Meet the Junior Handler: Ava Silva

Meet the Junior Handler: Ava Silva

Thank you for thinking of myself and Prancer, and giving me the opportunity to tell so many people about my journey.

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

Ava Silva: I live in Lakeland, Florida, and I’m currently enrolled in private school.

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

Ava Silva: I mountain bike with my brother, Naedyn Silva, outside of Conformation shows and training. I also help my mother with her dog grooming salon. I’m the “manager” of the dog daycare (just not really paid) and I do bathing and fluff some dogs.

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

Ava Silva: Yes, my family and I have owned dogs from ethical breeders since I was born and prior. Our breeds are Rottweilers and Toy Fox Terriers. My mom always educated me on behavior and every dog breed, not just the breeds I like.

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

Ava Silva: It all started when I took the lead of my Rottweiler, Bronx, at age three. My mother decided to get me to classes and start showing.

I traveled with my mom, so Junior Showmanship was always there, but I wanted to be with the adults because of the breed rankings. (I like competition.) I decided at age seven to try Juniors after finishing my first Toy Fox.

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

Ava Silva: The first time I showed in Junior Showmanship I remember being so nervous and I didn’t even understand why. It seemed all my training just flew 1,000 miles away, but I just pet my Toy Fox’s head, Vixen at that time, and I calmed down.

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

Ava Silva: I prepare Prancer by petting, cuddling, and playing before the show and I always give her a smooch on the head before! I normally prepare myself by breathing, five seconds in and six seconds out, for 10 rounds. It helps a whole lot!

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

Ava Silva: When pressure is on, I sing a song. Any song too! It’s always important to remember that your dog can feel the pressure through the lead; it gets them nervous and unsure if you’re scared or tense. When I relax, so does Prancer, and trust me, it helps.

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

Ava Silva: I have many mentors in the sport, including Kimberly Cardona, Scott Keffer (boom!), my mom Sheena Silva, and dad Peter Silva, Susan and Steve Thibodeaux (Prancer’s breeders) as well as Kristina Criscoe.

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

Ava Silva: I remember Prancer’s first-ever win. It was in UKC, but it was the Best Puppy. I was so proud. I don’t have a memorable loss because, no matter what, I’m happy with my dogs. But I do remember a Juniors loss with my other Toy Fox, Vixen. I was doing a triangle, I believe, and I forgot to courtesy at the turning point. (I now remember to do that.)

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

Ava Silva: I make my dog stand out by baiting at a downward angle, just not pointing down just about halfway. It makes the dog’s topline look smooth and straighter. It also gives some sort of shaping to my dog’s head; it appears sharper and cleaner. I try to stand out by letting my dog be herself—not a statue, just a dog. I completely understand her, as she is just a puppy, so I let her express herself.

11. Is your breed generally well-suited for a Junior Showmanship career?

Ava Silva: My breed is kind of well suited for Junior Showmanship. They are smart, loving dogs, but they are very stubborn. It takes a well-experienced owner to properly own one of these. Don’t let size fool you—they are small, but built like steel.

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

Ava Silva: A breed I haven’t shown and would like to show would be the Giant Schnauzer. I absolutely love the breed and would be so happy to handle one.

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

Ava Silva: Something that can be done to encourage young people to show dogs is just believing in your skills, and not caring if you lose or win. My way of showing is: a win is a win, and a loss is a win. That’s what helps me continue and how some people can also think.

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

Ava Silva: I have not co-bred a litter, but I would love to. I have no experience in that, but I’m willing to learn!

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

Ava Silva: Breeding is something I would like to pursue. I also believe breed preservation is great for this breed. Not only do these little companions show and cuddle so well, but they excel in Obedience and Agility work (even Barn Hunt). They love their people and are even a little protective.

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

Ava Silva: One of my goals is making it to my dream in New York and attending Westminster. I do see myself doing this sport in the future. It is one of my passions.

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

Ava Silva: Me and Prancer are best friends in and out of the show ring. When I grab any blanket, she is ready to cuddle. She’s always right by me or watching what I do, even washing my bike. I would do anything for her and I’m pretty sure she’d do anything for me (with a treat, of course).

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

Ava Silva: I only have one “funny” experience, at Royal Canin last year. I was in the ring for a Specialty and gave Prancer a little smooch on the head. I was allowed to wear lip gloss that day and it got all over her head, and the judge noticed and laughed at the sparkles.

For me, it’s more like just fun stories and funny inside jokes, like when I travel with my mom and her friends, Marisa and Lynn and Kimmy, for shows: No crumbs left, ladies, is something we say and always laugh until we cry.