Interview with Owner Handler Janet Weerts

Interview with Owner Handler Janet Weerts

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

Janet Weerts: My first introduction to the sport of purebred dogs was via an Obedience training book by Winifred Strickland, which I used to train my first Shetland Sheepdog as a child. Later, in my 20s, I was able to take an actual Obedience training class and, through the instructor’s assistance, began competing with my eventual HIT Obedience dog (again, a Sheltie).

Moving on to Conformation, I was most fortunate to co-own a young bitch with one of the breed’s great breeder/handlers, Sharlene DeFee, who taught me the intricacies of grooming. Much credit for learning to handle must go to the young bitch herself. CH Shu La Le Miss Muffet’s Tuffet, ROM was a natural who DEMANDED attention! I owner-handled her to multiple Group wins/placements (in the days of the combined Working/Herding Group) and finished multiple champions from my two champion bitches (“Tuffet” and her daughter, “Torocco,” both ROM). After a substantial time gap for my “other” life, I have recently re-entered dog sports, first starting with performance (Agility) and then being drawn back to Conformation, this time with a promising Toy Fox Terrier male.

After a substantial time gap for my “other” life, I have recently re-entered dog sports, first starting with performance (Agility) and then being drawn back to Conformation…

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

Janet Weerts: Nearly 20 years of Shelties, beginning with that first pet at age nine to eventually showing/breeding in my mid-20s and early 30s. Those years included a High in Trial Obedience star, a multiple Group winning/placing Sheltie bitch (in the days of no divided Working/Herding Groups), and finishing multiple champions from my two champion Shelties. Then there was a substantial time gap for family and travel, including living/sailing on a boat in the Caribbean for a number of years, to the present day, beginning 12 years ago with my first Agility Toy Fox Terrier to finishing my current youngster who qualified for the 2023 AKC Royal Canin Finals in Orlando in just six months of being competition-age eligible.

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

Janet Weerts: I have not participated in handling classes/seminars, etc., primarily because they were not readily available all those years ago when I first began. Now in Toy Foxes, I have again been most fortunate in having a friend and mentor in the breeder of my young male, Susan Thibodeaux of Kallmee. Presenting a Toy Fox is very different than a Sheltie!

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

Janet Weerts: I do currently compete in the NOHS, having qualified for the AKC/Royal Canin this past December in Orlando. I show on a very limited basis, having just started in March 2023 when my boy became old enough!

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

Janet Weerts: GCH Kallmee The Heartful Dodger (Dickens) was finished solely from the 6-9 Puppy Class.

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

Janet Weerts: In the earlier days, primary resources were mentors, period. I was fortunate with my past mentor in Shelties to learn from Sharlene DeFee (Shu La Le), truly one of the all-time “greats” in breeding, grooming, and presenting the breed. And in recent times, I am MOST fortunate to be entrusted with an outstanding young male bred by Susan Thibodeaux of Kallmee Toy Fox Terriers and to receive her continued guidance (and friendship) in the training and presentation of “Dickens.”

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

Janet Weerts: From the very (Sheltie) beginning, ALL have been owner-handled because, for me, it has always been the joy of participating together with my dog in (various) competitive venues.

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

Janet Weerts: While I myself am a “restarted/new” exhibitor, I make a conscious effort to be supportive of those just starting out or struggling. Good sportsmanship must include kindness to others.

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

Janet Weerts: While a member of the Toy Group, the Toy Fox TERRIER is truly a pint-sized terrier, complete with high prey drive and comparable high intelligence, which is always entertaining but occasionally quite challenging from a handling perspective! For these reasons, I am of the opinion that correct presentation should never ignore the lively, sometimes feisty, character of the breed but rather embrace those differences that set the Toy Fox apart from most of the other Toys. TFTs are not by nature a “statue-stack breed,” staring at length at a piece of food! (And I wouldn’t have it any other way!)

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

Janet Weerts: My current goals are to continue enjoying competition with my youngster and I’m hoping to add a promising new hopeful in the near future. Dickens was recently awarded an OH Reserve BIS in Ocala, Florida, so I guess OH BIS has “eluded” us!

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

Janet Weerts: Dickens lives up to his name both inside and outside the ring, so to single out ONE story is difficult! He is very fond of lovingly nibbling on one’s attire (both mine and others) and I recently caught him JUST IN TIME as he selected a judge’s long, filmy sleeve for his “attention!” I have always been strictly an Owner Handler because, for me, that is the joy in the sport of purebred dogs—having fun together!

While I myself am a “restarted/new” exhibitor, I make a conscious effort to be supportive of those just starting out or struggling. Good sportsmanship must include kindness to others.