JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP/HANDLING
American Kennel Club/AKC American Shetland Sheepdog Association
At the AKC site you will find a lot of interesting an useful information on doing AKC junior handling. They also offer scholarship, a newsletter you can subscribe to. Juniors are important to the future of the sport of dogs and responsible dog ownership, and the more they learn, the more valuable they become. The values, attitudes and responsibility learned through Junior Showmanship will serve youngsters well throughout their lives. By putting time and effort into learning about their dog and how to present it, juniors are rewarded with a win.
The ASSA site has an excellent Junior Handler site full of all kinds of information. The ASSA also offers scholarships for juniors planning on attending college.
If you have experience in either AKC Junior Handling or 4-H and think that you would like to continue on with showing Shelties in AKC in Michigan please contact Julie Grandquist (Flint area) or Julie Desy (Detroit area). Both are interested in helping juniors learn the finer details of showing and grooming Shelties for AKC. This is an excellent opportunity of anyone that would like to become a handler. You will learn what actually goes on behind the scenes and the work that must be done to present the dogs at shows. Handling is a lot more than just showing up at a show and presenting your dog. They are willing to take on one or two juniors a year.
CAREERS IN
DOGS
from the AKC web site
We wish you the best in your search for a rewarding and satisfying career!
Professions in the Sport of Purebred Dogs
Handler
To understand what a handler does, you should understand what a dog show is and
how it works. The sport of conformation, or dog showing, is a competition to
determine which dog conforms the best to its breed standard. A breed standard is
a written set of requirements that describe how a dog of that breed should look
and behave. Only registered purebred dogs are allowed to compete in dog shows.
Purebred dogs are dogs whose parents and ancestors are of the same breed.
Dogs from the same breed compete against each other to become Best of Breed,
which is the dog that best meets the requirements of its breed standard on that
day of competition. Some dog shows stop here. These are called specialty dog
shows. All-breed and group dog shows go further. Dogs that win Best of Breed go
on to compete for Best in Group. The American Kennel Club divides the more than
150 breeds it registers into seven groups. The seven winners of Best in Group
then go on to compete for Best in Show.
At dog shows, the competition takes place in show rings. The show ring is the
physical space where the dogs are shown and judged. A handler accompanies a dog
into the ring and shows the dog to the judge by standing the dog for examination
and moving around the ring with the dog. It may seem simple, but a handler's job
is not as easy as it seems! The skill of handling a dog to show off its best
qualities, while at same time not getting in the way of the judge's ability to
observe the dog, is one that requires years to master. Professional handling can
be a full-time job.
Professional handlers are paid to handle other people's dogs at shows. One of
the most popular reasons to hire a professional handler is to help a dog receive
the title of Champion. To become a Champion, a dog needs a certain number of
points. Dogs receive points based on how well they do during the competition
with other dogs of their same sex. This requires several trips to different dog
shows. Once a dog receives its championship, the owner can "campaign," or
compete with, the dog to accumulate more Bests of Breed, group wins and Bests in
Show. All this requires time and travel, so many owners are happy to hire a
professional handler to accomplish these things for them. Negotiating contracts
between owners and the handler, filling out the necessary forms to participate
in dog shows, and coordinating a travel schedule are also part of a handler's
job.
In addition to showing, handlers spend their time preparing dogs for shows,
which involves grooming and conditioning, with some training. Most professional
handlers have assistants that do much of this preparation work. In fact, if
becoming a professional handler interests you, consider becoming a handler's
assistant. This is an excellent way to start acquiring the necessary hands-on
experience and knowledge required of a professional handler. AKC Junior
Showmanship is another way of getting hands-on experience. To participate, you
must be between 10 and 18 years of age. In AKC Junior Showmanship, the handler
is judged on how well the dog is handled in the show ring, not on the show
quality of the dog.
Professional handlers usually charge their clients a per-dog per-show fee and
travel expenses, with an additional fee to keep dogs in their kennel when they
are not being shown. If the handler acts as an agent, negotiating potential
breedings and related matters, he or she may also collect an additional fee.
