The Owner Handler | Piper Leiper

Interview with the Owner Handler: Piper Leiper

I am a devoted Owner Handler of Shiba Inu, a breed that captured the hearts of myself and my identical twin sister, Ariel, with whom I co-own all of my dogs. Both Ariel and I use our skills as professional zookeepers to successfully manage our
at-home menageries.

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

Piper Leiper: When my twin sister, Ariel, and I were 8 years old, we saw the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on television. We were transfixed. We immediately knew we wanted to be able to do that someday. The one small problem was that we didn’t own a dog.

Our parents were not involved in the sport of purebred dogs, and rightfully, felt that our very busy lifestyles would make it difficult to find one that fit. They finally got tired of us begging for a dog and told us if we could find a breed that fit their stringent requirements, we could have one. It took several years of research, but in 1998 we found the Shiba Inu, and never looked back. We purchased our first pet Shiba at that time, “Tai,” from Leslie Engen of San Jo Shibas. I’m indebted to Leslie for our introduction to the breed. Ariel and I did a phone interview with her, and were so thankful she took us seriously as not just new Shiba owners but first-time dog owners. She met us with a baseline assumption of our competence. She has also, in many ways, honed my eye for type in the breed.

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

Piper Leiper: I’ve had Shibas for 26 years. For many of those years, I was peripherally involved in the fancy while working on building up my career (I am a zookeeper by trade). Throughout this time, I was constantly seeking education on the breed, but it’s only been very recently that I’ve begun to live out my dreams of consistently competing in the Conformation ring.

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

Piper Leiper: I do attend handling classes. I try to attend local all-breed handling classes as a way to approximate the show ring environment for my dogs. I’m also extremely lucky to take handling classes with Tia McLaughlin of Kumi Shibas. She has taught me many of the finer points of handling our breed in particular.

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

Piper Leiper: I’m a voracious learner. If there’s a resource out there, I’ve likely found it. In particular, I have recently really enjoyed the George Alston seminar on AKC.tv. Childhood me would’ve LOVED to have had that available. My parents can probably attest to the fact that Ariel and I wore out a video cassette tape we made of WKC in the late 1990s, trying to learn from the handlers.

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

Piper Leiper: I do compete in NOHS with my current special, BISS GCH Masakado Le Lion De Chanel BCAT ATT. I’ve always been a competitive person throughout my life, and so the NOHS rankings are a physical manifestation of the work we have put in together. He is a typey example of the breed, and I’m proud to present him. Seeing his name in both in NOHS and Breed rankings is a dream come true for me.

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

Piper Leiper: I enter in whatever class most benefits the individual dog. Currently, I am specialing Leon, as well as showing one of his daughters in the Puppy Classes.

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

Piper Leiper: I’ve already mentioned Leslie Engen of San Jo Shibas. Without her, I likely would never have owned a dog at all. Her knowledge of this breed, and her willingness to share that knowledge, is a blueprint for successful programs, in my eyes.

Lindsay Tompkins of Masakado Shibas is the breeder of Leon, my special, and Téa, my puppy bitch (who I co-own with Ariel as well as my parents—they got sucked into the sport!). Lindsay has been enormously supportive of me. I began showing Leon for her as a puppy. It was my entry back into showing dogs, and I was delighted to be given the opportunity. I was incredibly honored when she offered him to me on co-ownership. We have a great friendship, and I’m particularly impressed with her ability to breed truly versatile dogs that are not just competitive in the show ring but in a variety of sports as well.

Tia McLaughlin of Kumi Shibas has taken me under her wing as well. She is the consummate handler. She understands this breed deeply; how to get the best out of each individual dog, how to recognize and showcase their finer points, and the nuances of animal husbandry. I learned more about handling from Tia in six months than I learned from every book I read on the subject over the years. She has a knack for teaching, and expects the best from you. It has helped me rise to the occasion.

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

Piper Leiper: This breed is a partner and not a subjugate. You will not get far if you are overbearing and heavy-handed. It takes time to learn the individual, and this is where Owner Handlers do have a distinct advantage. We have that time.

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

Piper Leiper: I cannot stress enough how easy it is to be welcoming to new people! The fancy does sometimes have a reputation for being elitist, and I think, for brand new people coming to a dog show, that gets borne out when they’re ignored ringside, told not to pet dogs, etc. People who are foreign to dog shows don’t necessarily realize we’re nervous, or that coats can get mussed before ring time. I make a habit of always telling people interested in my dogs exactly when they can come back and meet us. It’s amazing how much you can make people feel at ease and like they belong just by acknowledging their existence.

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

Piper Leiper: Shibas are not miniature Akitas, and as such, shouldn’t be presented like one. “Moderate” is used in our Breed Standard probably more than any other word, and so with that in mind, racing a dog around the ring isn’t correct. They should be moved in such a way to show a light, nimble, elastic trot.

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

Piper Leiper: I’m still at the beginning of my Conformation journey, but I have had several successes along the way. I’m most proud of handling Leon to (our first!) BISS. Specialty wins will always mean the most to me, as there is so much nuance in this breed. Having my dogs be recognized by breed specialists is always my number one goal. Leon has taken multiple OH Group wins as well, and is currently ranked in the Top Ten NOHS, and Top Twenty Breed. We’re working towards that OH BIS!

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

Piper Leiper: Last year, I had Leon on the table in the Breed ring. The judge asked me to show his bite. I complied, and they reiterated that they needed to see his bite. Confused, I showed the sides, thinking maybe I just hadn’t made the side view clear enough. The judge looked at me and said, “I can’t see the occlusion.” Only then did I realize that Leon had been sticking his tongue out the entire time!