Professional AKC Show Handling & Hand Stripping Services by Jill
Professional AKC Show Handling
Jill has spent much of her life working hands-on with dogs. Before entering the veterinary field, she worked professionally as a dog groomer, giving her a background that spans coat care, canine health, behavior, and breed presentation. She brought that experience with her into the world of AKC conformation, where she has successfully handled and titled dogs across a variety of breeds.
Jill knows the show ring, understands breed standards, and knows how to bring out the best in every dog she handles. She has put titles on an impressive number of dogs throughout her handling career, but if there is one breed that truly belongs at the center of her story, it's the Bulldog. Jill has successfully handled and titled Bulldog after Bulldog, and her connection to the breed doesn't end when she walks out of the ring. She is proudly owned by Bulldogs herself and has served as an officer of the AKC Las Vegas Bulldog Club.
Her background as a groomer and her long history in the veterinary field give Jill a perspective that reaches far beyond simply knowing how to present a dog. She knows dogs. She knows how to read the individual in front of her, find what makes that dog special, and bring it forward in the ring. That ability to let each dog shine is a big part of what has made her such a successful handler, whether she's walking into the ring with one of her beloved Bulldogs or one of the many other breeds she has helped on the way to a title.
Professional Hand Stripping
In addition to her work as a professional show handler, Jill is highly experienced in hand stripping Terriers and other wire-coated breeds. For the Terriers she handles in the show ring, she can provide both professional handling and the specialized coat work needed to prepare them for competition.
Jill also offers hand stripping to pet owners who want to maintain the beautiful texture and rich color of their dog's natural wire coat. While repeated clipping can gradually soften and lighten some wire coats, hand stripping helps preserve the natural characteristics these breeds are known for.
True hand stripping is specialized, extremely time-consuming, and physically labor-intensive work that requires considerable skill and experience. Because of the time and expertise involved, hand stripping is priced at a significantly higher rate than traditional pet grooming. Availability is limited, and Jill can discuss your dog's individual coat and your goals to determine the appropriate service and maintenance schedule.