Meet the Owner Handler – Carolyn Scarlet Scire

Meet the Owner Handler – Carolyn Scarlet Scire

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: I grew up on a small hobby farm in Rhode Island with an Australian Shepherd and my first show dog, a Borzoi. I attended handling classes twice weekly. I showed my Borzoi and a few dogs for friends, until “adulting” and a new career left no time for dog shows. Fast forward to 9/11, I took a position with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security where, in 2015, I experienced a life-threatening line-of-duty injury that resulted in Cognitive Brain Processing Damage, and was mandatory retired. My friend, Kristen DeBlasio, trains and shows dogs, and she matched me with an Australian Cattle Dog named Charlie, and he was trained to assist me with my seizures. With rehab, I learned to adapt to a new normal, and being retired, I was able to return to the fancy, showing Aussies
and ACDs.

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: At a show in the fall of 2021, I met a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno named Leo, and it was love at first sight. I researched everything I could find on the PPP. Through an amazing course of events, on May 1, 2022, Leo became mine and Kristen’s. That was the beginning of my love affair with the “big dog in a little body” breed. Leo was already the No. 1 PPP for 2021. I started showing Leo, and he taught me what it was like to have a real professional at the end of my leash. In 2023, Leo took me to England and placed second in Breed at Crufts. He took Best of Breed at Royal Canin and we ended the year No. 1 Breed, No. 9 All-Breed, No. 4 Owner-Handled, and we achieved his OH Bronze and Silver. Leo, GCHS STAR MOUNTAIN U.R. HOOKED is owned by me, Kristen DeBlasio, and Bruce Boisture, bred by Margaret Boisture, Bruce Boisture, and Philip Boyce.

I was so impressed with Leo, I had to have another PPP. Breeder of Merit and Owner Handler Patti Litchfield sold me a pup and took me under her wing. The wonderful temperament of PPPs made me more passionate about Podengos.

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: I attend handling classes and seminars whenever my show schedule permits.

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: I frequently rely on virtual courses and information when on the road.

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: I do compete in NOHS, and a good portion of my show schedule is determined on whether or not the show has NOHS. We are ranked in NOHS and also ranked in Breed and All-Breed, so points are important to me. I also feel that having PPP representation in both the Group and NOHS Group is important for the breed to become more familiar and gain greater recognition.

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: I currently show three specials and a class bitch. Each year Kristen and I will campaign one or two in Owner-Handled, and we have a friend or professional handler help out with the others. I often have a pro handle my Breed winner in the regular Group, and I show in the Owner-Handled Group. My goal each year is to have my special in the Top 5 so that we get invited to The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and in the Top 10 Owner-Handled for the Royal Canin NOHS (National Owner-Handled Series) invite, and I try to keep them all in the Top 20.

Leo has been teaching Pee Wees how to handle, and he is preparing to compete at the upcoming PPPA (Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Club of America) Top 20 against three of my other 2024 Top 20. Figlet, a lovely and precocious puppy bitch I acquired in July 2024, finished quickly and in less than five months of showing reached No. 9 Breed and the 2024 Top 20. As of July 10, 2025, Figlet has achieved NOHS Bronze and is currently No. 5 Breed and No. 4 Owner-Handled. GCHB LIPTON’S IT FIGURES is owned by me and Kristen DeBlasio, and bred by Susan Carter. (Susan owns the current No. 1 and No. 3 PPP, and is the breeder of the No. 1, No. 3, and No. 5 dogs. Quite an accomplishment!)

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: My desire to learn as much as possible had me traveling to Portugal to meet and purchase two puppies, a dog and a bitch, from Miguel Sabino of Viamonte Podengos. Miguel is the breeder of Leo’s sire and an icon in the Podengo world. I have since returned to Portugal to show my dogs in Clube do Podengo Portuguese’s annual show, Monografica 2025, and to learn more from Miguel and other PPP icons, Vitor & Gabriela Veiga, Darlene Devaney, and Carla Molinari.

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: Being an Owner Handler has its challenges. Like any sport, it’s not easy competing against professionals. Use all the tools available to you. I have and continue to use all that’s out there. You’re never too good or too old to learn something new. Know your Breed Standard, and be an ambassador for your breed. I want people to see what I see in my dogs, and love them too.

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: Learn how to become (and what makes) a good handler. Attend classes, find a reputable mentor, go to seminars, and check out AKC Canine College. Keep learning, ask questions, and listen. I find most old-timers and pros are nice and willing to help, and will offer constructive advice. I suggest you wait for when they aren’t in a conversation or rushing to a ring. Be ready when your class is called and know how classes work.

Becoming a steward is an excellent way to learn all the ins and outs. AKC has an online course. I am an AKC Certified Steward, and I learn so much by watching the handlers and what dogs the judges place. Stewarding is an in-demand skill, and vital to dog shows. Be nice to them. A ring can’t run without one.

Above all, stay humble, and remember to be kind, courteous, and respectful. Guide and encourage any new exhibitors. If you can’t help, point them towards someone who can. Remember how it felt when you first started.

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: When I present the Pequeno to the public, I believe it’s important to be honest and educate about all the Pequeno’s traits. Every breed has its pros and cons, depending on what someone is looking for. While I find them to be wonderful, a hound is not for everyone, for they are a hound with hound behavior. I feel that honesty will help people make realistic choices and will ensure that PPPs will be in loving homes and an environment suited to the breed.

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: Everyone wants to win. Winning feels great and being ranked in my breed is awesome, but win or lose, I still go home with the best Portuguese Podengo Pequenos in the world.

My plan is to begin breeding in 2026. I have sought guidance from some of the best preservation breeders of PPPs. Proposed breeding will be based on the strengths and weaknesses of each of my dogs. I plan to show the pups in the BBE (Bred-by Exhibitor) classes with the hope to one day be experiencing proud breeder moments; seeing my bred-by awarded Bests of Breed, Group placings and, dare I dream, more?

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

Carolyn Scarlet Scire: My PPPs are much more than show dogs and the future of my breeding program. They are first and foremost my pets and farm dogs. They’re happy little clowns with big personalities who boss the bigger dogs around, then snuggle gently with a child. One must never forget that PPPs are hounds. They are fast and ready to catch you a rabbit in the blink of an eye! After all, that’s what they’re bred for.