Meet the Owner Handler: Alexis Kurowski

Meet the Owner Handler: Alexis Kurowski

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

Alexis Kurowski: I started off as a youth in 4-H with Obedience and Showmanship with Australian Cattle Dogs (ACD) and took a bathing job working at Scruffy’s Scrub Your Mutt, which was a self-dog wash that also doubled as a professional grooming shop that focused on catering to show dogs. I was introduced to a Borzoi breeder who needed kennel help and started attending dog shows with the Borzoi, showing them and also working for the dog show vendors. As my (not AKC) ACDs aged and passed on, I focused on starting a breeding and show program with registered and health-tested purebreds and understood with clarity my role in producing dogs that meet the Breed Standards.

I will always say that the ACD chose me versus the other way around. I was a hot-headed teen with an unstable family life, and just trying to get through life. I showed horses but did not have the finances to be competitive at the next level I needed to achieve, and so, I had kind of hit a wall and a fair amount of frustration. We did not have a dog, but I was crazy about dogs my whole life and even used to knock on the neighbor’s door so that they would let their Rottweiler out to play. I was at the barn one day and looked down as something brushed my leg and saw a blue ACD sitting next to me in heel position. He decided he liked me and was very affectionate. His owners came around the corner and were shocked to see him being attentive and loving. His name was Tuff, and he had a reputation for being exactly that. He had bombed out of Obedience class for being reactive and did not even really seem to care for the family that raised him, who happened to be the 4-H leaders of the dog project. They wanted to try something and asked if I would be willing to go to class with him and see if he had different behavior with me as his handler, and sure enough, he was a different dog. I kept taking him to class and put a few Obedience titles on him, and I started showing my horse trainer’s ACD “Red Dog” for the 4-H events, since Tuff still hated strangers. I found a purpose and something achievable, and it kindled a deep love for the Australian Cattle Dog breed as well as probably saved me from going down a terrible path. I swear this breed saved my life.

2. How many years in dogs? In your breed?

Alexis Kurowski: I have been involved in the world of AKC purebred dogs since I was 17, so 25 years. I have had an ACD at my side since 1995. That’s 30 years, and hopefully, at least that many more in my future!

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

Alexis Kurowski: Yes. Over the years I have attended many classes from many different teachers. I currently go to one that I love, with any young dogs I have as well as with my trained Specials, to sharpen my skills and to keep holding myself accountable as one half of the team.

I have only attended in-person handling seminars put on at the National, but I would be interested if a good one came around and the timing was right.

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

Alexis Kurowski: I absolutely have! I bought a year subscription a while back to trainingdogswithlaura.com and actually took out my notepad and started taking notes. I also like watching the AKC channel and seeing the presentations. Sometimes at an in-person event I am too focused on my dog and not thinking about smaller nuances that I can learn and focus on by watching online. But then, I need class in person to put it into action.

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

Alexis Kurowski: I do compete in NOHS! And I quite enjoy the program.

All-breed rankings are important, but not as much as Breed and NOHS. I have my sight set on competing in the Top 20 in 2026 at the National, so I have been putting a lot of effort into staying ranked this year, as I can be eligible in both categories for the ACDCA. I do not have the ability to show every weekend out of the year or to travel to the most competitive parts of the circuit, so I have to choose wisely. I am determined that my current Special will achieve greatness with me on the end of his lead instead of a professional. I am his favorite person, after all, so it means I have to work harder and harder to do it right.

6. In which class(es) are you most likely to enter your dog(s)?

Alexis Kurowski: I enter my dogs in Bred-by Exhibitor all the way to Champion.

7. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler?

Alexis Kurowski: I like to consider myself a mentee of the world around me. I think, in truth, I have learned little things from a large number of people and recognize that every interaction is an opportunity to learn something.

8. What are the benefits of competing with your breed(s) as an Owner Handler?

Alexis Kurowski: In California, the Groups are large and have a strong depth of quality as well as some of the top Herding dogs in the country with top Pro Handlers at every show. Getting to be seen in the NOHS Groups definitely helped to break the barrier for the regular Groups as well as had my dog and I mentally prepared for Group level competition.

9. How are you encouraging new exhibitors to participate in the sport?

Alexis Kurowski: I have a reputation in my breed and dog community for being outgoing, helpful, and for leading by example in sportsmanship. I would like to think that this is one of my greatest achievements. I want every interaction with my fellow competitors, judges, ring stewards, and dog show attendees to be positive. There is too much negativity in this world. Everyone started out as a newbie once, and the ones who had a poor reception likely did not continue. I try to make sure that I am always mindful and treat others the way I want to be treated. If anything, I am aggressively helpful.

10. Are there any suggestions you’d like to pass along about the presentation of your breed(s).

Alexis Kurowski: Confidence in an Australian Cattle Dog goes down the lead from the handler. The breed requires and thrives with good leadership and security. When you put the effort into making your dog feel secure and you have the confidence to lend them some when they are lacking, you get the best version of your dog and they thrive.

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

Alexis Kurowski: My goal as an Owner Handler is to push myself to achieve all of the levels with my special boy and to be a hard team to beat.

I would love an NOHS BIS. My dog and I have gone Reserve and won several Groups, but we have not had that big win yet.

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

Alexis Kurowski: A few year ago, I attended the “Woofstock” cluster and decided to go all out on my outfit and bought the cutest wide leg tie-dye pants to wear. They were a huge hit and I got so many compliments; everyone wanted a pair! Fast forward to ring time and I am feeling great, looking good, and ready to win! As I am running around the ring in a huge class of dogs, the wind picks up and blows one of the legs of my pants over the foot that was in mid-air, immediately causing me to trip and hit the ground like a starfish, legs and arms askew. I quickly got up and shook off my pride to keep going, only to have the whole scene happen again two strides later. The judge stopped the whole ring just to make sure I was okay, and even the embarrassment of falling flat on my face two times in about a minute could not override the hilarity of the situation. I renamed them my “hippie death pants” and spent the rest of the day warning fans of my pants that they should not be deceived by their cuteness. Now, every time I go to Woofstock, someone always goes, “Hey, Lexie, remember those hippie death pants and the time you performed the double starfish?” It always makes me laugh.