Rating:

5.0 (2 votes)

The 54th annual Electric City Kennel Club dog show in Great Falls is attracting canine lovers from all over the country.

But some of the handlers at the show aren't much older than the dogs they're showing.

"The hardest part about him is getting his expression to show because he's super lazy, but you gotta love him. And the easiest part is probably just having fun with him and just looking at him and seeing how much fun he's having," said Kayleigh Knight, a junior handler for her dog Reggie, a Leonberger.

Despite all the fun, the competition is quite serious. But unlike their professional counterparts, junior handlers aren't being judged on the qualities of their dog.

"In juniors, they judge how well you handle the dog rather than how the dog looks. And it's a very competitive, very tough class," said Sari Breitenfeldt, who is handling her dog Rye, a Brittany.

Judge Jo Ann Dutton says she enjoys judging juniors because it teaches them many skills that can be applied outside the ring.

"It is also one of the best building blocks I think for many things. It's not just in dogs, but in real life," Dutton said.

Dutton says although there are four spots, only one of the handlers can come in first place.

"Patience is a big part of it, and you learn how to lose, lose well," said Breitenfeldt.

But despite all the competition and life lessons, junior handlers are in it for the dogs.

"I like it because it's not a usual sport that people do. And it's super fun because you get to see a whole bunch of different types of dogs, and I just love dog showing because they're just so fun," said Knight.