Meet the Owner Handler: Lori Chowning

Meet the Owner Handler: Lori Chowning

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

Lori Chowning: The breeder of a Borzoi I’d picked wanted him to be shown through his championship—so I did. The next dog I’ve shown is my current dog, Balfour, my first Scottish Deerhound.

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

Lori Chowning: I was 30 years in Borzoi when I showed my last one. I have seven years with my first Deerhound; he’s seven years old.

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

Lori Chowning: I’ve attended local handling classes as well as other handling classes across the West. They were helpful in mimicking the scene of dog shows—other breeds, the ring, and the commotion.

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

Lori Chowning: I found Puppy Culture as I was picking up my first Deerhound at 11 weeks old. I followed the easy, fun, step-by-step instructions in building a show dog from puppyhood on up. I had no idea how to train a Conformation dog, as I showed my first dog, a Borzoi, without any idea how to train him. How to train wasn’t part of the handling classes I’d attended.

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

Lori Chowning: Yes, I’ve competed in the National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) from the beginning. Rankings make it fun. NOHS may be a side show, but competing are top dogs in their own Breed as well as in all Groups. We are dedicated. Balfour has, I think, nine OH Bests in Show.

Balfour’s NOHS record:

1st year – No. 8

2nd year– No. 4

3rd year – No. 2

4th year – No. 1

5th year – No. 1

6th year – No. 2

7th year – No. 1

For 2025, he was No. 7 Breed and No. 4 All-Breed, as well as No. 1 NOHS. Balfour is NOHS Platinum. So far for 2026, we’re currently No. 1.

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

Lori Chowning: I enter Balfour in Best of breed with NOHS. He is a veteran now and still showing well. We don’t normally get into much Deerhound competition since they’re rare in areas where I show out West, but he is always nationally ranked.

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

Lori Chowning: I haven’t had a mentor per se, but I’ve gotten tips on grooming and showing from handlers Shari and Beep Lee as well as a few others.

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

Lori Chowning: The benefits include extra innings, more ring experience, and being part of a community of other competitive Owner Handlers and their nice dogs. I joke that it’s the “little kids” ring, but in reality, it is fiercely competitive.

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

Lori Chowning: I’ve paid forward the help I received when I was new by helping others.

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

Lori Chowning: I see many styles of showing/handling in Scottish Deerhounds, which appear to work well for them. I don’t have any suggestions.

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

Lori Chowning: My goal as an Owner Handler is to get a good ride out of my dog and let the chips fall where they may. Balfour and I have a great time in the ring. This is a place where he has my undivided attention. It’s all about him, plus he “makes bank” on high-value treats.

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

Lori Chowning: As a “young bronc” of less than a year old, Balfour fixated on the leash as a tug toy, ripping it out of my hand in Group. He’d race around the ring, jumping, punching the air, and shaking his show lead. The other dogs were pretty excited over his brief bout of mayhem, but I pulled out a treat and he actually came to me and self-stacked. It was like
a dream.

On my birthday, I had a wardrobe fail while wearing a new/used outfit for the first time in the Group ring; my skirt fell to the ground on the turn during the down and back. I thought, “What’s that feeling around my feet?” I heard an audible gasp in the crowd as I pulled up my skirt, adjusted my jacket, and continued back to the judge… who was laughing. He said, “I won’t make you do that over because I don’t think you want to do that again.” Earned us a Group 4.