Even though the income potential may seem high, the expenses are substantial.
Only after you have paid for travel expenses, maintaining your kennel, and
salaries for your assistants, will you be able to draw your own salary.
To be happy as a professional handler, you will need a strong love for the sport
of purebred dogs. You will also need to enjoy frequent travel. Strong
interpersonal skills are a must, since you will deal with many different people,
especially clients. You may not have much free time, but many of your social
contacts in the dog show world have the potential to become good friends.
Judge
A judge at a dog show decides how well the dogs in the show ring match their
breed standard. Even though the job of a judge may be simple to understand,
judging dogs is no simple task. As with becoming a professional handler,
becoming a dog show judge takes years of experience and in-depth knowledge of
purebred dogs. Some dogs that enter the show ring may not be good specimens of
the breed. However, most dogs that enter the show ring are good specimens, and
it takes a very trained eye to notice all the details that make one dog better
than the others.
If your goal is to judge, you will need to start learning as much as you can
about purebred dogs. Often people start out with one or two breeds they are
interested in. They own a dog or two of their favorite breed, and they learn all
about the breed. They may enter the dog in shows and maybe even act as the dog's
handler.
Some people may volunteer to become ring stewards. Ring stewards help the judge
in the show ring with organizing the paperwork and ribbons. After acquiring lots
of experience with the breed, perhaps they may ask to judge at their local
kennel club's match show. A match show is like a dog show, except no points are
given. It is held just for fun and experience. Once you are knowledgeable about
your breed, you can consider applying to the American Kennel Club (AKC) to
approve you as a judge for your breed. As you learn about other breeds, you can
apply to the AKC for approval to judge additional breeds.
Making a living as a dog show judge is not really an immediate possibility for
most people. As you slowly demonstrate your judging ability, more assignments
may be given to you. Most people have another job for many years before they try
to make a living from judging.
To give you a better idea of the experience you need before applying to become a
new breed judge, here are some of the prerequisites: at least 10 years of
involvement in the sport; breeding and raising at least four litters of one
breed; and producing at least two breed champions from those litters.
What you can do now is go to dog shows. Compete in AKC Junior Showmanship. Join
a local kennel club. Talk to breeders and consider getting a dog of your
favorite breed. Learn as much as you can, and judging might be in your future!
Show Superintendent
Show superintendents perform the detail work involved in dog shows. Show
superintendents are companies, even though some of the individuals are referred
to as show superintendents, too. As the number of dog shows increases every
year, so does the need for show superintendents.
Office staff and field staff divide the work of the show superintendent. The
field staff are sometimes responsible for setting up and tearing down the ring
equipment, which includes the partitions that form the rings, tables and chairs,
as well as the boxes of materials prepared by the office staff. The office staff
are responsible for producing the premium list and catalogs, as well as
supplying the ribbons and trophies. Office staff also receive the entry fees
that exhibitors send with their entry blanks from the premium list. The premium
list is a booklet that includes the names of judges attending the show and the
trophies offered, with a few entry blanks. The catalog includes information on
the individual dogs entered, including the sire and dam (father and mother),
date of birth, and registration number. The names of the breeders and owners of
the dogs are also listed.
The local kennel club contracts the show super-intendent about a year in advance
of the show. Show superintendents usually receive a standard fee plus an
additional amount based on the number of dogs entered.
The best way to learn this business is to work for an established show
superintendent. Only after several years of experience can you start your own
business.
Professional Field Trialers
Professional field trialers train and handle dogs for field trials. Field trials
offer practical demonstrations of a dog's ability to perform in the field the
functions for which it was bred. Field events are open to pointing breeds,
retrievers, spaniels, Beagles, Basset Hounds, and Dachshunds. Events vary
according to breeds and the specific functions they were bred to perform, but in
each case, dogs compete against each other for placements and points toward
their championships.
