Handlers - Page 1

Other breeds don't seem to have our "problem", yes... they handle each others dogs at times but money doesn't seem to enter into it.

When you've paid the ever increasing entry fees and taken out a small loan for the fuel to get you to the venue, you then have cough up a substantial amount (win or lose) for a handler.  I don't think too many of us are on the "hourly rate" that some of the handlers expect and it's an extra cost that many cannot afford.

Would handlers be prepared to handle for free?  Would handlers be willing to opt for a "no win no fee" deal?  Would handlers at least, "set" fees for open / Ch shows, i.e. X amount win or lose... even if it's the ticket winner?

Got any ideas that might help reduce the costs of our expensive hobby?

I'm afraid it has become a big business now. I can't ever see a time when the "top" handlers would do it for free, but your suggestion, NO WIN NO FEE is a good one. Many of the less well known handlers in my day did handle for free, as i am sure they do today, but everybody seems to want the better known handlers. Maybe it's just like everything else today, costs an arm and a leg. liz

It's short sighted though Liz, fewer people show these days and the cost is one of the reasons.  If the exhibitors continue to fall in number, there will be fewer people requiring handlers.

I think many people worry about putting an unknown on the end of the lead because they think (rightly?) that their dog... even if it's the best... won't win!

I heard a fantastic suggestion that all the dogs go into the ring and the individual assessments are all done by the same handler or by just the dogs owner!!   Then when the gaiting takes place the dogs could potentially be swapped to different handlers so that the good handlers do get handle the less known dogs and then any bias from handler or ability of handler is removed.

Handlers should not be able to affect a dog's performance to such an extent.  Also if the handler of one dog is known to another dog (dog 2)  and ends up infront of that dog 2 in the ring it could either affect dog 2 postively or negatively so the suggestion of swapping dogs/handlers round would move any possible bias.  Im not sure if double handling can go on in the ring but I bet it does to some degree!

To do a no win no fee deal would cut your nose off to spite your face unless you own TeeJay!

I think the solution here is to support our Jr. Handlers and change the market conditions.  The handlers we hire need to aoy for the expenses they encur getting to the show and make it worth their while to show up.  So long as the demand is there, they will continue to sell their expertise at the higest price, that is the way of the world!  

The only way to stop the monopoly is to become independent of the system and that takes time and training of our home-grown handlers, plus some losses.  Again SUPPORT the Jr. handlers and their training, get your kid involved.

It's not possible for everyone to handle their own dog/s. 

On the basic individual, all the dog has to do is stand for examination and do the general walk up and down.  IF an owner cannot manage this, then how is the dog exercised at home?  Whoever does that daily could do the invidiual and then someone else do the more extensive gaiting work.

I totally agree about supporting and promoting our junior handlers. 

Beepy, a really good handler can make a difference.  Malcolm Griffiths, (I know what he did, but I'm just on about handling) was truly the best handler IMO, he had the ability to get the best out of a dog. 

Do we have many training classes for junior handlers?

Missbeeb , totally agree about the unknown handler on the end of the lead, also you are right that soon there will be nobdy needing an expensive handler if more people stop showing there dogs. So yes, high priced handlers should be thinking about this. Tristake9, you are correct, and many years ago most people did, i was told way back then, " you can't handle your own dog, you need a handler". We of course joined the trend and the rest is history. Certainly this would cut expenses, but it can in todays show ring put you at a disadvantage. Beepy, good post and something worth thinking about. liz