Meet the Junior Handler: Addie Grace Battaglia

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: I live in Plant City, Florida, with my family. I am a ten-year-old homeschool student. I have always been homeschooled and I am in fifth grade.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: Until recently, I participated in karate and really enjoyed it. I was working towards my brown belt when I decided to take a break.

I also show livestock with my Youth Leaders in Production Agriculture club. My last project was a swine and I won Reserve Grand Champion as well as second place in youth showmanship.

Lately, I have become interested in singing and hope to do more with that.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: Yes, my family breeds and shows Labrador Retrievers. I love helping my Mom raise our litters and show our puppies in BPUP. We also have an Australian Terrier and I am excited to do some showing with her.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: I started competing in December of 2024. I was actually able to do my first show on my ninth birthday. Before that, I participated in Pee Wee competitions at every show where it was offered. I was introduced to Juniors by our Professional Handler, Kellie Williams. She encouraged me to get involved in Junior Showmanship.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: My first show was in December in Newberry, Florida, and I was so cold! I showed Sam (GCHB Stonewood’s Sheza Mess O’Honey), my favorite Golden Retriever. I placed second out of seven entries and told myself the next day I was going to win my Novice Class, and I did! I was a little nervous but mostly excited and proud of myself.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: I attend handling classes with our Labradors to help me work on my techniques and get feedback. I also watch Kellie, Megan, and other handlers (even Juniors) to help improve myself. Before our ring time, I groom my dogs with the guidance of Kellie. I don’t have any special rituals or good luck charms, but I always think about what Grandpa tells me, and that’s: “If you’re not first, you’re last.”

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: Honestly, I used to get really distracted in the ring by things going on around me. I have worked really hard to focus my attention on my dog and the judge, and it’s helped how well I show my dogs. I am also pretty competitive, so I just try to focus on doing the best I can with my dog to accomplish our goals.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: Yes, I have so many people who have given me opportunities and helped me become a better handler. Kellie Williams, an AKC Registered Handler, has allowed me to learn alongside her and introduced me to many breeds I may not have had an opportunity to interact with otherwise. Megan Loudermilk and Chelsea Hill have also helped guide me by giving feedback and allowing me to help them with their dogs. I also couldn’t have learned as much as I have without the owners of some special dogs. Mrs. Maria Randall of Stonewood Goldens and Dr. Michael Bitz of Chevaliers Du Roland’s Anatolian Shepherd Dogs have graciously allowed me to love and show their dogs. I appreciate them giving me a chance to learn about two breeds that I have fallen in love with.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: I think any time I win a ribbon, I feel proud. Although I am competing against other Juniors, the competition is really within myself. I only strive to be better than I was the day before. When I think back, I was so proud of myself when I got my first Novice win. I had placed second the day before and told myself I would work harder to get the first-place ribbon. My first-ever class win was with Sam, the Golden Retriever. My first-ever Best Junior win was also with Sam. I think it’s pretty cool to have had both of those exciting wins with her. A really memorable win for me was when I showed Vane, the Anatolian Shepherd, at Westminster in Breed. I had never shown a dog at Westminster before, so it was very exciting. Vane and I earned Best of Opposite Sex together.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: The two breeds I show in Juniors most often are the Golden Retriever and the Anatolian Shepherd. They are quite different in type and presentation. With my Golden, I want to show off her happy temperament, smooth movement, and wagging tail. My Anatolian is completely different, and I want to show off her confidence, calm presence, and what a powerful dog she is. I don’t try to get fancy with either breed, as it isn’t the way they should be shown.

11. Are your breeds generally well-suited for a Junior Showmanship career?

Addie Grace Battaglia: Goldens are very well suited for the Juniors ring. They are happy, confident, and easygoing. The Goldens I show from Stonewood Goldens aren’t picky about bait, and most of the time, I don’t even need bait in the ring. I love that about them because sometimes I forget bait! Anatolian Shepherds are not a breed you usually see in the Juniors ring. You really have to develop a relationship with an Anatolian; they aren’t a breed you’re just going to walk into the ring without putting in the work beforehand. They are so loyal though, so once you have a bond they are happy to work with you in the ring.

12. Are there any breeds that you would like to show but haven’t shown yet?

Addie Grace Battaglia: I would love to show a Pointer. I think they’re so pretty and move beautifully.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: Spread the word! Most kids my age have no idea about dog shows or Junior Showmanship. I think so many more kids would be interested in participating if they actually knew about it. My Mom and I participate in the Great American Teach-In and talk to a ton of kids who have never heard of AKC or dog shows, but they are always very interested. I think just doing more to pull in kids who aren’t already in the sport because of their families would help quite a bit.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: I have not bred or co-bred my own litter, but I help my Mom whelp and raise our Labrador litters. My Labrador bitch recently turned two, and once she finishes her health testing and championship, we hope to breed her. That will be my first co-bred litter. I am excited to see what she produces; we bred her, so it will be so special to continue our lines.

15. Is breeding something that you’d like to pursue? Is breed preservation important to you?

Addie Grace Battaglia: Yes, I do have an interest in breeding. My family breeds Labrador Retrievers, and while I love them, I don’t think that will be my breed. Breed preservation is important to me. Being in Labradors, I see many variations in the breed and some dogs being unable to perform the jobs they were bred for. We have to keep each breed’s original purpose in mind when making breeding decisions.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: Since I am still only 10, I haven’t thought deeply about my goals as an adult. I do see myself continuing to show dogs at least part-time as an adult. I think I would enjoy owner-handling my own dogs and maybe have a few clients.

17. Can you share a word or two about your relationship with your current dogs? What do they mean to you?

Addie Grace Battaglia: Sam and Vane are both special to me. Sam and I have been working with each other since Sam’s first dog show. I counted down the days until I could show her in Juniors. She has always been so reliable for me and has taught me so much in the ring, and about forming a bond with a dog I show but don’t own.

I began working with Vane when she was just five months old. I showed her a few times in the classes and almost every time she has shown as a special. We really connect with each other and I think she looks forward to our time together.

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

Addie Grace Battaglia: This wasn’t in Juniors, but at Westminster when I showed Vane. My outfit didn’t have any pockets, so I was using a bait pouch. On our down and back, my bait pouch dumped and left a trail of chicken all the way across the ring. The judge was very kind and helped me pick it up before I continued around the ring. When I came out of the ring and my Mom told me it was being recorded for TV, we just laughed. Vane had the best time with all that chicken!