To succeed at this profession, field trialers must know how to train dogs to
compete. Getting started as a field trialer requires working for an established
trainer and learning the skills proficiently. Professional field trialers keep
dogs for years in order to train them. The salary depends on how successful a
field trialer is, which is largely determined by the success of the dogs in
events. Some of the most successful field trialers who train and handle 20 to 30
dogs at a time, can earn a healthy income.
AKC Staff
Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club (AKC) is the principal purebred dog
registry in the United States. It is also the leading regulatory agency for dog
shows and performance events. The AKC has more than 500 employees.
To fulfill the AKC's responsibility to oversee the sport of purebred dogs, the
executive field staff attend dog shows and performance events, serving in many
different roles. An extensive background in purebred dogs is a must for the
executive field staff.
The AKC GAZETTE, published monthly, has a staff of editors, as well as an art
and design department. Other AKC jobs are as diverse as customer service,
finance and accounting, and computer software development.
Other AKC departments include advertising, public relations, public education,
canine legislation, and a library. There are many career opportunities
available.
Service Professions
Groomer
Groomers are the barbers and beauticians of the dog world. Bathing, brushing,
combing, trimming and styling a dog's coat are only some of the responsibilities
of a groomer. Cleaning ears and cutting nails, as well as cleaning teeth and
getting rid of fleas, are also part of a groomer's job. Several breeds have
unique requirements that groomers must also learn.
Many groomer's clients are members of the dog show fancy, meaning people who are
actively involved in the sport of purebred dogs. Groomers are an important part
of the process in getting dogs ready for the show ring.
Grooming show dogs requires special bathing, clipping and brushing techniques.
Pet dogs, which are also part of a groomer's clientele, usually do not require
the same level of attention as show dogs.
Many groomers learn on their own. Some start as groomer's assistants and learn
by observing the groomer. Nevertheless, the best place to learn is probably at a
grooming school, especially if your experience with dogs is limited. The courses
do not usually last more than a few weeks, financial aid is often available and
most of the time the schools will help you find a job after you successfully
complete the coursework.
Grooming has the potential of generating a comfortable income. There is plenty
of flexibility in this career. You can work out of your own home and set your
own hours. You can work part-time or full-time. You can also choose to work at a
grooming shop, or open up your own shop. Some animal hospitals and pet supply
stores offer grooming services.
To be happy as a groomer, you must be willing to deal with the occasional
difficult dog and client. You also must be willing to invest the time it takes
to build a solid base of clients. If you enjoy working with dogs hands-on,
grooming can be a rewarding profession.
Trainer
Dog obedience trainers teach dogs how to respond to commands. They also teach
dog owners how to train their own dogs. As long as people continue to own and
enjoy dogs, there will always be a need for dog obedience trainers. Dog owners
who give their dogs at least the most basic obedience training are much happier
with their pet dogs. The neighbors and the community are better off, and the
dogs are happier, too!
There are many opportunities available for dog trainers, including basic and
advanced obedience training; training dogs to work with the blind, deaf and
disabled; training dogs to search for lost people, drugs and bombs; and training
dogs to work in movies, television and theater. However, all of these
opportunities start with the basics.
Some trainers are lucky enough to learn directly from other established and
well-known trainers. Some trainers learn by going to a school for dog obedience
trainers. Regardless of the method, to become a competent and successful dog
obedience trainer requires hard work, years of experience and a strong love of
working hands-on with dogs almost every day.
There are some trainers who make a living just from teaching individual dogs the
basics, but most trainers make a living teaching owners. Trainers of dogs that
compete in field events are a notable exception. Field events test how well
certain breeds help their owners hunt. This kind of training is very
specialized, so many owners choose to hire a professional.
Once a dog obedience trainer is proficient in teaching the basics and advanced
training, such as giving hand signals instead of voice commands, the trainer may
consider specializing in one or more of the kinds of training mentioned above.
These specializations take even more time to learn and master, but there is a
demand for them.
