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Sammie Lewis shares her journey as a professional handler, her approach to preparation, and thoughts on the evolving dog show world.
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Sammie Lewis: I am a second-generation professional dog handler, so this sport has truly been part of my life from the very beginning. My mother was an all-breed Professional Handler, and I was born and raised in Alaska, where I began showing dogs at a very young age.
I earned my first Group placement at just seven years old with our family’s Curly-Coated Retriever. A few years later, I competed in Junior Showmanship and 4-H while continuing to handle in the Breed ring. At ten years old, I won my first Group One and Best Junior Handler on the same day under the legendary Michelle Billings—again, with that same family Curly-Coated Retriever. That moment solidified for me that this was what I wanted to do.
After high school and aging-out of Junior Showmanship, I handled professionally throughout Alaska while also working in the medical field for ten years. In 2010, I moved to Washington State to pursue professional handling full-time.
What continues to keep me passionate about this career is great dogs. Not only the dogs I handle, but the great dogs presented by my colleagues as well. Seeing an exceptional dog in the ring is still inspiring to me. I also love taking a young or inexperienced dog with raw potential and helping to shape that dog into a top-level show dog. Watching that transformation—from untapped promise to polished competitor—is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Sammie Lewis: To me, being a true professional means conducting yourself with integrity whether anyone is watching or not. Professionalism extends far beyond what happens inside the ring—it is reflected in your work ethic, your character, and how you treat both people and animals every day.
Over the years, I have learned the importance of carrying yourself with class, both in victory and in defeat. Being gracious whether you win or lose is essential. At the end of the day, we are not the ones pointing, and there is always another dog show.
Most importantly, the safety and welfare of the dogs in my care will always come first. There will always be another show, but there is nothing more important than the well-being of the animals entrusted to me. I believe a true professional never compromises a dog’s health, safety, or happiness in pursuit of a ribbon.
Sammie Lewis: The first thing I do with any new dog is build a relationship with them. Any skilled handler can guide a dog through the motions and get through a class, but what creates that extra spark in the ring is genuine trust and connection between handler and dog.
Before I ever focus on performance, I spend time getting to know each dog as an individual—taking them on walks, playing with them, and learning what motivates them. Like people, every dog is different, and understanding what makes each dog “tick” is essential.
Once that trust is established, I begin the training and conditioning process. Conditioning varies based on the individual dog—some are biked, while others are conditioned on the trotter. Coat preparation and grooming are equally individualized depending on breed and coat type.
Ultimately, what I believe produces consistent top-level performance is the bond between handler and dog. When a dog truly enjoys working with you and wants to please you, that enthusiasm and confidence show in the ring. Having fun together is key.
Sammie Lewis: One of the biggest changes I have seen in the sport is the influence of social media. In many ways, it has been positive—it allows breeders, handlers, and exhibitors to showcase dogs, celebrate wins, and connect with people across the country and internationally in ways we never could before.
At the same time, social media has also created challenges. It can place increased emphasis on perception over substance and sometimes encourages people to focus more on publicity than on preserving breed type, sportsmanship, and long-term development.
I also believe mentorship has changed significantly. Years ago, learning often happened through observation, hard work, and earning opportunities over time. While there are still many wonderful mentors in this sport, fewer young people seem willing to immerse themselves in the hands-on learning process the way previous generations did.
That said, I remain optimistic. There are many talented and passionate newcomers entering the sport, and when experienced professionals are willing to mentor, and younger exhibitors are willing to learn, that is when our sport is at its best.
Sammie Lewis: One trend I have noticed is that many Juniors compete in Junior Showmanship and then leave for the day. While Junior Showmanship is incredibly valuable, I believe Juniors gain the most when they remain at the show and continue learning beyond their own class.
I encourage Juniors to watch handlers they respect and not be afraid to approach them. Many young people find Professional Handlers intimidating, but in reality, most handlers would be more than happy to share knowledge with someone who is eager to learn.
Even starting with simple tasks—walking dogs, watering, helping to set up—can open the door to valuable hands-on education. That is how many of us learned.
For any Junior interested in pursuing professional handling, my advice is to stay curious, stay humble, and be willing to put in the work. There is no substitute for experience when it comes to learning breed-specific care, presentation, grooming, and ring craft.
Sammie Lewis: On the West Coast especially, one of the biggest challenges facing our sport is the rising cost of participation combined with a limited number of shows.
Travel expenses have increased dramatically. Fuel, hotels, flights, grooming setups, and general show costs continue to rise, making it more difficult for many exhibitors and clients to campaign
dogs consistently.
In addition, exhibitors on the West Coast often have fewer shows available and must travel significant distances compared to many exhibitors in other parts of the country.
Despite these challenges, I remain hopeful because the quality of dogs and dedication of exhibitors remains strong. We continue to see passionate Breeders, Owner-Handlers, Juniors, and Professionals investing in the future of the sport. If clubs continue to adapt, create worthwhile events, and focus on attracting and mentoring newcomers, I believe the sport can continue to grow.
Sammie Lewis: One thing I would like the fancy to know is that while I may be campaigning a high-profile dog in a particular breed at any given time, I am an all-breed handler—not someone limited to one specialty.
Outside of dogs, my greatest priority is my eight-year-old daughter. When I am home, I try to make life as normal and balanced as possible for her, and spending quality time together is what helps to keep me grounded.
Being a mother has given me perspective and balance in a profession that can be incredibly demanding. It reminds me that while dog shows are important, there is also life outside the ring—and maintaining that balance helps me bring my best self to my clients and dogs.
Sammie Lewis: This year, I am campaigning my breeder/owner-handled Chinese Crested as we work toward achieving the all-time Best in Show record with her. She is currently the No. 2 Toy Dog according to one publication’s statistics.
While we have traveled extensively earlier in the year, my plan for the remainder of the year is to stay more local whenever possible. This allows me to spend more time with my daughter during the summer while remaining available to support all of my client dogs and continue providing them the attention they deserve.
As always, my strategy is simple: focus on presenting each dog to its fullest potential, remain thoughtful and strategic with scheduling, and continue striving for excellence every time I step into the ring.
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