Meet the Owner Handler Lisa Wiecki

Meet the Owner Handler Lisa Wiecki

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

Lisa Wiecki: I am Lisa Wiecki and my first Doberman Pinscher was a wedding present from my husband in 1995. My first potential show dog was brought home in May of 2020, but was not formally exhibited in Conformation until November 2022.

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

Lisa Wiecki: I’ve been in dogs all my life and have had a career in veterinary medicine since 1990.

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

Lisa Wiecki: I have attended numerous in-person handling classes.

4. Have you found virtual learning tools to be helpful? Videos? Websites? Social Media? AKC (American Kennel Club) Canine College?

Lisa Wiecki: When I first started showing in the NOHS, I spent hours watching videos of professional handlers to learn their secrets. I emulated many of them and “tried” to present similarly to the effortless way the pros presented their dogs in the ring.

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

Lisa Wiecki: Yes. I started the NOHS in September 2023 and ended September 2024 ranked No. 8 Doberman Pinscher Owner-Handled!!! In this current NOHS 2024-2025 year, I am again in spot No. 8 for Doberman Pinschers.

Last year’s NOHS rankings were very important, as one of my goals was to be invited to the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. We succeeded and drove from Connecticut to Orlando to attend the festivities this past December. This year, my focus is more on attaining Performance titles.

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

Lisa Wiecki: Currently, I enter Sobes, my current show dog, as Best of Breed and Owner-Handled.

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

Lisa Wiecki: My mentors are Pamela Stedman (Sobes’ Breeder) and Kelly Marquis (his first Professional Handler).

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

Lisa Wiecki: The Doberman Pinscher ring is competitive, with quality dogs and extremely talented Professional Handlers and Owner Handlers. I have to bring our best to the ring every time. It makes me show better, knowing that the competition is excellent in its own right.

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

Lisa Wiecki: I receive so much pleasure sharing my journey with other owners who have watched me from my start to our current standings. When I hear, “I would love to show my dog, but I’m scared,” or “I have no idea how to do it,” I encourage them to try. I share the pride and joy I experience when a judge points to Sobes.

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

Lisa Wiecki: My suggestion is to attend in-person seminars with a Professional Handler specific to your breed. It’s important that your mentor understand the Breed Standard and the specific “tips” to present your breed.

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

Lisa Wiecki: My original goal as an Owner Handler was to attain Sobes’ Grand Champion title. As of today, we are two points short of his Grand Champion Bronze. It’s beyond what I could have hoped for when I first started, and I hope that victory doesn’t elude us for much longer.

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

Lisa Wiecki: I was awarded Best of Breed Owner-Handled (BOBOH) at my very first show as an exhibitor; however, I did not know what that meant or what to do next. I had only checked off the Owner-Handled box on our entry form because I no longer had an “Agent.” I was awarded a Group Two Owner-Handled that day and spent the next week memorizing all the Owner-Handled rules!