Animal Behaviorist
Animal behaviorists are to dogs what therapists and psychologists are to humans.
They analyze behavior problems in pets and recommend solutions to their owners.
As the number of pets and pet owners continues to increase, the demand for
animal behaviorists will grow, too. The ability to make a living in this field
is limited to those people who have extensive knowledge and experience.
This is a relatively new field, and there are still only a small number of
practitioners. A solid academic background in animal behavior and extensive
experience in dealing with a variety of animals in hands-on situations are
necessities. Even if you specialize in only one or two animals, such as dogs and
cats, acquiring the amount of knowledge and experience necessary to be competent
will take years.
Dog Sitter
Much like a baby sitter, a dog sitter takes care of a dog in the dog's home
while its owner is away. In addition to making sure the dog has food and water,
dog sitters are sometimes asked to take care of miscellaneous things such as
picking up the mail, feeding the fish or watering the plants.
Reliability and trustworthiness are essential to being a dog sitter. Basic dog
knowledge is helpful as well.
Fees are usually based on a per-visit/time-spent basis with additional fees for
taking care of any miscellaneous duties. Even though many dog sitters only work
part-time, there are opportunities to work full-time, especially in urban areas.
Some people have started their own full-time dog sitting agencies, with several
part-time employees. Dog sitting is a growing field.
Dog Walker
Dog walkers do just what their name implies -- they walk other people's dogs. In
many urban areas, it is not uncommon to see a dog walker with three or four dogs
going to the local park during the middle of the day. Dog walkers are less
common in rural areas, but suburban areas also seem to be developing a need for
them.
As with dog sitting, reliability and trustworthiness are essential for dog
walking. Patience in handling several dogs at once, a willingness to be outside
in all kinds of weather and a love for dogs are important.
Fees are usually based on a flat hourly rate. Again, as with dog sitters, many
dog walkers only work part- time. However, there are definitely opportunities to
own a dog-walking business with part-time employees.
Boarding Kennels
Boarding kennels for dogs are like hotels for humans. Dog owners temporarily
place their dogs in boarding kennels when, for whatever reason, they must be
away from home.
Some of the job opportunities that are available by working in a boarding kennel
include owner, manager and assistant. Owning your own boarding kennel and having
someone else manage it may be the most ideal situation, but to start out,
assisting or managing a kennel is more likely.
Since operating a kennel requires many different tasks to be completed on any
given day, kennels always need assistants. Some of the tasks that kennel
assistants perform are cleaning and disinfecting runs and crates, as well as
giving the dogs food and water. Occasionally assistants bathe and medicate dogs,
too. Additional tasks include providing dogs with exercise, playtime and love.
Kennel managers run the overall day-to-day operations. These include dealing
with clients personally, receiving and releasing dogs from the kennel, ordering
food and supplies, overseeing maintenance of the facilities and supervising the
assistants.
Fees are charged per-dog per-day with other fees charged for additional
services. Even though owning and operating a kennel may provide enough income to
make a living, many kennel owners do provide additional services to supplement
their income. These additional services can make the difference between just
getting by and making a comfortable living. Some of the additional services
include professional grooming, extending boarding services to cats and other
animals, and providing transportation for dogs to and from their homes to the
veterinarian, airport and other locations. Kennel managers and assistants are
usually expected to perform these additional services, too.
Retail Professions
Dog Food and Pet Accessories
Dog food companies and companies that make pet accessories are closely linked to
the dog world. As with any other large corporation, they offer many different
career opportunities.
Typical jobs range from clerical to management to sales. Many of these companies
also have special jobs for those people who want more involvement with the dog
world. Some have representatives who travel to dog shows across the country.
Many companies sponsor dog-related events and programs, allowing regular and
direct contact with the world of dogs. Salaries at many of these companies are
competitive.
Novelty Items
Creating and selling dog-related novelty items can be a fun and profitable way
to make a living. However, it may take some time and hard work to invent a
unique product that people will want to buy. Some common novelty items include
dog figurines, jewelry, toys and T-shirts.
