Quote Originally Posted by RedyreRotties

good and interesting points. (no pun intended...)
Hehe

I'm not going to put handlers on my dogs either (unless I have too many in one show and need some help lol). It's definatly intimidating when you go up against those who have been handling forever or handle professionally. I'm lucky that most of the well-renowned Belgian handlers around here have bad reputations (because their Belgians tend to bite judges ), so in the breed ring I won't ever do too badly, it's the group ring that might get me in the end. But last year Visa went up against that collie breeder's dog (she's a VERY well renowned handler) and BEAT her dog. She was LIVID.

I completely agree, training has so much to do with it. Right now we are starting to train by having the dog stand on dumbells. From day one, Visa's puppy will be taught to be a show dog. I can't wait to take him down to City Park and have people go over him.