If you are the owner of a pure bred dog then it may be that you would like to enter your dog for shows. Some people own dogs just for this reason rather than as a family pet. If you enjoy working with your purebred and decide that you want to train both the dog and yourself for shows then you will have to spend a good deal of time in preparation and discipline. If however, you think that your dog should be entered into the world of shows but do not have the time, experience or dedication necessary to train him, then you may consider hiring one of the many professional dog show handlers that are available.

Professional dog show handlers are highly experienced professionals who have often spent much of their lives working with the animals. They have a passion for their work and dedicate many hours to achieving good results at dog shows. They are competitive but will always have the welfare of the dogs foremost in their minds and will never let competition come before the dog's mental and physical health and well being.

Depending upon the breed of your dog, it is not too difficult to find professional dog show handlers who will be willing to assess your dog and let you know whether they feel that there is potential for showing. Do not be too alarmed if your pet is turned down as a show dog. There are many stipulations regarding the rules of the show ring and all these must be adhered to. Age, size and colouring are all considerations and obviously your dog must have all the necessary paperwork to prove identity, breeding and ownership. If the handler believes that your dog is a suitable candidate for showing then the hard work can begin.

Professional dog show handlers have to be in constant contact with your regarding the training and condition of the dog. They will teach you the best way to care for the dogs coat, teeth etc and will give you exercises for him which must be carefully followed so that you do not undo all the hard work that the handler puts in. You must do just what the handler tells you if your dog is going to make it in the show ring. Do not forget that a handler will charge quite a substantial fee to help you and your dog reach a high standard and you would be foolish if you did not follow up the advice that they give you. It may be that the dog will spend some time with the handler, especially during training time prior to shows. In the ring the dog must be highly disciplined and respond to the handler very strictly. This can only be achieved if the have a good relationship and this will mean spending a lot of time together.

If you wish to contact one of the professional dog handlers that specialise in your breed, you should contact the Kennel Club or the Professional Handlers Association. This way you can be sure that the handler will be a highly experienced and reliable trainer.

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Ellen Perry is an all breed dog handler for AKC dog shows