Many dog-related novelty items are sold at dog shows and in dog supply catalogs.
Both provide access to the people who are most likely to be interested in your
product. At dog shows, vendors of novelty items rent booth space from the local
dog club. As dog show spectators and exhibitors walk around, they wander past
the vendors and almost always purchase something. If your dog-related novelty
item is a success, consider renting booths at shows nationwide. Many of the same
people you find at dog shows also receive dog supply catalogs. Catalogs are
advantageous because you can reach more people at once than at a dog show.
How much or how little you make selling these dog-related novelty items is
mostly up to you. It depends on the popularity of the product, whether you work
part-time or full-time and how well you market your product.
Pet Supply Stores
Pet supply stores offer a wide variety of products for pets and their owners. In
addition to pet food, most pet supply stores sell toys, books, pet furniture and
other pet-related items. Employment opportunities include owner, manager and
support staff.
As with any small business, owning a pet supply store requires specific
management skills. As owner, you would be making business decisions that must
enhance your store's income potential. To acquire these skills, consider taking
a course on how to run a small business. Many local community colleges offer
such courses.
Managing a pet supply store involves running the day-to-day operations. Some of
the responsibilities include ordering merchandise and other supplies,
bookkeeping, paying bills and delegating work to support staff. As a member of
the support staff, some of your responsibilities would include stocking shelves,
installing and maintaining displays, helping customers choose what products to
buy, working the cash register and general cleanup.
Many pet supply stores offer additional services, such as professional grooming,
to supplement their income. Some pet supply stores also work together with local
animal shelters and dog clubs to educate the public about responsible pet
ownership. These events are not only good for the community, but are also good
for business by enhancing the pet supply store's status and introducing its
services to potential customers. As a manager or member of the support staff,
you would also be involved with these additional services.
Salaries are sometimes modest, but enough to make a living. If you enjoy working
with people and want to learn more about animals, especially dogs, you may want
to consider working at a pet supply store.
Health Care Professions
Veterinarian
Veterinarians are the first people who probably come to mind when anyone thinks
about a career with dogs or other animals. The job of a veterinarian is similar
to that of a human physician, except that veterinarians work on animals. Some
people might argue that veterinarians actually have a harder job than human
physicians. While human physicians only have to know the human body,
veterinarians have to know about many different kinds of animals, not just one.
Also, animals cannot tell you their problems, which makes accurate diagnosis
hard.
Just as there are many kinds of physicians for humans, there are many different
kinds of veterinarians. Some examples of veterinary specializations include such
diverse disciplines as dentistry, chiropractic, dermatology, pharmacology and
ophthalmology. A veterinarian may choose to specialize in general animal care,
although he or she usually specializes in either large or small animals. Large
animals include farm animals and horses. Small animals include dogs, cats and
other common pets.
To become a veterinarian requires dedication, education and expertise. Starting
in high school, you will need an interest and a very strong background in math
and science. Potential veterinary students must complete four years of
undergraduate school. Pre-veterinary studies include math and science, with a
large emphasis on biology and chemistry, as the major components.
After you have successfully completed your pre-veterinary studies you will be
ready to go to veterinary school. It takes four years of full-time study at an
accredited veterinary school to receive a DVM degree, which stands for doctor of
veterinary medicine. After receiving their DVM degree, veterinary school
graduates must pass a licensing exam before they can work as veterinarians.
Once veterinary school graduates pass their licensing exam, they are ready to
start their new careers as veterinarians. Usually these new veterinarians are
not able to afford the costs involved in establishing their own practice or
clinic. Some of the many start-up costs include purchasing or leasing space and
equipment, as well as acquiring the necessary office and medical supplies. A
common situation for a recent veterinary school graduate would be going to work
at an established veterinary hospital for several years, and then perhaps
becoming an equal partner with the other veterinarians who own the hospital or
setting up a clinic of his or her own.
