Britt Jung | The Owner Handler

Interview with Britt Jung, The Owner Handler

Britt Jung

1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?

I grew up with Vizslas; my Father brought home our first one when I was four and my family has never been without one, even though I have also owned Pointers. My Mother took me to the St. Hubert’s Kennel Club match show when I was 11. It was just down the road from where we lived and she thought it might be fun. The second year we attended that same match show, but that time I’d figured out that lots of people knew something I didn’t know. So, I told my Mom that I wanted to learn how to do what the other people knew how to do. My Mom found Fred Olson’s handling class and that’s how it all started.

2. How many years in dogs? In your breed?

So, that makes over 50 years with Vizslas.

3. Do you attend show handling classes? Have you attended in-person handling seminars?

I do attend handling classes, especially when I have young dogs or we need a tune-up! I’ve attended seminars as well.

4. Have you found virtual learning tools to be helpful? Videos? Websites? Social Media? AKC Canine College?

Try it all and figure out what works for you, but what’s been most useful to me is to bring a specific problem to a handler I respect and ask for their help. Tim Thomas, Carissa Shimpeno, Ania Kelly—they taught me things that I’ll never forget. I recently bought a handling lesson with Valerie Nunes-Atkinson as part of a fundraiser at my National. How fun will that be?! I enjoy watching handlers, and as a judge, I get to really witness up close the best of the best of handlers.

5. Do you compete in the National Owner-Handled Series? Are rankings important to you?

I do compete in the NOHS, but not all the time. Depending on how we do in the Breed ring, showing in two Groups can be a lot. Rankings are a double-edged sword. They are motivating, but they can also create some unintended consequences and motivations that aren’t positive. If I win the breed, sometimes I decline the OH ribbon to give someone else an opportunity to show in the NOHS Group.

6. In which class(es) are you most likely to enter your dog(s)?

I mostly show in Bred-By or BOB, depending on what my dog is eligible for. I don’t think anyone wants to be known as being “good for an Owner Handler.”

7. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler?

My dear friend, Ida Kavafian, and again, the people I mentioned above. You need people who can watch and video you and give honest feedback. Several years ago, I was at a National and suddenly had to show a bitch I bred. I had never shown her before so I took her to a handling class that Alessandra Folz was leading the night before I was to show her. Alessandra looked over at me and said, “You’re not going to win with her doing that!” and I thought, “Oh, wow, I’d better step it up!” The next day we won Winners Bitch at the National.

8. What are the benefits of competing with your breed(s) as an Owner Handler?

Our grooming is simple. That’s a huge advantage. At the same time, conditioning is really important and I take it seriously. There’s nothing to hide, so make sure you do whatever you can to be prepared and don’t give a judge any reason in your control to look negatively upon your exhibit.

9. How are you encouraging new exhibitors to participate in the sport?

I try to help people I see who may be intimidated or struggling. I’m a Juniors judge as well, so I try to encourage young people, especially those who are novices. I’m a former teacher, so I honestly love mentoring more than showing. So, if you see me at a show, don’t hesitate to ask me for help.

10. Are there any suggestions you’d like to pass along about the presentation of your breed(s).

Conditioning, both physical and mental, are so important. If you have an inexperienced or unsure dog, walk them around the showgrounds for at least 30 minutes, do 50 down and backs, ask 10 people to go over them, play games—all before you go in the ring. If you have a bored dog, make sure they are not sitting ringside for an hour before the ring time. It’s so hard to watch a young dog come in the ring that hasn’t been set up for success.

11. What are your goals as an Owner Handler? Is there a victory that has eluded you?

I’ve never won a Best in Show.

12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as an Owner Handler?

Oh, gosh, I am having the most fun when I’m at a show with friends. On more than one occasion, I forgot my suit or forgot an article of clothing and had to borrow a suit or shirt from a friend. Make sure you meet people at the shows; make friends; offer to help handlers. You too will forget something at home one day and you’ll learn so much!