. I would suggest if it interests you to get involved as a handler that you seek someone in your area that is a professional handler and apply to be an assistant for this person. In my experience, unless you have a love and passion for purebred dogs, you are not going to enjoy handling. Very few handlers make it to the top winning status, having one client foot the bill, paying for flying to five different shows, in five different places in one week. Paying $2500 for the cover of a dog advertising publication for one week. Most handlers, handle a "string" of dogs as Larry said and this consists of showing up to 50 or 60 dogs in one day from 8 am to 5 pm. With help from family members and assistants. These professional handlers know how to groom dogs of every breed and beleive me, that is hard. They have trained as assistants themselves, for many years before becoming professional themselves. I don't know if you watched Westminster, but the man who handled the Japanese Chin ( the dog that won the Toy group) he assisted a professional handler for years and years before he became one himself. He worked very, very hard but it has paid off. He has been involved in purebred dogs since he was born, as his mother was involved for years. I guess I'm just trying to explain that it is difficult to just decide you want to professionally handle. I would encourage, that if you have purchased a dog of show quality, that you talk to the breeder and get their advice on showing your dog. Owner handlers do very well, and everyone has to start somewhere. You'll know once you ! get started if you want to pursue it further, it takes extreme dedication but it can be done!
  Taram

• I would have to admit that you have received very good information from everyone who has responded to you. All good points to con- sider, and I am sure were not meant to discourage you, but to give you a realistic picture of what it involved. I would only add that, if you want something bad enough,are willing to work hard, and be patient, you can do whatever you want.

  My sister-in-law was the first female jockey in the state of Calif. to win a horse race in that state, she had to go to court in 3 other states to get her jockey license because at that time they did not give women jockies, but now she is one of the top quarter horse jockeys and is currently head of the New Mexico Jockey Guild. This didn't happen overnight, but the point is it did happen. So, if you want it, go for it!
  Joeline