Five Different Kinds of Mentors in the Dog World
Jan 20, 2026
Have you ever noticed that each of your friends has a different strength or superpower? We are all born with different interests, we all have lived different lives and had different experiences, and we all have things that fascinate us and we just can’t seem to learn enough about.
You have that, too. It’s that thing you do that comes so easily to you that you probably discount it as a talent, believing that because it’s so easy for you, it’s probably easy for everyone else. It’s not. It’s your strength, and something people would love to learn from you.
Other people have superpowers, too. They have deeper experience in different aspects of the sport of dogs than you do, and when you identify where you could benefit from learning more, then you know the kind of mentoring you need. Here are five different kinds of mentors that will help you accelerate your ring success:
- The Breed Mentor - This mentor knows your breed inside and out…structure, movement, breed history, and tiny nuances that might not be in the Standard but are important aspects of breed.
- Helps you understand why your breed should look and move a certain way
- Offers insight into strengths, faults, and long-term development
- Often a breeder, longtime exhibitor, or respected judge of the breed
Why they matter: They teach you to see your dog and your breed through educated eyes.
- The Ring-Craft / Handling Mentor - This mentor focuses on presentation…how you and your dog show up in the ring.
- Gaiting, stacking, free-baiting, and exam skills
- Ring strategy, spacing, timing, and judge awareness
- How to present your dog’s best qualities and minimize weaknesses
Why they matter: Great dogs don’t win if they aren’t shown effectively.
- The Conditioning & Care Mentor - This mentor helps with the physical side of showing dogs.
- Muscle development, coat care, nutrition, and fitness
- Age-appropriate conditioning programs
- Recovery, rest, and avoiding over-training
Why they matter: A well-conditioned dog looks confident, balanced, and ring-ready.
- The Sportsmanship & Culture Mentor - This mentor teaches the unwritten rules of the dog world.
- Ring etiquette and professional behavior
- How to handle wins, losses, and politics with grace
- Reputation, relationships, and long-term credibility
Why they matter: Your reputation travels faster than your dog.
- The Mindset & Confidence Mentor - This mentor works on the human side of the leash.
- Managing nerves, disappointment, and self-doubt
- Building resilience and consistency
- Staying focused on growth instead of comparison
Why they matter: The dog feels what the handler brings into the ring.
These are the mentors most owner-handlers need in order to compete against the professional handlers. How do you find them?
- When you’re in the grooming area, pay attention to the person people go to with questions you also have.
- When you’re ringside, look for the people who are paying careful attention to what’s happening in the ring. They might even have an open catalog in their lap, taking notes in it.
- At your kennel club meetings, sit with different people each time and pick their brains about their breed. When you find someone who’s easy to talk to, extend the conversation beyond the meeting. Take them to lunch. Ask if you can visit their kennel and meet their dogs.
Here’s a little secret…you can’t have too many mentors. The most successful owner-handlers don’t have one mentor… they build a village. Happy village-building!
