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LISA MOIR, 22 YEARS OLD
DISTRICT/COUNTY WHERE YOU LIVE: Penicuik (near Edinburgh), Scotland
HOW DID YOU START OFF JUNIOR HANDLING? :
My aunt showed Miniature Poodles and we went along to a local show to watch her. Back then junior handling entries were taken on the day so my sister and I had a go and that was us hooked!
DO YOU TAKE PART IN ANY OTHER DOGGY ACTIVITIES (OBEDIENCE,AGILITY,FLYBALL,ETC)? :
All our dogs have had basic obedience training but we’ve never competed. Agility is something I’ve always wanted to have a go at but just haven’t got round to it yet!
HOW MANY DOGS DO YOU LIVE WITH,OWN AND/OR SHOW? :
We have 5 dogs. Puff my 13 year old German Spitz Mittel, Buster (Puff’s son) 12yrs old, Maggie 12yrs German Spitz Klein, Tails 10yrs Japanese Spitz and Barney 6yrs German Shepherd Dog (my dads ‘pet’).
WHICH ONES DO YOU USE FOR JUNIOR HANDLING AND WHY?:
I have always used Puff for junior handling as she is my dog. After my first go at handling with my aunts Poodle I was hooked and desperate for a dog of my own to show. After a lot of begging and pestering my mum and dad got me Puff for my 9th birthday, my family’s 1st show dog. Puff absolutely loves being in the show ring and I love showing her! We both started showing together so have learned the trade together. There is a rapport between us as she really is my best friend.
WHAT BREEDS HAVE YOU SHOWN BEFORE IN COMPETITION?:
German Spitz Mittel, German Spitz Klein, Japanese Spitz and Miniature Poodle.
TELL US ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE (SHOWING STYLE) YOUR BREED IN JUNIOR HANDLING CLASSES?:
German Spitz and Japanese Spitz are both free standing. They are stood 4 square, with tail and ears up. Being a small breed they are examined on the table. I’ve always shown them on a long lead with a little tension in it.
WHAT DO YOU NORMALLY WEAR IN COMPETITION?:
Trouser suit. I think the overall picture is very important particularly in competition where there is very little to separate handlers, small things can give you that winning edge.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST ACHIEVEMENTS?:
Richmond semi final Utility 6-11 yrs 1993, Scottish Junior Handler of the Year 1996, KCJO Junior Handler of the Year 2001 16-17 yrs.
Have gained champion status with both my German Spitz Mittel ‘Puff’ and with our home bred Japanese Spitz ‘Tails’.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE OCCASION SO FAR?:
Winning Puff’s 3rd and crowning CC at the age of 13. I won the Scottish Junior Handler of the Year final on the Friday night and then made Puff up to a champion on the Sunday – what a weekend! It made it even nicer that her 1st and 3rd CC’s were won on home soil at Scottish Kennel Club May show.
IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE 'TOP TIP' TO SHARE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?:
Practice makes perfect, enjoy what you’re doing, but most importantly love your dog with all you’ve got.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT JUNIOR HANDLING?:
The number of friends I have made through the sport has been great. Being older now I love watching the youngsters coming up and the sheer joy they have showing.
WHAT DISAPPOINTS YOU IN THE WORLD OF JUNIOR HANDLING?:
Unsportsmanlike behaviour. Smile and be gracious win or lose.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO BRING UP? :
We all have feelings, some days you win some days you lose. I think everyone should take the good with the bad; it’s not the end of the world if you don’t win. Remember the dog you take home is always your best in show and at the end of the days its only one judges opinion. Enjoy what you do, that’s the most important thing.
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