Tanner Norris of Blanton went with his family to the dog show to look for a dog, but he found himself drawn to the world of show dogs.

He was almost 13 at the time, and two short years later he won second place in junior showmanship at the 2006 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Tampa.

Blanton, who is now 16, also reigns as the state’s top junior handler.

“Originally, we went to the dog show looking for a pet puppy,” says Tanner’s mom, Cherry Norris. “We stayed and watched the shows and Tanner said, ‘Mom, I think I’d like to do this.’ It just clicked.”

Mary Manning, coordinator for the Florida Classic Clusters, says, “Any child can show a dog.”

Her group will host the largest dog show in the state this month in Brooksville. Unlike some sports, this pastime doesn’t require a child to be of a particular size, Manning notes.

“It’s a very nondiscriminating sport. A child that may not be able to play football may be able to show a dog,” she says.

It’s also a family-oriented sport and one that prohibits poor sportsmanship and swearing, Manning says.

“It’s a wholesome sport,” she says. “I try to encourage people with children to get involved because it’s healthy, boosts confidence and encourages camaraderie.”

There are 763 junior handlers in Florida and more than 16,000 nationwide.

Tanner Heads To State Show
Next weekend, Tanner will show his Australian shepherds, 4-year-old Coda and 2-year-old Renegade, at the Florida Classic Clusters in Brooksville. He will compete in best of breed and junior showmanship.

Tanner and Coda began their show career together in 4-H, where Tanner learned much of what he knows about dogs.

Most recently, he became the No. 2 junior at the Eukanuba competition last month in Long Beach, Calif. In February, he will compete at Westminster in New York.

Tanner says he learned mostly by watching other competitors who do well in shows.

“I never officially had showmanship training,” he says.

Tanner’s mom is especially proud of his accomplishments because he has a severe reading disability that results from dyslexia and binocular vision dysfunction.

One of the skills he has developed by showing dogs is time management, Cherry Norris says.

“He has to move from one ring to the next, have the dog ready and groomed - sometimes there’s just a few seconds in between. He has to set up his own scheduling; I don’t do that for him,” she says.

Competing requires diligence, she says. “You have to be committed to the dogs.”

So what do child competitors do at a dog show?

Handlers Judged More Than Dogs
For those ages 9 to 18, junior showmanship is a great way to compete.

Children are judged solely on their handling ability, how well-manicured they are and how well they present the dog.

“It’s all about the junior,” Manning explains. “It has very little to do with the dog, although the dog does need to be AKC registered, well-trained and clean.”

Junior competitors need to have several appropriate outfits and be well-groomed.

If you think your child may have interest in this sport, Manning suggests attending various dog shows to learn about the breeds, watch the junior handlers and absorb the show environment.

“Talk to breeders and find out which dog may be right for you,” she suggests.

Some dogs are lower maintenance than others, particularly when it comes to grooming. One breed may only need a bath and a nail trim, while another may need much greater care. A standard poodle, for instance, can take eight hours to groom.

Since cleanliness is a big factor in judging, it is important to choose a dog whose grooming needs can be met by the child.

Lee Canalizo of Palm Harbor, who has been judging dogs worldwide for more than 30 years, hopes dog showing will become more popular with children.

“Showing teaches kids responsibility,” Canalizo says. “It gives them something to concentrate on and teaches them to win or lose gracefully.”

The pursuit of showing dogs requires a commitment of time and consistent involvement and sometimes influences career choices, Canalizo says. “Many of these kids become veterinarians, dog handlers and judges.”

Tanner would like to be a homeopathic veterinarian one day.

To learn more about showing dogs, attend a free “behind the scenes” tour at the Florida Classic Clusters, featuring American Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Shows, obedience trials and rally trials.

Event hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Jan. 13 to 21 except Jan. 17, when there is no show.

The tours offer information about dog shows: why they exist, how points are accumulated, what grooming requires and what judges look for in the ring. For an extra incentive, on Jan. 15, the first 100 children to take the tour will receive a free baseball cap.

Florida Classic Clusters takes place at Florida Classic Park, 5360 Lockhart Road, Brooksville.

Admission is free, and parking is $4. For information, call (813) 217-1395 or go to http://www.floridaclassicpark.com.

Learn more about how to introduce kids to showing at http://www.akc.org/kids_juniors.

CRITTER CALENDAR
Pet Pal Rescue Adoptions

Visit adoptable pets from Pet Pal Rescue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Saturday Morning Market, Central Avenue at Second Street in downtown St. Petersburg.

The Morning Market also offers fresh produce, baked goods, hand-crafted wares, live music, vendors and more. For information, go to http://www.petpalrescue.com.

Stop Pet Overpopulation

Neuter or spay your pet in 2007. SPOT (Stop Pet Overpopulation Together) and Pinellas County veterinarians kick off a Neuterathon, offering low-cost spay-neuters for dogs and cats from Jan.15 to 31.

Spay-neuter surgeries for male cats cost $35; female cats, $40; male dogs, $40; and female dogs, $45 to $90 depending on weight. For information, call (727) 545-3463 or go to http://www.spotusa.org.

SPCA Auction and Mutt Extravaganza

The SPCA Tampa Bay presents Kibbles ‘n Bids Mutt Extravaganza and silent auction fundraiser from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Sirata Beach Resort, 5300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Dogs are welcome and can enjoy special pampering, pet massages, professional photos, a pet psychic and more. The “Putting on the Dog Pageant” encourages pet owners to dress up their dog and compete for prizes.

Proceeds will go toward providing food, shelter and medical care for more than 15,000 homeless and abused animals. To purchase tickets or for information, call Maria at (727) 586-3591, Ext. 163, or go to http://www.SPCATampaBay .org.

Kristen Levine can be reached at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail ; or fax to (727) 934-6451.