Taylor Stone – Best Junior Handler – Progressive Dog Club 99th & 100th Shows

Taylor Stone – Best Junior Handler – Progressive Dog Club 99th & 100th Shows

Congratulations, Taylor Stone, on your Best Junior Handler wins at the 99th & 100th Progressive Dog Club shows! How did you celebrate your wins?

Taylor Stone: I’m not one for big celebrations, but I made sure that my Juniors dog, an English Toy named Mootsie, got all the cuddles and cookies she could need!

What was it like for you to be in New York City and show your dog at The New Yorker hotel?

Taylor Stone: This was my first time attending the shows in the city and it was such a unique experience. Unloading the car felt like a competition in itself, just to get all of the stuff out without being hit by a car or a passing bicycle. I really liked showing dogs at The New Yorker because of its convenience. Being able to get ready and your dog groomed and then just go downstairs and show made it so easy. It also makes you feel like the entire hotel is full of people you know; the community is more held together and that was a really nice feeling.

In your opinion, how does showing a Toy dog differ from showing a dog of another Group?

Taylor Stone: Soft hands! This applies to dogs of all breeds, but the Toys can be so small and delicate that you have to be able to handle them carefully. The English Toys are very sturdy little dogs, but they get their feelings hurt really easily. So, you have to be gentle with them.

Would you say the English Toy Spaniel makes a good partner in the ring? Are there any challenges?

Taylor Stone: Absolutely! ETs definitely have their challenges just like any other breed, but they can make great show dogs. The hardest thing with them is bringing them out of their shell and building confidence. I have been blessed with an amazing little dog who absolutely loves any and everything I do with her.

What does your dog mean to you now that you’ve accomplished these big wins together?

Taylor Stone: I didn’t get Moo until she was seven or eight months old, so unlike most of my dogs I didn’t get to build a relationship with her from the ground up. Not only that, but she’s still a puppy at only 16 months. It means so much when I win with her because she’s in there to have fun and nothing else.

Has Junior Handling made a difference in your life? In your family’s life?

Taylor Stone: Junior Handling has definitely made a difference in my life. I’ve only been in the sport of dogs for six years, but I’ve chosen to make a career out of it and that has been huge for my family. My mother did horses professionally and my grandmother showed some of her dogs under the kennel name Quail Roost, so having another generation come back into the sport has been great.

If you could give one reason why you enjoy showing dogs, what would that be?

Taylor Stone: Simple, the dogs enjoy it! Of course, we are here for a higher purpose: to ethically preserve the breeds and their purposes, but for me, at the end of the day, if the dogs hate what they’re doing then it’s not ethical.

Why do you think competing at Progressive is important for Juniors who show Toy breeds?

Taylor Stone: The Progressive Dog Club shows are not only the biggest but also the most prominent Toy shows in the country. They are definitely not something to miss if you plan on specializing in Toy breeds.

Can you offer any advice to Juniors who are thinking about showing in New York next year?

Taylor Stone: Remember, it’s New York City! It comes with the good and the bad. Be especially wary of the streets and make sure your dog knows how to potty in a pen or on shavings.

What’s next for Taylor Stone?

Taylor Stone: I plan to continue campaigning as the No. 1 AKC Junior until I age-out at the end of November.