Interview with Breeder/Owner Handler: Hannah L. Loonsk, VMD

Interview with Breeder/Owner Handler: Hannah L. Loonsk, VMD

I am originally from Buffalo, New York, but have lived in the Washington, D.C. area off and on since 2006. My primary professional interest is theriogenology (animal reproduction). I have been working as an associate veterinarian with Dr. Robert Scott Dove (Foxcliffe Scottish Deerhounds) and Dr. Natalia Samaj Kunze DACT (Cross the Rubicon Kerry Blue Terriers) at Companion Animal Clinic since 2021.

I received my VMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (2021), as well as a Business Certificate with Honors from the Veterinary Business Management Association. I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Biology (2016).

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

Hannah L. Loonsk: The Irish Water Spaniel permanently captured my mom’s attention from the pages of The Treasury of Dogs, a book published by her father’s (my grandfather’s) publishing company. She acquired her first IWS, a bitch called Putney (Gallagher’s Putney O’Rourke Am CD Can CDX), in 1982.

My earliest childhood memory is climbing up onto the couch so that our male IWS, Jameson (Am/Can CH Donnybrook’s Mr. Jameson CD) wouldn’t run me over when he barreled into the room! When I was 10 years old, we got another male, Marley (CH Realta’s Irishtafarian TDI CGC). I started Junior Showmanship when he was under a year old and outweighed me. As with any young IWS, he was a handful! I was lucky to encounter some judges who appreciated the job I did with a difficult dog. It was frustrating to compete against other Juniors with retired specials, but you do the best you can with the dog you have. I adored him just as much as he adored my mom… ha!

2. How many years in dogs? How many as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder?

Hannah L. Loonsk: I have been showing IWS for 21 years as of this coming May. Quickly, I preferred the Breed ring to Junior Showmanship. In middle school and high school, I was showing any IWS that I could get my hands on and finished several for friends within the breed. Marley continued to make appearances in Veteran classes until he was 15 years old!

In the summer of 2017, I knew that I was starting vet school in the fall. I was ready for an IWS of my own, but did not feel that the timing was right for an 8-week old puppy. I knew whom to bother for a really good one and bother I did… incessantly.

3. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler? As a Breeder?

Hannah L. Loonsk: My mentor is Mr. Irish Water Spaniel himself, Gregory Siner (Poole’s Ide IWS). He has been tremendously successful as a breeder/owner/handler for over 40 years. On top of that, he has been endlessly generous in his willingness to share quality dogs with others who want to show and breed IWS.

After several months of phone calls, each of which left me with butterflies in my stomach, he entrusted me to co-own a very special seven-month-old bitch under a few conditions. Really, those conditions meant that I got him too—what more could I possibly want?

As requested, I flew out to Seattle to pick her up. She had been in training at the Academy of Canine Behavior (Colleen McDaniel, Whistlestop IWS). Memorably, Colleen picked me up in her green, convertible Corvette and whisked me back to the house where I would finally meet Simone (GCHS Poole’s Ide Say No More CD RA JH DS TKI CGC WC).

I spent a few days learning from the instructors there and then flew home with her. The rest was history, as they say. Seven years later she is a multiple Group winner, multiple Best in Specialty show winner, NOHS Best in Show winner, recipient of IWSCA All-Around and Quintessential Awards, IWSCA Veteran Sweepstakes winner, and a grandmother. Greg and I just co-bred our fifth litter together and he is not just a mentor anymore, but family.

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

Hannah L. Loonsk: I absolutely do! They are invaluable for my own practice, but also to the dogs. IWS cannot be left on the shelf. They need constant, consistent work and socialization to show their best.

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

Hannah L. Loonsk: Although I have not yet delved into the materials in the AKC Canine College, I have found videos of myself showing my dogs to be a very important resource. It allows you to see what could be improved and what the picture you presented actually looked like. Sometimes it isn’t what you would expect!

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

Hannah L. Loonsk: I do compete in NOHS and value the rankings. We are lucky to have many owner-handlers in our breed and I think the consensus has been appreciation for this added opportunity for recognition.

7. How important is the Bred-By Class to you? How important are Specialties?

Hannah L. Loonsk: Bred-By is very important to me, as are Specialities. Our most competitive entries gather for Specialties and these are the wins that I cherish the most. Greg has taught me that special dogs should finish with special wins and we plan for that.

8. Is it a challenge to compete with your breed as a Breeder/Owner Handler?

Hannah L. Loonsk: Of course it is. It is a rare sport that amateurs compete head-to-head against professionals, but good competition makes us work harder. I am personally driven by the desire to do right by the beautiful dogs that I get to live with. I work to present the best I can from Poole’s Ide in both the show ring and the field.

9. How important is the Breeder/Owner Handler to the future of the sport? To your breed?

Hannah L. Loonsk: They are very important, particularly in rare, low-entry breeds such as ours where majors are built through the “Irish Water Spaniels-Where are the points???” Facebook group. Although we do NOT aim to become mainstream popular, it is important for the breed to have visibility and mentorship for good homes and young, aspiring exhibitors and breeders. We are lucky to have a welcoming and active breed club, as well as National Specialties that rotate regions and showcase the versatility of the breed.

10. What advice would you give to Owner Handlers who are thinking of breeding their dog(s)?

Hannah L. Loonsk: Lean on your breeder for mentorship. If you don’t find it there, ask the advice of a breeder whom you admire. Be diligent about health testing. You have a duty to the people who come to you for a puppy to be up to date on the recommended testing for your breed and make sound decisions. OFA clearances should be completed BEFORE you breed the dog.

Good husbandry is essential for healthy dams and puppies. Pregnancy is an athletic feat and tremendously taxing. Your bitch should be in good health and weight prior to you asking this of her. Be prepared and connected with your veterinarian. Take the time to develop this relationship and make a plan together so that they can best assist you in an emergency.

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

Hannah L. Loonsk: Goals are what help you get out of bed at 5 a.m. to train before work. Some goals are small—like teaching a new skill or growing coat. Some goals are big—like breeding an all-breed Best in Show winner and National Specialty winner. Some goals are dog-specific—like putting a Senior Hunter title on Georgia (CH Poole’s Ide On My Mind CD RI JH DS CGC WCX). Then there are goals for others—bringing new people into the breed and being a resource for them. Most importantly, breeding healthy, sound, beautiful dogs to be wonderful show dogs, hunting partners, and companions.

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

Hannah L. Loonsk: At our 2023 National Specialty in Minnesota, I was showing in 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy, just as Conformation was kicking off. I was stacking my puppy and suddenly I had two! Her littermate had gotten loose in the ring and hustled over to join us. The judge was momentarily concerned before we explained that she had lived with me until recently.