Interview with Breeder/Owner Handler Krystal Purcell

Interview with Breeder/Owner Handler Krystal Purcell

Krystal Purcell: I’m a third-generation, certified master groomer and a second-generation alumni member of GroomTeam USA. I graduated with honors from Bridgewater State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. I ran a successful mobile grooming business for almost 10 years out of the South Shore of Massachusetts, but have recently transitioned back to a brick and mortar location. I provide exclusive one on one grooming services to a small clientele during the week and I groom and show dogs on the weekends for fun.

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

Krystal Purcell: I am a third-generation dog groomer, so I’ve been involved with purebred dogs my entire life. Growing up, my parents mostly bred Bichons Frises and Poodles, both Toys and Standards, and my mom was a nationally ranked competitive groomer on GroomTeam USA. I spent most of my youth following in her grooming competition footsteps, eventually making GroomTeam myself in 2017. As I got older, I became more interested in the Conformation side of the dog show world.

My heart breed was, and probably always will be, the English Springer Spaniel. My first puppy that I finished entirely owner-handled to championship and grand championship was my Springer bitch, “Taylor.” She was also the first dog I competed seriously with in the National Owner-Handled Series, ending the 2021 year with my first invitation to the Finals. It was always my dream to breed Springers, but life had different plans for me and that didn’t end up being in the cards.

Meanwhile, my mom had been breeding and showing Kerry Blue Terriers for years, and I would dabble a little, showing a puppy or class dog every now and then, helping at specialties, etc. After seeing how devastated I was about no longer being able to breed my Springer bitch, my mom asked for my opinion on her next breeding. A few months later, her singleton bitch produced one singleton male puppy—spoiled “Doyle” was born—and this Springer girl officially became a terrier lover.

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

Krystal Purcell: I’ve been involved with dogs somehow my entire life, so 33 years. When I was a kid I would help my mom at shows, but I got serious about it in my 20s when I got Springers. My male Kerry is officially my first bred-by dog, and hopefully, just the start to my breeding journey! I would still love to breed Springers someday, but for now I’m sticking with terriers.

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

Krystal Purcell: I do not currently attend handling classes, although I have in the past. One of the ways I elevated my handling skills was by watching the regular Group rings. I would find a professional handler whom I admired and would watch their every move; from the specifics, like how they set the dog up on the ramp/table, how they held the lead, their foot placement, and pacing as they did the down and back verses the go-around, and even down to the simple things like how they engaged with the dog during the “down time.” Once you get to the Group rings, there’s a lot of time when the judge isn’t looking at you and your dog, and you need to find ways to keep your dog engaged without becoming over-stimulated or bored. This can be especially difficult with terriers!

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

Krystal Purcell: Virtual learning tools have been a huge help for me, especially videos and photos. I love to see recordings both of myself with my dogs and of other people showing, too. I like to analyze videos to see what is or isn’t working, just like athletes watch game footage to study plays.

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

Krystal Purcell: I do currently compete in the NOHS. As a naturally competitive person, seeing my name and my dog’s name in the rankings is definitely thrilling. It gives me a goal to work towards and helps to validate the effort I put in both inside and outside the ring.

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

Krystal Purcell: Bred-By Classes are very important to me. I think it’s a great way for breeders to showcase their breeding program. I especially like when the class is divided into puppies and adult dogs. I love Specialties! It’s such a nice way to generate buzz about a certain breed and usually encourages the best of the best to come out and compete, especially in limited breeds, like Kerry Blues, where you might only have one or two entries at a “regular” show verses 15-20-plus at a Specialty.

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

Krystal Purcell: It can be very challenging to compete as a breeder/owner handler. Although there are more breeder/owner handlers in KBTs than in some other breeds, the Terrier Group in general is fierce competition, especially in the New England area. I regularly compete against some of the top terriers in the country, and most of those dogs are handled by professionals. It can be hard for someone like me who isn’t necessarily out every single weekend.

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

Krystal Purcell: My mom is, of course, my biggest mentor both as an owner handler and a breeder. Her breeder/owner/handler Breed win at Westminster with her bitch, “River,” will always be an inspiration story for me. My dream is to win Breed at Westminster with the grandson someday.

Heather Rooze, whom I admire immensely, is another owner handler who has accomplished things even professional handlers haven’t, and who gives people like me the hope that the impossible can be done. There are so many others that I look up to as well, in many different breeds.

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

Krystal Purcell: I truly think breeder/owner handlers are beneficial to the future of the sport. It’s one thing to breed dogs and have someone else handle for you. I feel like the dedication that breeder/owner handlers have is something special. Many are preservation breeders who spend thousands of dollars and countless hours showing dogs for the pure love of the sport.

I feel like the dedication that breeder/owner handlers have is something special. Many are preservation breeders who spend thousands of dollars and countless hours showing dogs for the pure love of the sport.

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

Krystal Purcell: First and foremost, be selective about which dogs you breed and why. Don’t breed to a top-winning dog just because it’s winning. The whole point of breeding is supposed to be to enhance the breed as a whole. Do your research, look into the pedigrees, and get appropriate testing done. Remember that not every dog you breed is going to be a show dog, and that’s okay.

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

Krystal Purcell: I’m honored to admit that I have already accomplished a lot as a breeder/owner handler, but yes, there are many more goals I have not yet achieved. Superstitions won’t let me spell it out, but let’s just say I’m looking forward to the NOHS finals in Orlando. That red carpet is calling our name…

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

Krystal Purcell: I’m not sure I would call it funny, more synchronicity. My first Owner-Handled Best in Show was with River, the same week at the same circuit that “Paddy” won his first regular Best in Show. A year later at that show, I won my second Owner-Handled Best in Show with River’s grandson/Paddy’s son, Doyle. I guess you could say it’s a family affair!