Meet Chris Miller, lifelong dog enthusiast, breeder, judge, and passionate advocate for the intelligent and rare Canaan Dog.
The Weekly Brief
The best of SHOWSIGHT editorials, weekly wins, and breeder commentary — delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning.
I have been active in purebred dogs and AKC events for almost 50 years. I first stepped into the Conformation ring at the tender age of eight with my parents’ (Michael and Merry Carol Houchard) Great Danes. Since that time, I have competed in Conformation, Junior Showmanship, Obedience, Agility, Rally, Lure Coursing, Barn Hunt, Fast CAT, and Herding.
I became enamored with the Canaan Dog in 1997, the year of the breed’s full AKC recognition into the Herding Group. Looking for a breed of medium size with intelligence and exceptional health, the Canaan Dog seemed the logical choice. After meeting my first Canaan Dogs in person, a new chapter in my life began. With the arrival of my first Canaan Dog in 1998, I have devoted much of my life to this amazing breed. Through the years, I have bred or owned over 40 AKC Champions, multiple National Specialty winners, many top Owner-Handled dogs since the inception of the NOHS, and my dogs have earned over 170 Performance titles.
I am an AKC approved Judge for Canaan Dogs, Junior Showmanship, Fast CAT, Farm Dog, FETCH, and I’m a CGC Evaluator. I have an admiration for Herding breeds. Their intelligence, form, and function hold a special place in my heart.
Christina (Chris) Miller: I am one of the few who was actually born into the sport of purebred dogs; my maternal grandmother was a charter member of Clearwater Kennel Club in the 1940s. My mother competed with her Boxer in Junior Showmanship in the 1940s and early 1950s. My parents, Michael and Merry Carol Houchard, bred and showed Great Danes, Vizslas, and later, Dalmatians under the Lyceum prefix. I started showing Great Danes in Conformation before I was old enough for Junior Showmanship. Once old enough for Juniors, I enjoyed competing with my Great Danes. I won many regional competitions and managed to qualify for The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show before I aged-out. Canaan Dogs came into my life in 1997. Way back in the late 1900s, the AKC Gazette used to arrive printed, in the mail. The August 1997 issue hit my mailbox and had a Canaan Dog on the cover, as AKC’s (American Kennel Club) newest breed. I read the article, reached out to some breeders, met my first dogs at a show, and it has been history since then. My life has been changed by this breed, and their preservation is a major driving force in my existence.
Christina (Chris) Miller: I have been in dogs my entire life. There is even photographic evidence of me at a dog show in the womb. I became interested in Canaan Dogs in 1997, with my first dog being whelped in 1997 and arriving in January of 1998.
Christina (Chris) Miller: I have attended handling classes in the past for puppy socialization and training. I have not attended any in-person handling seminars. I do see and understand the benefit of both classes and seminars.
Christina (Chris) Miller: I have not used any virtual learning tools. I do know of a few handlers who have online classes and have seen positive results in their students. Any tools that can help to improve presentation and strengthen the bond with your dog are to be commended and utilized when available.
Christina (Chris) Miller: I do compete in the NOHS (National Owner-Handled Series). I enjoy the opportunity to present my dogs to a wider range of judges—i.e., the possibility to show them to NOHS Group Judges who may not see a Canaan Dog otherwise. Rankings are secondary to me, and I have a very polarizing opinion of rankings. Granted, I’m not going to scoff or turn down top rankings, but rankings have become more important than the dogs to some people within the sport. I can remember a day when a Breed win over a lovely entry was far more important than being in the Top Five for your breed. Quality needs to be vastly more important than quantity.
Christina (Chris) Miller: Class dogs/puppies are entered in Bred-By when applicable. I was very thankful when the Bred-By Puppy class was approved by AKC. I am very appreciative to the clubs that offer the Bred-By Puppy classes. In the rare cases that I’m not showing a Bred-By dog, my dogs go in their age-appropriate class, or if aged-out of Puppy, they go in Open.
Christina (Chris) Miller: My parents were my original mentors and instilled in me that the dog’s needs always come first, sportsmanship and respect of your competitors is paramount, and above all have fun with your dog. Over the years there have been many other handlers who have helped me hone my handling and grooming skills. The late Mel Holloman guided me most with the finer points of campaigning my Canaan Dogs. I can still hear him in my head asking me to “lengthen your stride.”
