What is a professional handler, really?

A professional handler is an individual who will show your dog for a fee.  However, each handler differs from the next in their areas of expertise and knowledge.  One may be an ex-Junior Handler that's just starting out while another may have won Best In Show at Westminster multiple times.  These handler's fees should differ considerably.  Individuals who call themselves a handler should have apprenticed for other handlers as an assistant to learn the craft of handling and caring for show dogs because its far more than what is seen in the show ring. 

What the clients and the public see are handlers in the ring presenting dogs to judges at shows to earn points to that dog's Championship, Grand Championship, or to top rankings. What they don't see is handlers work 24/7 with dogs, there are no breaks much like raising children.  Oh wait!  Kids go to school during week days, as the handler your a full on boarding school for show dogs!  The dogs are our whole lives!  We feed, care and love them as if they are our own.  

Special Diets -

Even though I hate to say it, but show dogs eat better than a good portion of the world.  Good handlers make sure dogs are feed a quality kibble with supplements that will support a healthy dog.  Some handlers are sponsored by top dog food companies like Purina and Eukanuba among others.  These dogs' diets are monitored as if they are top athletes competing in the Olympics, because really they are top athletes.

Exercise -

Like top athletes shows have to maintain a certain athletic physical physique.  To do that some dogs are able to self exercise in play yards with others, while some get work outs on treadmills or bikes.  Others have special work needs from weight exercises like playing tug or pulling to build strength muscles.  Water exercise has hit the scene as another way to keep fitness fun and not repetitive.

Grooming - 

Different breeds require different grooming.  Terriers, poodles, drop coated breeds require daily coat maintenance while short coated breeds may require a bath once a week.  None the less time and skill is required to make the dogs entrusted in a handler's care look their best.

Love & Care -

These are dogs, not machines.  Dog are live, breathing, animals who love with all they have and when they're brought into our lives we give them that same love as they receive at home.  Dogs get one-on-one time and house time and let me tell you I mop and vacuum daily because of hair, mud, and dirt but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

This is a much deeper topic and next time I'll look into the facilities needed to be a professional handler.  Please send ideas for future topics!