A Junior’s Journal | Madelyn Cartwright

Interview with Madelyn Cartwright

I’m Madelyn and I show in AKC Conformation. I love German Shepherd Dogs and Australian Shepherds, and I wish to breed them when I move out. My only Conformation dog is a Border Collie that I co-own with my Aunt.

1. Where do you live? Where do you go to school?

Madelyn Cartwright: I’m from Central Minnesota and will either be going to Princeton Public Schools or I will be homeschooled next year.

2. Do you have any hobbies or interests apart from purebred dogs? Do you have a job?

Madelyn Cartwright: I don’t really have any other interests apart from showing dogs. I have a job at the Canine Cabin.

3. Have you grown up in a doggy family? What is your breed?

Madelyn Cartwright: Yes, I’ve grown up in a dog family my whole life. I have Border Collies, but my Mom might allow me to have a breed I enjoy; Australian Shepherds.

4. How were you introduced to Junior showmanship? When did you start competing?

Madelyn Cartwright: I was introduced by my Aunt, Rachel Lucas, back in 2018. I was eight years old at the time. I showed a Shetland Sheepdog in Pee Wees.

5. What do you remember about the first time you showed as a Junior?

Madelyn Cartwright: I remember being told I should go around the ring with an adult, which I didn’t end up doing because I didn’t want to. I remember setting this Sheltie up on the table in a 3-point stack.

6. How do you prepare your dog and yourself for the ring? Any rituals? Any good luck charms?

Madelyn Cartwright: I always prepare us by getting my hair up in a ponytail, chalking my Border Collie, and putting a cool coat on her, hours before we show. My good luck charm is chalking right before Groups. We always place if we do that.

7. What’s it like in the ring when the pressure is on? Do you have a secret for handling the nerves?

Madelyn Cartwright: When the pressure is on, the dog I’m handling tends to sense it. I learned from showing Shepherds that if you put something minty in your mouth in the ring, your dog can’t smell the nervousness as much.

8. Do you have a mentor in the sport? Have you assisted any Professional Handlers?

Madelyn Cartwright: I have four main mentors. Rachel Lucas and Sara Peterson are my all-around mentors. Rebecca Koeger is my Border Collie mentor, and I got my first Border Collie from her. I would also consider Katie Putz my German Shepherd mentor as I learned so much about the breed and how to handle these beasts from her. I’ve assisted Professional Handler Sara Peterson by helping her dogs show in the ring.

9. Are there any wins for which you are particularly proud? Any memorable losses?

Madelyn Cartwright: The wins I am proud of are our first ever BJH, our first Group placement, our first OH G1 placement, our OHBIS at my first Border Collie National, and our Crufts invite at my first Border Collie National. I don’t have any memorable losses.

10. How do you accentuate your dog’s breed type in the ring? How do you try to stand out?

Madelyn Cartwright: I move my Border Collie fast, so she extends and has big strides. She always gets Group placements when she shows with a flying trot. That’s how we stand out.

11. Are there any breeds that you haven’t yet shown but would like to some day?

Madelyn Cartwright: I haven’t shown Golden Retrievers yet, but I would absolutely love to!

12. What can be done to encourage more young people to participate in Junior Showmanship?

Madelyn Cartwright: I would say it’s a great learning experience and a great way to make friends your age. I became such a good handler by doing Juniors.

13. Have you bred or co-bred a litter? If so, can you share what you’ve learned from the experience?

Madelyn Cartwright: I have not bred or co-bred a litter yet, but I would love to some day!

14. Is breeding something that you would like to pursue? Is breed preservation important to you?

Madelyn Cartwright: Breeding is something I would like to pursue, and yes, breed preservation is important to me.

15. What are your goals for the future? Do you see yourself continuing in the sport once you’ve aged-out?

Madelyn Cartwright: My goal for the future is to win BOB with either one of my own Shepherds or Aussies I have bred myself. I see myself continuing this sport once I have aged-out.

16. Can you share a word or two about your relationship with your current dog? What does s/he mean to you?

Madelyn Cartwright: I am my dog’s person. She means a lot to me.

17. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as a Junior Handler?

Madelyn Cartwright: A funny thing that happened to me was my first time showing Shepherds in the Junior ring. I didn’t really show them as much as I do now, so I didn’t really know what I was doing!