Meet the Owner Handler Bill Tsioles

Meet the Owner Handler Bill Tsioles

My name is Bill Tsioles, I live in Arlington Heights, Illinois. I have two Swedish Vallhunds, Axel and Odin. We have only been in the Conformation world for a little over two years. Our dogs are handled by myself, my wife Sara, and two daughters, Sophia and Mia, who do Junior Showmanship with them. Outside of Conformation, we also do Scent Work and are starting in Herding training.

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

Bill Tsioles: We originally had Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and when we watched the Herding Group we always saw the Swedish Vallhunds. After meeting them in person we were hooked by their amazing personalities and knew it was the breed for us. Owning a Herding breed was a natural choice for me. Being first-generation Greek, my grandparents were sheep herders and used the help of their shepherds to move sheep up and through mountains. We still own the house and part of the mountain where generations of my family raised their livestock.

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

Bill Tsioles: We had dogs as pets for 15 years, but have only had Vallhunds for a little over two years. Swedish Vallhunds were our first Conformation dogs.

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

Bill Tsioles: I have taken classes from Amy Bieri and have done a handling seminar with Norma Smith.

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

Bill Tsioles: In the beginning, yes, watching YouTube videos of Westminster/Breed judging and, thankfully, coming across George Alston’s one and only handling seminar on YouTube. I’ve also watched videos from Leading Edge Dog Show Academy with Allison Alexander.

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

Bill Tsioles: We absolutely compete in NOHS. We are really proud of our success as the No. 1 All-Breed Swedish Vallhund and are equally proud of being the No. 1 Owner-Handled in our breed.

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

Bill Tsioles: We compete in Best of Breed and Owner-Handled.

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

Bill Tsioles: Linda Kunicki was one of our first friends we made while sitting backstage waiting for Groups that were being televised from McCormick Place in Chicago. She has been an incredible friend and a great resource in learning more about the
Conformation world.

Amy Bieri has been an incredible friend and resource. She has helped to guide me and be able to take my handling to a competitive level in the Group ring.

We wouldn’t have been able to get our most recent Reserve Best in Show and all the other accolades without the help of key individuals. Their success has transferred into ours as well.

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

Bill Tsioles: We are fortunate to be in a breed that is almost entirely owner-handled. I love that about our breed and we definitely respect that about each other. Conformation is just one piece of forming a strong relationship with my dog and I truly believe our relationship, as well as his exceptional quality, really helps us achieve our success.

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

Bill Tsioles: I love helping people who are interested in it. It takes a lot of work and training, so I want to put them at ease and make them comfortable to ask any questions.

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

Bill Tsioles: Swedish Vallhunds should be friendly and outgoing. People are often mistaken that they are overly vocal, but a well-socialized and trained Swedish Vallhund has wonderful manners and should not be barking.

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

Bill Tsioles: The goal is being the first Swedish Vallhund to win a Best in Show. We currently have two BISOHs. Axel also won several BPUP BIS, so currently BIS is our only unfulfilled goal. He just earned his first Reserve BIS, so we are getting closer! He is only the second Swedish Vallhund to win a RBIS, but he’s the youngest at 17 months.

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

Bill Tsioles: Locking my keys in the car at a show where I was 700 miles from home. Thank goodness my rear windows were down enough so that I could fit a six-foot piece of 2×4 lumber, without breaking my window, across to the driver’s side lock. I’ve since bought a new SUV that I can unlock with an app. Problem solved.