Junior handlers hold their own at P.A. dog show

Aiden said, with a smile, that winning was the toughest part for him.

Both have won their fair share of ribbons and prizes, and go to more than a dozen shows a year.

“Kids can win too,” 15-year-old Kate Leitch said. “I don’t really feel too separate from the group. We all love and show dogs.”

Leitch got involved after a fateful viewing of the Westminster Dog Show three years ago. Inspired, she found a friend whose family showed dogs, and got involved through them.

She won second during her first time in the junior handling class, even though she admitted to not really knowing what she was doing.

Juniors like Leitch often find themselves competing against professional handlers, but she said it’s not too intimidating.

“Sometimes I get more nervous because they’re judging you and not the dog. But when you’re handling your dog in the ring you think, ‘well these are professional handlers…’ so you aren’t always prepared to win.”

While it feels good to win, Leitch said taking part in a dog show was more about the experience, especially when you’re handling a dog that isn’t your own.

At this tournament she left her show dogs at home, and was showing her friend’s dogs. “You get experience with all kinds of dogs, and you never know what’ll happen.”

The dog show continues Sunday at the Prince Albert Exhibition Armoury.

ssterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit

by Spencer Sterritt

Junior handlers hold their own at P.A. dog show

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