Meet the Junior Handler: Rose Wentzel

Meet the Junior Handler: Rose Wentzel

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

Rose Wentzel: I live near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and go to school at Capital Area School for the Arts.

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

Rose Wentzel: Yes! I love painting/drawing, volunteering at Big Brothers Big Sisters, and working with other animals when I can! I do have a seasonal job at the mall at the moment.

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

Rose Wentzel: Kind of! My grandma bred Beagles when my dad was growing up, and I grew up with them as well! I am the first in my family to show dogs, however. My breed(s) at the moment are Basset Fauve De Bretagnes and Beagles! I show other dogs from time to time as well!

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

Rose Wentzel: I was introduced to Junior Showmanship at the age of nine through a local handling class with my field Beagle, Stella! I started competing right after that class in AKC, and in 4-H!

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

Rose Wentzel: I remember being really confused on what to do, but I found help and advice in the dog show community!

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

Rose Wentzel: Normally I will pick my number up about a half hour before ring time, put on my jacket last, and off we go! With Fauves, there is very minimal grooming involved, so I often brush my dog Nora quickly before heading to the ring as well.

As for rituals, in theatre we have this warmup, where we kind of shake the nerves off, and that’s become somewhat of a ritual for me as well. It helps in giving me energy and releasing all the nerves!

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

Rose Wentzel: The ring, while the pressure is on, is very nerve-wracking. I try to remember that my dog and I both know what to do, and to trust my instinct.

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

Rose Wentzel: Yes! Patty Alleman is my mentor, and she led me to my current Juniors dog, Nora! She has taught me everything I know about dog showing.

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

Rose Wentzel: The win that I am most proud of is my first Best Junior Handler at Lehigh Valley Kennel Club, under Judge Lynne Hamilton! As for losses, I don’t feel as though any were overly memorable, as I gain knowledge on how to improve my handling from each win, or loss!

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

Rose Wentzel: Fauves are a working breed, and therefore, should not be shown in an overly flashy style. A good stack and correct grooming are essential when showing this breed. They should never be shown at a faster gait, as they are meant to be a dog you can keep up with while hunting on foot. I dress to complement the dog, so that both my dog and I look good in the ring.

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

Rose Wentzel: I believe that Basset Fauve De Bretagnes are perfect for Juniors! They’re very friendly, patient, and willing to learn! They also require low grooming maintenance, making them perfect for beginners as well!

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

Rose Wentzel: Mainly Miscellaneous breeds, but yes, I would love to show a Drever, Japanese Spitz, Bolognese, and
a Pomeranian!

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

Rose Wentzel: I think there needs to be a push for making Juniors more cost accessible, as this is one of the biggest barriers that Juniors face. Along with that, making Junior Showmanship more friendly for everyone, and programs for reaching out to the community!

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

Rose Wentzel: I have not yet bred a litter; however, I plan to in the future. I have learned a lot about the importance of health testing, what to look for while breeding, and how to better improve breeding stock.

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

Rose Wentzel: I hope to one day pursue breeding Basset Fauve De Bretagnes, and as such, breeding preservation is extremely important to me in order to ensure the breed remains true to its roots in France and does not lose its function.

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

Rose Wentzel: I hope to qualify for Westminster for the first time for my senior year. I definitely plan on continuing to show my dogs after aging-out, but education and college comes first!

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

Rose Wentzel: Nora, my current Juniors dog, is my heart dog. She’s the sweetest dog there is, and loves everyone and everything. She’s an amazing representation of her breed, with multiple UKC Altered Bests in Show and a UKC Altered champion, and she loves to show—as shown by her never-ending tail wags.

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

Rose Wentzel: The funniest, but sweetest, story was when my little sister showed our Beagle, Catcher. Every time she passed by the judge, she would give the judge a thumbs up, and smile. It was very silly but also sweet.