A typical day for a veterinarian who specializes in small animals might include
checking on a dog or a cat that was just neutered the day before, performing
surgery on a dog to remove a tumor, seeing clients, ordering blood tests,
administering vaccinations, diagnosing illnesses and handling emergencies.
Veterinarians, almost without exception, make a comfortable living. It's
important to keep in mind that even though their income has the potential to be
lucrative, veterinarians have numerous costly expenses to maintain their
practices. These expenses include insurance premiums and salaries for veterinary
technicians and assistants.
A strong love for animals is necessary to be happy as a veterinarian. There are
moments of satisfaction, such as when you are able to help an animal recover
from an illness. There are also moments of frustration, such as when you have
done all that you can, but you have no other choice than to euthanize the
animal. Overall, the rewards can far outweigh other considerations, as long as
you are willing to make the required commitments of time, energy and money to
become a veterinarian.
Veterinary Technician/Assistant
Veterinary technicians and assistants share many of the same responsibilities.
Since these two jobs are similar, sometimes the term "veterinary assistant" is
used to describe both positions. However, veterinary technicians have additional
training. Without the important help that veterinary technicians and assistants
provide, veterinarians would have an almost impossible job.
A veterinary assistant's job is to assist the veterinarian with miscellaneous
tasks. These may include caring for animals staying at the hospital or clinic
overnight, helping clients, general clean-up of the facilities and clerical
work.
If the veterinary hospital or clinic is large, veterinary assistants may only
specialize in one or two things. If the veterinary hospital or clinic is small,
veterinary assistants are often expected to perform a variety of tasks all by
themselves. Most of these tasks are usually learned on the job.
Veterinary technicians are responsible for many of the same tasks as veterinary
assistants. Additional responsibilities include operating laboratory and
surgical equipment. Many of the technical skills required of a veterinary
technician can be learned on the job working as a veterinary assistant. However,
many schools now offer classes to become a certified veterinary technician.
Both jobs require a love of animals and an interest in veterinary medicine.
Veterinary technicians and assistants must also be able to work in an office
environment and deal with both pleasant and not-so-pleasant pets and their
owners. Salaries vary, but usually range from modest to competitive.
Veterinary Science and Research
Veterinary science and research is a large field that offers several career
opportunities. Some of the people involved in veterinary science and research
have an occupation directly related to veterinary medicine, such as
veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants. Many others,
such as corporate executives, fund-raisers and clerical workers, do not.
However, all these people are working toward the same goal.
In general, veterinary science and research is dedicated to improving the health
and lives of animals. Many different kinds of companies support and sponsor
studies to develop new methods of treating and preventing illness. Some examples
are pharmaceutical companies, dog food companies and universities. Other funding
sources include private donors, government agencies and charitable
organizations, such as the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
As mentioned above, this field offers career opportunities to people with many
different kinds of skills and backgrounds.
If your skills include administration and office support, perhaps you should
consider a clerical or management position in a department at a pharmaceutical
company involved in finding a cure to a genetic disease in your favorite breed.
If your skills include math and science, perhaps you should consider becoming a
veterinary technician at a university conducting research on improving life
expectancy for older dogs. The list of possibilities goes on and on.
Salaries in this field vary significantly, as do the kinds of jobs.
Regardless, there should be plenty of opportunities to find a career in
veterinary science and research that will allow you to earn a sufficient income.
Law Enforcement Professions
Animal Control Officer/Humane Officer
Animal control officers work for animal control agencies. These agencies are
either contracted or created by cities and towns to enforce animal control laws.
Some examples are pet-licensing laws that require dog owners to obtain a license
from the municipality and an identification tag for their dog, as well as leash
laws that require dog owners to walk their dogs on a leash in public. Animal
control agencies and officers may also pick up lost/stray animals and catch
dangerous ones.
In addition to enforcement of laws, animal control agencies and officers try to
find good homes for the stray dogs and cats they pick up. They also try to find
the owners of lost animals. Investigating allegations of animal cruelty is yet
another function they perform.
