When people hear the price a PROFESSIONAL charges, they either assume that "fame" has gone to their heads or they instead go to a "cheaper' handler. True, there are people that will show your dog for a really cheap price. And many claim they are handlers. Yet if you REALLY look again you will see these people only show dogs at local or area shows. Travelling with your dog is out of the question ("I don't have room"....."You have to take your own dog and groom it') so of course they charge a cheap price. These people are also so anxious to get into the ring they will take ANY DOG as long as you are willing to pay them.. And breeder/handlers often take other breeders' dog so they can point their own dogs off of them.

 

 

But can they win????????

 

So why do we charge so much? If you have ever traveled to a show you know the costs involved...Motel, Gas, Food. We have the same expense. And as we are showing for you to save you money, the fees we charge you goes into paying our expense.

 

Let's take a look at the cost to travel to a show. How about to Thunder Bay?

 

Distance is not easy on any van be it yours or not. Repairs to a vehicle are typically included. Sometimes we have to rent a bigger vehicle to accommadate all the dogs and equiptment. So typical cost for a cargo van for a weekend...........................................$350.00

 

At current rate of 80 cents a litre($4.50 a gallon) with road rate of 90 cents, add a van full of dogs and your consumption of gas increases. Include travel to and from show site.........................................................................$250.00

 

Average rate is $80. per night. Plus GST/PST. Plus deposit for dogs in room-yes we DO NOT leave dogs at shows! And as we are in a motel/hotel we HAVE to clean up after the dogs outside so garbage bags are needed........................................................................$350.00

 

WHOA you say. You already have the grooming supplies! Well, I don't use Hair Spray on a Field Spaniel, nor do I use Chalk. But if I have a Poodle or a Sheltie to show I need this stuff. We DO NOT bill the cost of these items directly to you...they are included in the fees. Surprised? A can of hair Spray is about $16.00 and is good for 5 weekends. That makes it $3.20 a weekend. And the same for any other BASIC grooming item. Yes I charge a "grooming" fee but that is for a dog I pick up that is NOT show ready ie. a dog with matted fur....................................................................................$50.00

 

Now this is tricky. I include BASIC meals-NOT five star restaraunts  but usually club dinners, Tim Hortons etc. Whenever possible I choose a Motel/Hotel with a bar fridge so food is whatever I pick up at a store. Also includes EXTRA food for client dogs. Yes, your baby will need that biscuit he/she loves when he/she shows well(I believe in rewards). Or cooked ground beef when he/she is homesick and won't eat the food. And bait...............................$75.00

 

Did you ever wonder what happens if Rover gets an upset tummy, or the runs, or a mosquito bite that irritates? Pepto Bismal, ASA and items like this are essencial to handlers. We TAKE CARE of Rover and see that your baby  is comfortable.........................................................................$40.00

 

 

So now you know that $65.00 per dog per day only puts a dent into our cost to show your baby. Even at a weekend rate of $150.00 per dog we HAVE to have 8 dogs to break even. This is why when we have 10 dogs we can offer a lower rate. We are not "cheapening" ourselves but passing the savings off to you the client.

 

Another point to consider......"if" you use a "cheap" handler at a regional show, expect a point here and there. So you pay possibly $50.00 a weekend and possibly get three points. Do this EVERY YEAR and you will get your championship in FOUR YEARS. You will miss out on other breeders and judges seeing the quality of your dogs, potential puppy buyers seeing your dogs-after all a PROFESSIONAL HANDLER acts as your agent at shows and we PROMOTE YOUR KENNEL...does your cheap handler do that? Of course not...not if you are showing in your already established market!

 

Also unlike your "cheap" handler, we know our judges. We know IF a judge will like your type, colour, etc or not. We DO NOT waste your money....if the judge isn't right for your dog we will NOT enter your dog under that judge. PERIOD! We are already known and DO NOT plan to use YOUR money to better us!

 

And as we are particular on the quality of dog we handle, we have a great reputation with judges. A "cheap" handler will show anything...so by the time YOUR dog goes into the ring the judges are use to THAT face on poor dogs. So how will YOUR dog come across to the judge??????

 

So consider us this way...for the cost of ONE puppy we can put a championship on your dog.