The Owner Handler: Sharon Sherwood – Painted Sky Farms Welsh Springer Spaniels

Interview with Sharon Sherwood, Owner Handler of Painted Sky Farms Welsh Springer Spaniels

Originally from Michigan, we made Colorado our home 30 years ago, and that’s when I started showing in Conformation. I’ve had plenty of incredible jobs over the years, including almost 10 years with a local Chamber of Commerce, managing a full-service pet supply store, dog daycare and training center, but never did I think that my two loves would collide until I took my position at CuraCore VET. We teach veterinarian’s integrative medicine. It marries my love of dogs and the purebred dog community, with helping veterinarians learn to provide better care for their patients all around the world.

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

Sharon Sherwood: I’ve owned purebred dogs since I was a young child. My first was a Shetland Sheepdog, but we started showing Golden Retrievers in 1994. In 2010, we got our first Welsh Springer Spaniel and we’ve been smitten with the breed ever since.

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

Sharon Sherwood: Thirty years showing dogs, mostly in Goldens, but exclusively Welsh since 2011.

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

Sharon Sherwood: I have attended seminars in the past, and we always take young hopefuls to classes—it’s good to never stop learning!

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

Sharon Sherwood: Nothing beats learning in person. While all avenues give good tidbits here and there, having a real person mentor you is absolutely the best.

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

Sharon Sherwood: Yes, “Captain” has been the No. 1 NOHS WSS multiple years, five consecutive years as the top owner-handled Welsh (Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America), and he was the 2022 AKC NOHS National Champion. Having a ranked dog shows that it’s not just a single judge who feels you have a good dog, it’s a great many judges who feel that way.

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

Sharon Sherwood: Bred-By, and of course, Breed.

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

Sharon Sherwood: Bill Lauderdale, who sadly is no longer with us, started me and was a great source of wisdom. Shaun and Donna Jordan, Country Squire English Setters, are now the best friends, mentors, and cheerleaders I could ever ask for. Again, never stop learning!

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

Sharon Sherwood: I compete to compete—I just happen to also be an Owner Handler. I don’t enter a show JUST to compete in OH. Captain has three Bests in Show and five Reserve Bests in Show, along with the 11 NOHS Bests in Show.

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

Sharon Sherwood: Conformation shows are not for everyone, but should someone want to head down this crazy road, I help in any way I can. It’s a lot, learning all the nuances of the show world along with everything it takes to have a competitive dog, starting with knowing you have a dog that has type, structure, movement, etc. The only way this sport will continue is if we ALL choose to mentor new exhibitors.

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

Sharon Sherwood: Understand that not every judge will know the Standard as well as you—and you should be able to speak to, and present your dog to, that Breed Standard. If you’ve done that, win or lose, you still take home the best dog, so leave the ring happy!

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

Sharon Sherwood: I’ve been on an incredible journey with my dogs, and probably the only thing that has eluded me is going both Best in Show along with an NOHS Best in Show on the same day.

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

Sharon Sherwood: Captain went NOHS BIS at the 2023 International Kennel Club show in Schaumburg, Illinois. It was also the day of the NOHS Gala. When we were done taking photos, it was a race to get changed and get to the event, as in, actually running to get there—we arrived after everyone had already finished their dinner, just in time for the incredible IKC hosts to say a few words. We got a good chuckle about being the only ones not present at the NOHS Gala, because we went NOHS BIS!