Humane officers work for privately funded humane organizations educating the
public about responsible pet ownership. A municipality will often contract a
humane organization to act as its animal control agency. In this case, the
humane officers assume the role of animal control officers. If the local city or
town creates its own animal control agency, the humane officers will often work
closely with the animal control officers to achieve their mutual goals.
Salaries for these positions are comparable to those for police officers. To be
successful in this field, you have to be able to work hands-on with people and
animals. Animal control officers and humane officers provide an important and
often forgotten service to the community.
Animal Shelter Staff
Animal shelter staff is often comprised of a large number of volunteers. These
volunteers help with the more basic and time-consuming tasks, such as exercising
the animals, cleaning their holding areas and helping people who come to the
shelter to adopt a dog or cat.
Volunteers often fill a large number of staff positions at animal shelters
because many shelters do not have large budgets, so they need to dedicate the
funds they do have to caring for the animals.
Members of the animal shelter staff who do receive a salary are responsible for
managing the animal shelter. Some of these salaried employees include managers,
clerical workers and accounting/finance positions. However, even some of these
positions can be filled by volunteers, sometimes leaving very little room for
salaried employees. Availability of these salaried positions depends on the size
of the animal shelter, as well as the size of its budget.
Salaries for animal shelter staff are modest, but it is possible to make a
living. If you enjoy caring for dogs, this field is worth considering.
Police/Military K-9 Units
Police and military K-9 units use dogs to search for illegal drugs, bombs and
explosives, missing persons and people who become trapped after natural
disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes.
Sometimes police K-9 units also use dogs to apprehend criminals attempting to
escape arrest. Military K-9 units use dogs during war to help with guard duty
and to send and receive important messages.
Members of police and military K-9 units are responsible for the dogs in their
care. Both the dog and the police/military handler work together as a team. The
handler regularly trains with the assigned dog and gives the dog exercise and
companionship. They also practice old commands and learn new commands.
Professional trainers are often responsible for teaching the dogs and handlers,
but, after that, the handlers take over daily reinforcement.
Salaries are sometimes slightly higher than what an average police officer or a
member of the military would make because of the specialized nature of the work.
In addition to first becoming a police officer or a member of the military, you
will need special training to work with these kinds of dogs.
Artistic Professions
Writer
Writers have many kinds of opportunities available to them in the dog world.
Some outlets for dog writers include magazines, newspapers and books.
There are several general-interest dog magazines across the country that cover a
variety of subjects, including how to choose a dog and basic training. Also,
there are many dog magazines that target the dog fancy, such as the AKC GAZETTE,
and include such topics as how to breed a healthy dog and important news from
dog shows. Both kinds of dog magazines are usually open to hiring novice
writers, as long as those writers have some dog knowledge.
All kinds of newspapers nationwide, from daily to weekly and big to small,
usually have a regular pet column. Even if they do not have a regular pet
column, most have feature articles about pets. Here again, novice writers have
an excellent opportunity, especially with the smaller newspapers, as long as
they have some dog knowledge.
Dog books are numerous and cover a wide variety of subjects. Topics include
introductory dog-care information, advanced training techniques and individual
breed histories. In addition to nonfiction books, the demand for fiction dog
books is growing, especially children's books. With such a large number of areas
to cover, there will always be space for ambitious dog writers. Of course, the
more detailed the subject matter, the more specific the writer's knowledge of
dogs must be.
Another outlet for dog writers are dog food companies and other dog-related
retail companies. These companies provide different kinds of brochures and other
handouts about their products and on basic dog care.
To be a successful dog writer, you must first become a competent writer.
Learning to write well does not just happen. It requires years of practice and
begins with learning the basics in school. Once you feel that your writing
skills are up to the challenge, you will need to acquire experience. Writing for
the school newspaper is a good way to start.
