The Pro Shop: The Place for Pro Handlers – Susan Larkin

Interview with Susan Larkin

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How long have you been a Professional Handler? How did you get your start? Who are/were your mentors and with whom did you apprentice?

Susan Larkin: I am from the Chicago area, but in recent years I moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I now reside on my grandparent’s original property, where I spent summers growing up. Truly a magical place to live. I started out in the mid-1970s, owner-handling my black Great Danes. I joined the Great Dane Club of America and the Illini Great Dane Club, where I am currently a proud Lifetime Member. I have been active in the club in many capacities, and have served on the Board during all those years in every position except Treasurer. (I have math challenges, lol.) I had the privilege as having as one of my mentors the late Pat Lawrence of Von Waldheim Great Danes.

Pat was a founding member of Illini GDC, and we became wonderful friends. We bred fawn and brindle litters together until her untimely death in the mid-1990s. I still hear Pat’s wise words in my head. I count as mentors in those early days, and also even today, many prominent Dane breeders and others willing to share their knowledge and friendship. My love was always in presenting a dog to its best, and in doing so, getting to know the dog’s personality, and form a deep bond, which is essential to presenting them to their individual best. Always listen to the dog!

Following my goal to become a knowledgeable and professional handler, I officially worked for three years for Nancy and Bryan Martin, top all-breed handlers, who at that time were living near me in the Midwest. I learned so much and I’m so grateful for those opportunities then that serve me well today. I cherish our friendship always.

I have been a Professional Handler for over 30 years. In Great Danes and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, I was fortunate to handle both breeds to Platinum Grand Championships. I have handled to multiple Bests in Show in Danes, and to Top 5 positions in both Breed and All-Breed standings in Danes and Swissys. I recently handled the first Merle Great Dane to be awarded a Best in Futurity at the GDCA National. I have had the honor to judge both the Top 20 and the Futurity at the Great Dane National. I was also honored to judge the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog National Match and Specialty Sweepstakes. I have had the fun of putting titles of Farm Dog, Urban CGC, and Temperament Test on Swissys.

My love was always in presenting a dog to its best, and in doing so, getting to know the dog’s personality, and form a deep bond, which is essential to presenting them to their individual best.

2. As a Professional Handler, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? Has judging changed since you first began showing dogs professionally? What do you think about the number of shows today? Is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?

Susan Larkin: I am proud to be a professional handler in the sport today. I feel the code of ethics among professionals remains strong. As a whole, the dog show community can be counted on to come together when problems arise and will be there to help each other when needed. In my opinion, judging has not changed since I first began as a Professional Handler over 30 years ago. Then and now, the majority of judges respect their own reputations and their crucial role in this sport, and are working hard to find and reward the best dog in their ring on that day.

Overall, I do not think we have too many dog shows. If our shows became few and far between, we stand to lose many exhibitors who would be considering the high cost of travel or the rarity of dog shows in their area as a hardship. Social media offers more good than harm for our sport. Information is more readily available, and it is fun to share puppy pictures, show wins, and stories of our dogs. The harm can be when negative drama is overblown and publicized. To remedy that, don’t respond and keep on scrolling!

3. Have the changes made to the Rules Applying to Dog Shows been good for the sport of dogs? Any thoughts on Reserve Best in Show? What about earning points through a Group win or placement? Do you agree that Reserve Winners at a Specialty should earn championship points?

Susan Larkin: I was skeptical at first of the value of Reserve Best in Show when it first was proposed, but I am in favor of it now as I feel it does deserve a solid place in the awards. I believe that Reserve Winners should only earn championship points at a National Specialty. I am in favor of Group placements earning points, especially helpful for low entry breeds.

4. In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed? What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in your profession and in the dog show community over the past decade?

Susan Larkin: One of the biggest challenges facing us today is the lack of new people joining our sport. I feel one of a Professional Handler’s responsibilities should be to encourage and offer a friendly face to the new exhibitors, and the spectators who may eventually become exhibitors, especially today as we experience our sport shrinking. A positive change has been the advent of the NOHS, and the positive camaraderie between Owner Handlers and Professional Handlers willing to share their knowledge and expertise. I am encouraged when I see the younger handlers still upholding the traditional professional courtesies and values towards their clients and fellow handlers.

5. And finally, do you want to tell us anything else about yourself or do you have any messages for the rest of the fancy?

Susan Larkin: I am proud to be a Professional handler in the sport today. I am encouraged when I see the younger handlers still upholding the traditional professional courtesies and values toward their clients and fellow handlers. I feel one of a professional handler’s responsibilities should be to encourage and offer a friendly face to the new exhibitors and spectators who may become exhibitors, especially today as we experience our sport shrinking

I am proud to be a professional handler in the sport today. I am encouraged when I see the younger handlers still upholding the traditional professional courtesies and values towards their clients and fellow handlers.