How did you start in dogs? How did you first get involved in the sports of showing dogs?

When I was 16 I found myself by accident in meeting of my hometown KC, I became a member and they use me a ring steward a couple months later. I was so amaze for all this crazy people wearing jackets and ties ad running around with dogs. I got hook.

Who helped you the most in your beginnings? 

I have two main mentors, a retired Poodle breeder who live in my hometown and later I worked for a year for Clay Coady in Arizona who was well know with Terriers and Beagles as well. However, my ability to learn from watching many talented handlers help me a lot to define my style.

When did you decide to become a professional handler? What made you make that decision?

Well I started really slowly showing dogs for people. When I make to moved to Mexico City the things star to became serious and faster that I trough. I make that decision because in the ring I fell like ‘”fish in the water” and I fund the way to display my creativity. The connection with the dog is the most wonderful thing that life has been offered to me.

You are also a conformation judge. What do you enjoy more – showing or judging?

Hard question, I think I still like showing the most because let me explore my artistic side. Judging is a harder metal exercise that I also enjoy so much. Showing is like dance and judging is like play chest. But let me tell you something, get dress for be part for a dog show and don’t have to put the dogs out is an amazing feeling, LOL.

What do you think are the main advantages of having a dog shown by a professional handler? Are there any negatives?

The main advantage is very probably your dog going to look better and the chances of winning will be increase. The only negative is that you must pay.

What is the main challenge you come across as a handler?

There are many, be responsible of the dogs is probably the most important. Deal with the clients is complicate, everyone thing their dog is the best all the time and is not always the case. Then you have the conflicts, let somebody else show any of my dogs because I’m busy in another ring is very painful.

What breeds have you shown, and which are your most favourite?

OK The handler never chose the breeds; the breeds chose the handler. I show many from the 10 groups and my favourites are Pointers, Beagles, Mastiffs and Dachshunds. At my age is easy to fall in love with the quality, excellent dog for any breed and with the right temperament is always a pleasure.

How did Beagles enter your life?

The Beagle chose me, I have a couple before a bitch call Donna (Telocas and Chardon lines) with who I had a very strong connection. She was the one that make stay in the breeds for many years.

Which are the most memorable Beagles you have shown?

Hard to say, Donna was important, but in Mexico I can mention two; One call Rover D and Walter, those represent the breed very well with outstanding type and proportions. Later on in USA I showed two specials for the Robble family who the judges like them a lot, specialty breeder judges.

What do you most appreciate in Beagles the most?

As a judge you have to look at the whole dog but I think correct substances and proportions are the two pieces most important of the puzzle. Movement and type are important too. As a handler I have tricolours and dogs that keep the tail up all the time.

What is your most memorable win (any breed)?

I never have any win! My dogs are the one who win. But I can tell “my personal” three bigger BIS are:

1.- The day when I meet my wife in a dog show in Costa Rica (the most important by far.)

2.- The moment when I fell a client as a parent as a brother or as a kids. Clients many times became family. Probably at my 51 pretty son I will feel one a grand kid, ha, doesn’t happened yet.

3.- All the culture and knowledge that the traveling around the world has given me.

All the wins, including BIS, BOB at WDS and top winners in many breeds I give it the credit to the breeders. Breeders are the essence of our sport; we handlers are just the communication tool between the genetic background of the dog and the judge eyes.

Wait….! Thinking about Beagle wins I’m having a fantastic flash back, the Specialty win under Eddie Dzuik with the national winner next to me was very sweet.

What do you consider the most problematic handling issue nowadays? Has this changed over the years you have been involved?

I title one episode of my Podcast “Do you really want to be a handler, the sing of the mermaids” What I want to meant is there are many young kids that many people trust their dogs and they don’t really know how to take care about them properly.

The politics? I don’t really want to go there. I just going to say the rules must be clear and enforce properly. Will help if they are clear and don’t leave room for the personal interpretation and create a “grey zone.” The grey zone is a big problem in the USA.

How would you compare level of handling in the US and the rest of the world?

I think is not about level is about what the people is used to, you can find a talent person everywhere but in USA is more professional may be in part because is better pay. Handlers help the spectacular part of the show, never the improvement of the breeds. The respect for the dogs and the basic procedures is what really matters. The fancy things are just a plus and are no need to make a dog look good. Yes, I consider myself a very basic handler, you can tell.

Do you believe it is true that some judges will only put-up professional handlers and some prefer to put up anybody else than a professional?

Yes is happened a lot, in USA many owner handler do a good job, but many judges feel more comfortable follow the pattern that the did before that means put the handler up. Is in the human nature, that don’t mean is right

What is your personal recipe on how to deal with loosing?

Loosing under a judge that I respect and knowing I have the best dog is hard. Loosing under someone that I don’t know or having an only ok dog I don’t usually care. We professional need to recovery about loos fast, need to be mentally strong. Our next dog may be in the ring in the next 10 min and for that moment we need to be fresh and project a positive attitude. I’m not blind and I know I don’t always have the best dog; I just move forward.

Do you have a special way to celebrate wins?

As a Latin man I just don’t only have the ability, I have the need to show my emotions. In my early years in Mexico, I used to give a big jumps placing my arms high and all that. As a judge I like when my winners do that, is a way to show how much the award is appreciate. However, there are countries like USA where the etiquette code considered that like inappropriate. In my nowadays dinners with the owners are the way that we celebrate.

What is your philosophy in training show dogs?

Any dog needs to come to the ring with a basic training, yes, always help. However, what I really enjoy look a dog with a natural attitude for the ring and solid temperament. Every dog is different, I study them and I do everything that every individual need. My philosophy is base in the will to the dog to please me. Commands don’t work for me, any dog is smart enough to know what you want you to them to do. Communication with the leash is everything.

What would you advise to someone who would like to become a successful handler?

Be humble and always willing to learn, watch the ring that do imitated what to think look good and avoid doing what you think look bad. Yes, copy the good ones, your own style will be come later, will be like flower that open later. Any professional handler must use all his techniques to show a dog, you just need to pay attention.

Do you believe handling has a strong future in junior handlers?

Yes, there is always talent, FCI and all the dog organizations have programs to promote the sport between the new generation, however I think they can work harder in general.

Do you have any other hobbies apart from Beagles?

Of course, produce content in my several media channels keep me busy, I like make videos, but the way that I express myself better is writing. Communication is a big passion for me therefore I really appreciate the opportunity of have this interview and connect with more people. I’m strong believer that didn’t show and judge my best dog yet and that is my motivation to keep learning and moving forward. Thanks Alice, we all the Beagle people appreciate all your hard work in this project and I’m very happy to be part of it.

Please keep on mind “The best is about to come”

PHOTO SUGGESTIONS (HD quality):

• Wins with Beagles and other breeds
• your first show