Salaries will range from modest to comfortable. It will all depend on your level
of expertise in both writing and dog knowledge, as well as what kind of material
you are writing and who will be paying you. Making a living as a writer is not
always easy, but it is possible for those who have skill and determination.
Photographer
The number of photographers specializing in animal imagery is growing rapidly.
While some focus on wildlife or farm animals, many others focus on family pets.
There are even some who focus exclusively on dogs, though that number is small.
Many animal photographers do not start out with the intention of becoming an
animal photographer. The art of photography itself is what usually attracts
people. Only after they have learned their craft and can make a living do they
begin photographing animals exclusively. However, as the field becomes more
established, this pattern may change.
You can learn about photography on your own as a hobby, from a friend or by
taking classes at a local college or photography studio. Whichever way you
choose, it will take time and money to learn the basics. It will take even more
time to learn how to photograph dogs and other animals.
If you would like to focus on dog photography, one of the most common places to
find work is at a dog show. Many dog clubs hire an official photographer to take
pictures of all the winners. You can also meet people that would be interested
in your work by renting booth space at the show. Other common outlets for dog
photography are dog books and magazines.
Your salary will depend on whether you work part-time or full-time and how well
you market yourself. However, quality is most important. Animal photography is
an art. If done well, people will pay for it.
Illustrator
Illustrators specializing in animals have much in common with animal
photographers. Some focus on wildlife, many others focus on pets such as cats
and dogs. Some prefer a very realistic approach, while others specialize in
cartoon-like illustrations. Both animal photographers and illustrators share
many of the same clients, as well as the same outlets for their work. Additional
outlets for animal illustrators include note paper, clothing, calendars and
other similar products.
Illustration is an art that must be learned and done well before considering it
as a career choice. While there are people that make a living as animal
photographers, the market for animal illustrators is smaller. However, many
animal illustrators do make a good living. Talent and self-promotion are vital
to your success in this field.
Additional Resources
For more detailed information about specific dog-related careers and jobs,
contact these organizations:
Professional Handlers Association
17017 Norbrook Drive
Olney, MD 20832
301-924-0089
National Dog Groomers Association of America
P.O. Box 101
Clark, PA 16113
724-962-2711
www.nationaldoggroomers.com
Animal Behavior Society
Indiana University
2611 East 10th St. 170
Bloomington, IN 47408-2603
812-856-5541
www.animalbehavior.org
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
17000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
856-439-0324
www.petsitters.org
American Boarding Kennels Association
1702 East Pikes Peak Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
719-667-1600
www.abka.com
American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847-925-8070
www.avma.org
National Animal Control Association
P.O. Box 480851
Kansas City, MO 64148
www.nacanet.org
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
424 East 92nd Street
New York, NY 10128
212-876-7700
www.aspca.org
Professional Photographers of America
229 Peachtree St., NE, Suite 2200
Atlanta, GA 30303
1-800-786-6277
www.ppa.com
The Graphic Artists Guild
90 John St., Suite 403
New York, NY 10038
1-800-500-2672
www.gag.org
Recommended Reading List
The following books contain more information about dog-related careers
and jobs:
*Barber, Kim. Career Success With Pets. New York, NY: Howell Book
House, 1996
*Miller, Louise. Careers for Animal Lovers and Other Zoological Types.
Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 1991
*Pavia, Audrey. Careers With Dogs. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational
Series, Inc., 1998
The following books contain general information about purebred dogs:
*American Kennel Club. American Kennel Club Dog Care and Training. New
York, NY: Howell Book House, 1991
*American Kennel Club. The Complete Dog Book, 19th Edition Revised. New
York, NY: Howell Book House, 1997
*American Kennel Club. The Complete Dog Book for Kids. New York, NY:
Howell Book House, 1996
The American Kennel Club (AKC) sponsors more than 15,000 dog competitions each
year held by member clubs (the AKC only has dog clubs as members) and licensed
clubs; supports and promotes the sport of purebred dogs; and has more than 550
member clubs and more than 4,500 affiliated clubs.
The American Kennel Club Mission Statement