Southampton & District Canine Association

Junior Handling Association

A lovely job from these junior handlers, some of which it was their first time, they all had the foundation work to make some excellent junior handlers – they will be ones to watch out for in the future. They all were confident in speaking and talking about their dog and had the confidence to handle their dogs, some of which there was a decent height to dog ratio so very pleased on their confidence at the end of the lead.

Junior Handling Association 6 – 11 years (7,4)

1^st Jack Davies – Great young handler, handling a difficult dog for handling class who just wanted to put it’s head down, carried on and presented the patterns correctly and watched the judge very well to ensure they were in the correct spot. Just needed to move at the dogs own speed and try and lure the dog from the floor with food rather than the lead, just missing out on top honours due to this.

2^nd Eva Simonelis Lovely handler they blew me away with their pronunciation of their dogs breed, something I will confess I butcher regularly, did a really good job of doing their pattern work and reassuring their dog. Neatening it up will come with time and practice.

3^rd Troy Howlett

Junior Handling Association – 12 – 16 years (2,1)

1^st Isabella Carter – lovely hander, stacks her dog to perfection, did the correct pattern and had good dog knowledge. Just needs to remember the Golden Rule of not getting between the judge and dog, only once but as you progress up the levels that will be something to keep in mind. Did a fantastic job in the challenge, kept a level head and remained very calm in her handling – clinched her Best JHA for her lovely sympathetic handling of her Beagle. Best Junior Handler

Adult Handling Association

I asked more than your typical class from the next three age groups, a reverse triangle, a T and an L from the final class plus changing and moving sides. I also asked for either the teeth or the bite, as well as the amount a dog has and a small bit about their breed of dog.

I wanted them to show me a bit more basic handling knowledge with more in-depth patterns and knowledge of their dog’s original purpose as well as some canine knowledge. There was a mixed result from this however with some of the class numbers it was certainly beneficial in decision making. One thing I will say is if you aren’t sure on your patterns, think of it drawn on a piece of paper, don’t think someone else is doing it right, if you have some doubt go for it – the judge might not be asking you all to do the same pattern in some cases! The patterns are really good to practice regardless of if you do handling or not, it really gets dog and handler working together as one.

Some really tough classes and my final three certainly made it hard to pick who would take top spot, I had to have them re-present and throw all I could at them and they certainly made it very hard to split – fantastic handlers in so many classes. Certainly some I wouldn’t want to come up against – well done everyone!

Adult Handling Association 17 – 29 (4,1)

1^st Abbeygail Longhurst – Really beautiful presentation of their dog, I couldn’t fault these in their class whatsoever, knowledge, patterns and manner was spot on in the class and flew through what I asked of them whilst getting the best from their dog.

Was fighting hard for top honours, I had to ask for extra moves and work them hard to make my decision in the Challenge and any day I felt they could swap with the Best Handler, they made it very hard to split!

2^nd Abbie Dandridge – A really good attempt on the pattern, good knowledge of the dog and teeth, just some tidying up and some pattern work would have those top places.

3^rd Ryan Percey

Adult Handling Association 30 – 59 (7,3)

1^st Ann-Marie Taylor – Very rarely have I seen a handler make zero mistakes, this handler was faultless in the class – took everything I asked of them. They presented their pattern work, knowledge and dog to absolute perfection.

In the challenge I threw everything I could think of at the final three, even asking them to re-present for another pattern and they remained calm and continued to present their dog to the absolute best – I was hard on my patterns today to see who would come out on top and this handler did not disappoint. I judged them in 2021 and looking back at my critiques from then to now, this handler has come such a long way – wonderful to see hard work come to fruition. Best Adult Handler

2^nd. Julie Rivers – Lovely handler, got the most out of their dog and correct with their knowledge and pattern work – only thing on the day was to remember to check if the judge has moved your dog’s feet when they have gone over them only thing to split 1 and 2 in the class, was very close.

3^rd Becky Seviour

Adult Handling Association 60 + (11,0)

1^st Ruth Waller – Really good knowledge of their dog knowledge and handling, it was a tough class as I asked for an ‘L’ and this handler was one of three to present the right pattern and did so very smoothly. Always where I had moved to and moved their dog appropriately on both the pattern and in the line up.

Only one thing to nitpick for this handler was in the challenge, just need to check which side would be best to go away from the judge and around the ring as often you will find it may be best to go on the left side of the dog and swap back to the right upon reaching the fence line, just to make sure you don’t block the dog at any point.

2^nd Mary Ruffles – Another who presented the right patten, just needed to neaten the handling in some areas up to progress to top spot, great knowledge and looked where I moved each time.

3^rd Sue Tubb

- Kittiana Portly French (Bincombefarm)