Meet the Owner Handler: Kelly Rutland

Meet the Owner Handler: Kelly Rutland

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

Kelly Rutland: When I purchased my dog, I had zero intention of showing or competing, and admittedly wasn’t aware of the plethora of sports that were available and how accessible they were. Once my dog got a little older, my breeder eagerly encouraged me to pursue Conformation. If it was not for her encouragement, there is likely no chance that I would have begun this journey.

I stumbled into Belgian Sheepdogs (BSD) by accident. I was coming from a family of K9 handlers and a family history of German Shepherd Dogs. I had a beloved bi-color, longhaired rescue German Shepherd named Ava. Ava had an outstanding temperament, and with her beautiful black, plush coat and gorgeous ear set, she had many similar attributes of the BSD. Also, having some experience in Belgian Malinois rescue, I knew that I had quite a bit of interest in Belgian Shepherds as a whole. The Belgian Sheepdog seemed to be the perfect homage to Ava and culminating my interest in Belgians.

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

Kelly Rutland: Both my father and uncle were K9 handlers for the St. Petersburg Police Department. My parents had German Shepherds before I was even born and there wasn’t a time growing up that I didn’t have one in the home. As an adult, I pursued a career working under several ring sport, personal protection, detection, and service dog trainers, and ultimately had a small in-home obedience training business alongside my vet tech career.

I spent a decade in German Shepherd and Malinois rescue/rehab, but Nico is my first ethically bred Belgian.

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

Kelly Rutland: Admittedly, I have never attended a handling class or seminar, but absolutely plan to at some point. The Belgian community is FILLED with spectacular owners, handlers, and even judges who have graciously helped teach me along the way.

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

Kelly Rutland: I have found that the streaming options have been immensely helpful in not only learning ring procedure and technique but even grooming!

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

Kelly Rutland: My first show EVER was Royal Canin in December 2022. Talk about jumping into the deep end headfirst! When I started showing I didn’t really understand NOHS, past knowing to check the box on my entry. Since I didn’t wholly understand the process, I didn’t really spend any time thinking about it. Late in the season in 2023, I began having quite a bit of success in the OH ring and realized I needed to brush up on my understanding, which also upped my drive and desire to compete. In 2024, I kept finding success, and before I knew it, I was sitting in the Top 10 with some outstanding dogs and fantastic handlers and then competed in the National Championship; appropriately again at Royal Canin in Orlando. Today, I find myself actively interested in still competing in OH, but as my showing schedule has slowed, it’s been harder to keep up on the rankings.

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

Kelly Rutland: I only got an opportunity to show in Open before moving to BOB. Hopefully, if there is another dog in my future, I’ll get a chance to experience some of the Puppy classes!

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

Kelly Rutland: The Belgian community has been incredible and there has been no shortage of people willing and available to help anytime, anywhere. Everyone from friends that I have made in this community, fellow competitors, and even handlers, owners, and breeders of other Herding breeds have been so influential. I am so grateful to every one of them. Although I could likely fill an entire page with gratitude and name every person who has helped me along the way, I absolutely wouldn’t be doing ANY of this without Nico’s breeder, Karen Weems, and really, Samantha Niemeck. Karen gave me my first crash course in handling, and with some blood, sweat, and potentially even some tears of frustration, Samantha continues to help me become a better handler. I think when some said this little newbie team couldn’t, Samantha believed we could and absolutely helped us make it happen.

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

Kelly Rutland: I think we are really lucky in BSDs because we are such a small community that we all get a pretty fair shot at this; we all know each other from across the country and many of us even have dogs that are related. Although we all want to win, I think most of us are pretty happy when any of us make it to the OH Group ring to represent our breed.

The Belgian Shepherd Breed versus Variety topic feels almost as old as time, but no matter where you stand on it, there is something REALLY cool about seeing all four varieties being represented together in the OH ring. I also think, being that the BSD is so heavily handled by Owner Handlers, it’s a great testament to where the breed came from and where it’s going.

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

Kelly Rutland: Coming from the hunter/jumper horse show world, there are a lot of my peers who are now getting older and we don’t bounce as well anymore or we’re looking for something different. Some may find they do not have the time or resources to devote to the show horse lifestyle, commitment, and upkeep. Dog showing is a great bridge to that lifestyle. I have a childhood best friend who, even while riding at my farm, took interest in what I was doing in the AKC ring. After attending several shows with me, she decided to join the fun and purchased a lovely Border Collie. She is also now actively pursuing the OH ring! I have my next sights on recruiting some junior riders for the Junior Showmanship ring!

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

Kelly Rutland: What I would love for exhibitors AND judges to remember when it comes to presenting Belgian Sheepdogs is remembering to show off its most desirable attributes: expression, silhouette, strong front and rear assembly, as well as a stable temperament. This breed is rarely to be hand-stacked as they should always stand square. It is pertinent to allow the breed to free-stack in order for the judge to determine how the Belgian Sheepdog stands according to the Breed Standard. I think this is a breed where we should ALWAYS remember “form follows function.”

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

Kelly Rutland: Of course, I think we all think about that Best in Show, and wow, what an accomplishment that would be! Frankly, for me, I’m still chasing that Group One win and would be over the moon with even that. My dog has done so much in such a short time, so all of my expectations for him have been met or exceeded. We could stop tomorrow and it would have still been plenty!

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

Kelly Rutland: I feel like I haven’t had anything funny happen.