A professional handler, sometimes called a professional dog handler is a person who trains, conditions and shows dogs in

conformation shows A dog show is an event where dogs are exhibited. A conformation show, also referred to as a '' breed show'', is a kind of dog show in which a judge, familiar with a specific dog breed, evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs '' ...

for a fee. Handlers are hired by dog owners or breeders to finish their

championship In sport, a championship is a competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion. Championship systems Various forms of competition can be referred to by the term championship. Title match system In this system ...

, or if finished, to show in the

Best of Breed A dog show is an event where dogs are exhibited. A conformation show, also referred to as a ''breed show'', is a kind of dog show in which a judge, familiar with a specific dog breed, evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs ''c ...

class as a "special".

Education

Becoming a professional handler does not require any formal schooling, but an

apprenticeship Apprenticeship is a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a Tradesman, trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study (classroom work and reading). Apprenticeships can also enable practitioners ...

under an established handler and an adherence to a

code of ethics Ethical codes are adopted by organizations to assist members in understanding the difference between right and wrong and in applying that understanding to their decisions. An ethical code generally implies documents at three levels: codes of bus ...

is sometimes required in order to join into one of the professional organizations.

External links

PHA, Professional Handler's AssociationAKC's Registered Handlers ProgramCanadian Professional Handlers Association
Dog training and behavior Dog shows and showing Dog-related professions and professionals {{dog-stub