Christina (Chris) Miller: The benefits of competing with my Canaan Dogs as an Owner Handler are the times spent with my dogs. Canaan Dogs bond very tightly with their owners, and the time spent with them in the ring only strengthens that bond. I enjoy presenting my own dogs to judges and the fancy. In the beginning, we were a mostly Owner-Handled breed; that has changed over the years to 50/50 Owner/Professional-handled. I do utilize Professional Handlers when I have more than one special that needs to be campaigned, but I will always remain on one of the specials. I take great pride in campaigning my own dogs and truly appreciate all the accolades my dogs have received.
Christina (Chris) Miller: I’d like to think that I’m encouraging new exhibitors by example. Currently, I have two Fast CAT friends who have now started in Conformation. I had asked one of them to show my veteran at the AKC National Championship. We practiced a bit, but I knew my veteran would show her what to do. And he did; the smile on both of their faces is a memory that warms my heart. We then went on to co-own a Canaan Dog, on which she put a major and a few points. She now has her own Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) show prospect and the two of them are learning together with much success. The other friend has recently acquired her first show puppy, a Miniature American Shepherd (MAS). I, along with her breeder, have been helping her learn proper grooming and presentation techniques for her MAS. Encouraging these friends, and others, to go out and have fun in the Conformation ring is what I can do best. Educating and guiding them about how to present the best attributes of their exhibits helps them to become better handlers. You have to be able to recognize your dog’s virtues and faults to present them to their best advantage.
Christina (Chris) Miller: Above all, presentation of the Canaan Dog starts in puppyhood. Early socialization is key for a Canaan Dog that will be presented well in the Conformation ring. Naturally aloof in temperament, the Canaan Dog can be difficult to present in the ring. Positive experiences in the ring are what younger dogs need; don’t worry about being perfect—that will come with positive ring experiences and time. Actual presentation will depend on the individual dog. Ears up, tail up when standing. This can be achieved both standing beside the dog and/or standing in front of the dog; it all depends on the individual. My current special has an invisible line between his ears and tail. If I have ears, I typically don’t have a tail. If I have tail, I typically don’t have ears. Thus, with this dog, I stand beside him to help encourage his tail to stay up over his back. My previous special I could show like a Doberman Pinscher; out in front at 10 feet with bait, and have ears and tail. Gaiting should be at the speed appropriate for the breed—a quick, brisk, natural trot.
Christina (Chris) Miller: My goals as an Owner Handler remain the same as always: To present Canaan Dogs of quality to judges and the fancy. I have had many memorable victories, both here and abroad, but the one that has eluded me is to actually handle one of mine to a Westminster Kennel Club Best of Breed win.
Christina (Chris) Miller: There are multitudes of funny stories I could share. One of my favorites was a Herding Group placement at one of the larger, more prestigious shows. We had gone up East for Bucks and Trenton, shows that had been on my bucket list for years. I had a brother/sister duo in tow. Mel Holloman was handling the sister, and I was on the brother. The sister had been doing very well and was on a roll. That particular day, I took the Breed with the brother.
We were in the lovely Herding Group on the beautiful grounds at Bucks County. I believe I was one of three Owner Handlers in the Group that day. I felt I had no chance, with many of the top Herding dogs and handlers present in the Group, so I went in to just have fun with my dog and let the fancy see him. We rarely went up to this part of the country, being from the South, so I was happy to have a new audience see him. He showed like a dream, probably because I felt no pressure. Robert Frost was our judge and commented how lovely my exhibit was during the exam. I thanked him and did my down, back, and around. Mr. Frost did not make a cut that day. He pulled out Greg Strong and his Bouvier des Flandres for First and then pointed in my direction. I literally looked left, looked right, did the “who me” signal, to which I was greeted with a “yes, you” from Mr. Frost. I was gobsmacked and could hear the cheers and laughter from my friends at ringside. To have garnered a Herding Group Two among that lovely competition, and at a bucket list show, was a moment I’ll cherish forever. To have been that stereotypical Owner Handler who didn’t believe she could place among some of the finest of the day, and the “who me” reaction, still makes me giggle. Believe in yourself and, most of all, believe in your dog.
Meet the Owner Handlers
Owner Handler Natalie Lewis discusses Longhaired Dachshunds, Bloodhounds, breed preservation, and success in the ring.
