Meet the Breeder/Owner Handler: Kaitlyn Hand

Left to right: Kaitlyn Hand, “Denim” NSC BISS GCHS Quietstorm Designer Genes CA BCAT CGCA TKI, and Dorothea Hand

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

Kaitlyn Hand: I was introduced to the sport of purebred dogs through my family, as I am a third-generation dog person. I grew up surrounded by German Shorthaired Pointers and the traditions of foundation and preservation breeding, exhibiting, and protecting the integrity of purebred dogs. From a young age, I was ringside watching, learning, and helping, and over time that passion naturally became my own. My introduction to the breed came through my family’s deep involvement and love for the German Shorthaired Pointer and everything the breed represents both in the field and in the show ring.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: I have been involved in dogs for almost 23 years, having grown up in the sport from a very young age. I have always been involved as a Breeder/Owner Handler, learning firsthand through hands-on experience with our dogs and breeding program. Over the past five years, I have also been actively co-breeding litters, which has allowed me to become even more involved in the planning, preservation, and development of our breeding program and future generations.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: Yes, I attend handling classes regularly at our training center, and I also help teach handling classes there as well. In addition, I teach Junior Handling seminars and have co-taught seminars alongside my mom. Being involved on both the learning and teaching side has been incredibly rewarding, and I believe continuing education and mentorship are very important parts of preserving and growing our sport.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: Yes, I think virtual learning tools can be extremely helpful when used correctly. Social media has become a great resource for learning more about Breed Standards, structure, movement, and presentation by allowing people to study quality dogs and respected breeders from around the world. We also use videos as training tools for our students to help break down handling techniques, ring presence, and dog presentation. While hands-on experience is still the most valuable part of learning, virtual resources have made education much more accessible.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: Yes, I have been competing competitively in the National Owner-Handled Series for the last year and a half. Rankings are very important to me because they reflect consistency, dedication, and the quality of the dogs we are presenting. As the Number One Owner-Handled German Shorthaired Pointer, I take a great deal of pride in knowing that I am competitive not only within the breed rankings but also in the all-breed Owner-Handled standings. Those accomplishments are especially meaningful as a Breeder/Owner Handler competing with dogs that we have bred, developed, and presented ourselves.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: The Bred-By Class is very important to me because it gives me the opportunity to showcase our breeding stock and the dogs that we are truly proud of as breeders. There is a special level of satisfaction that comes from presenting dogs that we have planned, bred, raised, and developed ourselves. Specialties are equally important because the entries are much larger and bring together a deeper level of quality within the breed. They allow you to see the larger fancy of dogs and compete against some of the best in the country. Doing well at a Specialty feels especially rewarding because those wins carry a higher level of prestige and recognition within the breed community.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: If you had asked me a year ago, I probably would have said yes. Over time, though, I have realized that success really comes down to perfecting your craft and developing a style that works best for you and your dog. A truly good dog can stand out no matter who is on the other end of the leash. German Shorthaired Pointers can absolutely be a handler-heavy breed, but learning how to properly present your dog, understanding their strengths, and continuing to improve your own presentation and ring presence can make all the difference. The more you refine your skills and present yourself at a higher level, the more success you will find as a Breeder/Owner Handler.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: I have been fortunate to be surrounded by incredible mentors throughout my life in dogs. My biggest mentors as both an Owner Handler and a Breeder have been my family, especially my mother, who carries the Quietstorm kennel, and my grandmother, who established the Fieldfine kennel. They built the foundation of our program and taught me the importance of foundation and preservation breeding, sportsmanship, and dedication to the German Shorthaired Pointer. Growing up as a third-generation dog person allowed me to learn not only handling and presentation, but also the deeper responsibility that comes with breeding and protecting the integrity of the breed. I have also been fortunate to learn from many respected breeders, handlers, and judges along the way, and I continue to value every opportunity to learn and grow in the sport.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: The Breeder/Owner Handler is extremely important to the future of both the sport and the breed. They are often the ones carrying forward long-term breeding programs, preserving type, structure, and function while maintaining a clear understanding of what the breed was developed to do. In German Shorthaired Pointers, that balance between field ability and correct conformation is especially important, and Breeder/Owner Handlers play a key role in protecting that dual purpose. Beyond breeding and exhibiting, Breeder/Owner Handlers also have a responsibility to mentor new owners and breeders, helping to guide them toward making thoughtful, ethical, and breed-appropriate decisions. Passing down correct education, sportsmanship, and preservation-focused practices helps to ensure the next generation is set up to do things the right way. From a broader perspective, Breeder/Owner Handlers help to maintain continuity within the sport. They are invested not just in individual wins but in generations of dogs, which strengthens preservation breeding and keeps the focus on quality over time rather than short-term success. For my breed specifically, that commitment helps to ensure that the German Shorthaired Pointer continues to be both a capable sporting dog and a correct representative of the Breed Standard in the show ring.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: My advice to Owner Handlers who are considering breeding their dogs is to take the responsibility very seriously and prioritize education before anything else. Learn your Breed Standard in depth, study pedigrees, and be honest about both the strengths and weaknesses of your dog. Breeding should never be based on emotion, convenience, or titles alone but on a clear purpose to improve and preserve the breed. It is also important to seek mentorship from experienced, ethical breeders who are willing to guide you and challenge your thinking. Health testing, temperament, structure, and overall breed function should always come first, with the goal of producing dogs that are better than the generation before them. Above all, breeding is a long-term commitment to the breed—not just a single litter—and should be approached with patience, humility, and respect for the responsibility it carries.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: My goals as a Breeder/Owner Handler are centered around continuing to preserve and improve the German Shorthaired Pointer while building a consistent, thoughtful breeding program that reflects correct type, structure, and function. I want to continue producing and presenting dogs that are competitive at all levels while staying true to the breed’s purpose and Standard. Just as importantly, I aim to keep growing as a handler, breeder, and mentor within the sport. I am very proud to have won the GSPCA National and Regional, along with multiple Group placements and multiple OHBIS wins, but my goals continue to evolve beyond individual accomplishments. At the end of the day, a major goal for me is simply to enjoy the process and have fun with my dog while doing what I love in the sport. While there are always milestones that keep you striving forward, including continued success at specialty-level competition and in large-entry shows, the most important goal is always the long-term success of the breeding program and the legacy of the dogs we produce, rather than any single win in the ring.

