This question is at the crux of the perceived Owner-handler vs Professional handler question, and I wish I could give you a succinct, simple answer, but I cannot. Are there judges who seem to always lean towards the professional handler? I would quickly be labeled as a fool if I said no, but it is at the heart of our sport – and community – that we recognize that MOST judges are not like this.

I have been in this community for more than sixty-three years, and throughout all that time there have been judges who could be called “handler-judges” and there were others. Even as a professional handler, there are occasions when it seems to matter at which level of a professional handler you are. I started – like everyone – as an owner-handler, became a professional handler, and then returned to being an owner-handler when I became a judge. When I was exhibiting, I recognized this occasional inequity, and adjusted my entries accordingly.

So, let’s get to the crux of the matter. I remember watching Jane Forsyth when she was handed a dog at ringside that she had not even seen before. The dog was very close to uncontrollable, and almost magically, when Jane put her hands on the dog it began to settle down and look like a completely different dog. There IS such a thing as having a good hand on a dog, and they can feel it. Some of it comes from confidence that is passed down the lead to the dog, and understanding how a dog thinks and reacts. Whether you are a professional or an amateur, this difference exists.

So, what are the primary differences between a professional and an amateur other than being recognizable? Most owner-handlers have a “real” job that has them spending eight or more hours a day to earn a living. Then, often coming home tired, the owner-handler tries to work and practice with her dog. As its name implies, training, conditioning, and showing dogs IS the job of the professional handler, and this is how they earn their living. Instead of spending eight hours a day at an office or work-site, the professional is spending that time with the dogs under their care.

Whereas I would take thirty minutes once or twice a couple of days before a show to groom my dog(s), there were people like George Alston, Laddie Carswell, or Bill Trainor who spent hours and DAYS slowly getting their dogs’ coats in shape and trimmed perfectly. Think that doesn’t make a difference to how a dog looks in the ring? When I was MUCH younger, I could show a dog very well (but my body has since told me it was time to hang up the show lead), and I did my share of winning, but I would never put myself into the category of the elite handlers. I too, had a full-time real job, and could not prepare my dogs coat as well as the “top handlers.”

Taking it a step further, most amateur handlers may spend thirty minutes a day training their dog, while a professional – and oftentimes his/her assistants – works with their dogs every day for as much time as it takes – without overdoing it. And the secret is not just practice. Practice does NOT make perfect – Perfect Practice makes Perfect! And this does not just apply to owners versus professionals. There are many owner-handlers (even breeder-owner-handlers) who are as competitive as are the professionals. Why? Because they spend the same amount of time, practicing and working with their dogs. They have spent years learning how to groom their dogs so they are at their best. And, Yes, they have a “good hand on a dog.”

So, what do you do? Take advantage of that very real edge that YOU have. This YOUR dog. No matter how hard a professional tries, she may never have the rapport and relationship that you can have with your dog. Make the show ring FUN for your dog, and this will show in the ring. You should know better than anyone if your dog is Up or DOWN. You should know if something is bothering her, and you should know which “buttons” to push to get your dog “UP.” You should know which toy or something that will get your dog’s best reaction. Aren’t these things what puts those very successful owner-handlers at the same level – or higher – than professionals? And once you have mastered this, your confidence will rise – and it will go down the lead to your dog.

Here's a tip: have someone video you showing your dog – either at a show or in the ring – so that you can honestly see what the judge sees – and what you may want to do differently. Those who compete in agility do this all the time.

Make sure you truly understand your breed’s standard, and how it should be groomed and presented. Know what your dog’s faults are and how best to minimize them while accentuating your dog’s strengths. Learn to look at and appreciate the dogs who are in the ring with you, and see how their strengths and weaknesses compare with those of your dog. Don’t fall into the trap of automatically thinking that “he wins because he is a professional.” That is a defeatist attitude, and more often than not – is not the truth.

Now, getting back to those few judges who consistently lean towards the professional simply because of who they are – avoid them like the plague! Very simply, you can’t do anything about someone else’s lack of integrity. Thankfully, I KNOW that does not encompass most judges who have paid their dues, and try to do their best. Are we always right? IS anyone ALWAYS right?

And what is right, anyway? Yes, all breeds have a standard to judge by, but there are areas in every breed that allowfor differences of opinion depending upon what a judge thinks are most important to that breed. So, do your homework; watch (with no prejudice) what judges do in the ring, honestly evaluate your dog and the competition, and understand that it is one person’ opinion on that day – and there is always another show. Most of all, show your dog because you love and are proud of her – and learn to enjoy the relationship in the ring. Remember, you are always going home with the best dog.

Good luck.