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As the founder of Dog Show Mentor, Lee Whittier helps owner handlers become more knowledgeable, confident, and competitive through education, mentorship, and a strategic approach to showing dogs. Her work encourages exhibitors to look beyond the ribbon, better understand their dogs and the judging process, and continually improve their skills both inside and outside the ring. Lee brings more than three decades of experience in purebred dogs to her mentoring, writing, and judging. An experienced Best in Show breeder and exhibitor, former AKC Executive Field Representative, and internationally respected judge, she now judges multiple Groups at prestigious dog shows throughout the United States and internationally. A regular contributor to SHOWSIGHT, Lee received the 2026 Dog Writers Association of America Award for Op-Ed or Commentary, taking top honors in the category for her SHOWSIGHT article. Lee lives in Vancouver, Washington, where she enjoys her Tibetan Terriers, gardening, and hiking. To learn more about expanding your dog show horizons, contact Lee at: Lee@DogShowMentor.com.
Meet the Judges
Interview with Working Group Judge Lee Whittier – Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge?
Dog Show Community
I recently had an experience that left me with lingering thoughts and reflections about the endemic elitism in the sport of dogs.
Dog Shows
Are You Distinguishable from Pro Handlers ? | Language Reframe: “The Handler Presented Professionally!” We sometimes hear the critique
Meet the Owner Handlers
Learning to Learn, Teach and Mentor | Every step along my 30-year journey as a dog show owner handler, judge, and mentor has evolved from
Meet the Owner Handlers
Movement is an essential element of Breed Type, not a separate quality! The position I’m presenting may not be embraced by all, and there may
Meet the Owner Handlers
If you’re the kind of person who races back to your set-up after a loss to create a new “battle plan,” you have a growth mindset.
Meet the Owner Handlers
Regardless of how dogs are raised, they are almost always responsive to one thing. I call that one thing “The Love Connection.”
Meet the Owner Handlers
In the dog show world, the show ring is where the magic happens. By stepping into the show ring, you are physically stepping onto a stage.
Dog Shows
Olympian’s Mindset | How does this apply to dog shows? With a growth mindset and a positive attitude, you too can make it to the podium.
Breed Conservation
Take control of your dog! There are two kinds of people in this world. There are leaders and there are followers. Which are you?
Dog Shows
The Westminster Kennel Club announces the following changes to its judging panel for the 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Presented by Purina Pro Plan® at Lyndhurst, a National Trust for Historic Preservation property, in Tarrytown, New York, on June 12-13, 2021.
Meet the Owner Handlers
Showsight Magazine is proud to have launched this unique live broadcast series designed to help Owner Handlers succeed in and out of the ring! In this inagural episode, Host Dan Sayers chats with Host Lee Whittier about the foundation and basics of her “Dog Show Mentor” program. The show is simultaneously broadcast EVERY Wednesday at […]
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The best of SHOWSIGHT editorials, weekly wins, and breeder commentary — delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning.