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

Kaitlyn Hand: One of the things you quickly learn as a Breeder/Owner Handler is that dogs don’t always stick to the plan, no matter how prepared you are. There have definitely been moments where everything is set for a polished ring performance, and then the dog decides to add their own interpretation of the job at the last second—whether that’s an unexpected pause, a sudden change of direction (diving for bait in the BIS ring), or a very enthusiastic greeting that wasn’t exactly part of the presentation strategy. While those moments can feel stressful in the moment, they usually turn into the stories you laugh about later. They are also a good reminder that you’re working with a living, thinking partner, not a machine. In the end, those experiences often make the wins even more meaningful and the journey a lot more memorable.

13. Tell us about your plans for the year ahead. Who will you be showing and what are your strategies for achieving your goals?

Looking ahead to the year, I will be showing some Bred-By Class dogs, but most importantly, I will be campaigning my special girl, “Denim,” NSC BISS GCHS Quietstorm Designer Genes. She will be the main focus for me throughout the rest of the year, and she has already surpassed every goal I initially set for her. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch her success and growth in the ring. My strategy moving forward is to continue learning my judges, understanding my dog on a deeper level, and refining our teamwork with every outing. At the end of the day, my mindset is simple—I’m going home with the best dog. The goal is to present her at her absolute best every time she steps into the ring, and to continue to enjoy the journey with her.