Meet the Professional Handler: David Bueno

1. How did your journey as a professional handler begin, and what keeps you passionate about this career today? (We’d love to hear about your background, your mentors, and your first time in the ring.)

David Bueno: First off, I need to clarify that I am not a Professional Handler in the true sense of the word. I consider myself to be a Rhodesian Ridgeback enthusiast who happened to start showing my own dog in the early 1990s. After finishing him, I was hooked. At the start of my love affair with the dog show world, I showed mostly Ridgebacks I’d bred under the Westwood kennel name. Eventually, I was recruited to handle Ridgebacks for Bay Area acquaintances and eventually finished more than 60. My main Ridgeback client for the last 14 years has been Clayton Heathcock, Camelot Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I have had good success with a number of Camelot dogs, both class dogs and specials, winning multiple Bests in Show, Reserve Bests in Show, and Bests in Specialty Shows. Through the years, ring competition became like a drug, albeit a very time-consuming and costly one!

I learned by watching many successful handlers, including Karen and Mike Kurtzner, who handled for Clayton, Andy Linton and others. I also took many handling classes from teachers like Jeff Heim and Nitsa Trayler. Over time, I honed a few skills and became relatively decent at the craft.

Nitsa Trayler was one tough cookie. She did not let you get away with any mess ups. Some may not have liked her drill sergeant method, but I credit her with teaching me some great techniques. She often takes credit for my success in the ring.

2. What does being a “professional” mean to you, both in the ring and beyond? How do you preserve the traditions of being a true professional (and not a self-proclaimed one) and how do you ensure the safety of the dogs in your care?

David Bueno: Again, I first consider myself a dog lover, not a conventional “Professional Handler.” While I have shown dogs for others, in my mind, being a true professional means taking great care of the dogs, showing them to their best, and enjoying what you are doing! My dogs are spoiled to the core, as are dogs that I show for others. I don’t travel with a ton of other dogs, but rather a very few.

Something I have learned is over-training a dog can make them ring sour, while spending time bonding with them and playing with them so that they have fun in the ring is the most important thing that either a pro or a novice can do. Anyone can make a robot out of a dog, but having their spirit up makes them love it. As far as ensuring safety, I am very careful with the dogs under my care and treat them as though they were my own. I travel with a big Ford van and tow a nice travel trailer. The dogs are always in a climate-controlled environment in the van while on the road, and when done showing, they are with me in the trailer or very close by. I love to take the dogs on runs either on turf or at the beach when possible.

3. Can you walk us through your preparation process before stepping into the ring with a dog? From conditioning and training to mindset, what does it take to deliver a top-level performance consistently?

David Bueno: First, bond with the dog. Befriend them through touch or food, get the dogs to move freely on a loose lead and pay attention. Teaching them basics like showing teeth, stacking, and staying are critical. I like to bike them and get them to gait smoothly and freely. To get a top-level performance, you first must have a great representative of the breed. You need to be able to move at the appropriate speed for the dog and you need to disappear and let the dog shine. Of course, the dogs must be clean and shiny, and nails trimmed.

4. What changes have you seen in the sport over the years—for better or worse? What’s your perspective on judging trends, show formats, exhibitor behavior, mentorship, and the influence of social media?

David Bueno: I think one of the biggest changes I have seen out here in California is the lack of venues. More and more clubs are putting on shows at the same venues as facilities become scarce. The costs of showing have become too restrictive, between gas to get there, hotel costs to stay there, entry fees, and handling costs. It seems like a lot of our entry numbers are declining.

Overall, in the 35-plus years I have been involved, we have had similar issues, but some of the faces have changed. The biggest changes have been in social media. People posting online to promote their dogs has become HUGE! But it is a sign of the times.

I see most people are willing to share information and mentor others. Some should, maybe some shouldn’t! I think anyone sharing should really know the Breed Standards first. It is surprising, when asked specifics about the Standard, how many people don’t know.

5. How can we teach Juniors the importance of continuing to learn about different breeds, care and training, grooming and handling, and the value of keeping the essence of the sport alive?

David Bueno: Knowing the details of breed-specific coat, grooming, movement, etc., can only make them better exhibitors. So many Juniors are offspring of prior breeders/handlers that they come by it naturally, perhaps even genetically. So, obviously, dog show folks need to have more kids!

6. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the dog show community today? Where do you see growth, and where is improvement needed? Are there positive trends that give you hope for the future of the sport?

David Bueno: One common complaint that I have heard is judges putting up the handler at the end of the lead, instead of the dog at the other end of the lead. That story has been told since I started in the early ‘90s. While I honestly have felt that sting, I would hope more judges would keep their eyes on the dog being shown.

As far as growth in the ring, I see a great number of quality dogs being shown. Many people are paying attention and improving our breed.

At least in my breed, sadly, so many of the old mentors have passed on. Foundational mentors Diane Jacobsen (Calico Ridge), Alicia Hanna (Kimani), and Barbara Sawyer Brown (Kwetu), all passed away in the last two years. But their places are being filled by the next generation of breeders and that is a positive thing.

7. What would you like the fancy to know about you? Outside of dogs, what helps you stay balanced, grounded, or inspired? (Any hobbies, interests, or people in your life who help you recharge and bring your best self to the ring?)

David Bueno: As far as me? I started out running track and cross country in school; I think that has helped me when gaiting dogs. I always had dogs as a youngster, from a Beagle to a German Shepherd Dog. When I was walking through a park one day with my partner, we spotted a Ridgeback and fell in love. Like Lays potato chips, we couldn’t stop at one and at one point we had six! I now have my one girl at home. I take her everywhere I can and she keeps me going. I have been showing Brando for three years now and he has been the No. 1 Ridgeback for each of those years. He is a blast to show and is the best I have had my hands on.

8. Lastly, tell us about your plans for the year ahead. Who will you be showing and what are your strategies for achieving your goals?

David Bueno: For the remainder of 2026, my top priority will be Brando, who is currently the No. 1 Rhodesian Ridgeback for the fourth consecutive year. The future beyond 2026 may hold another year with Brando. That hasn’t been finalized just yet, but if he retires from the campaign trail there are a number of nice-looking Ridgeback progeny that I may get my hands on in the ring. My “strategy” for reaching my goals is to continue to have fun in the ring until it isn’t fun anymore!