Having sat either at ringside or in the ring as a steward for nearly ten years, I've reached the conclusion that most owner-exhibitors (including, most resoundingly, myself) cannot handle their dogs properly. They go around the ring too fast, they string up their dogs so the front feet are off the ground, they can't go in a straight line on the down-and-back, they bounce up and down as they gait their dogs. They bait their dogs at inappropriate times. Some owners can't show dogs due to physical disability, age, or, most frequently, extreme obesity. Campaigning the top dogs (orders of magnitude above where our Lacey is) also requires extensive travel, which few can spare.
That's where the professional handler comes in. A professional handler, as the name implies, handles dogs for money. They started in the early part of the 20th century with the big kennels of the rich. The kennel man also took select dogs to shows and presented them. None of these kennels are left, but some of the legacy remains. Other handlers got into the game simply out of a love of dogs that started in their youth.
A lot of professional handling still works on an apprentice system. A young man or woman, usually still in their teens, goes to work for a professional handler to learn the ropes. They may already have several years of experience in Junior Showmanship, but they still start off at the bottom: lugging equipment, cleaning up after the dogs, and giving baths. They have to learn how to groom a dog properly. Many breeds - especially Poodles, Bichon Frises, and most terriers - require complex and exacting grooming. Then there's learning how to show a dog to present the best possible picture for the judge. Apprentices will only get to show the class dogs the professional handler doesn't have time to show. Only after acquiring years of experience does the apprentice start out on their own. For example, Adam Wilkerson is now a professional handler; he learned his craft from Scott Sommer, who in turn was once Michael Kemp's assistant.
The cost of a professional handler can vary, but on average they charge $50-60 for taking a dog into the breed ring, increasing for showing in the group, placing in a group, and winning Best in Show. If the dog stays in the handler's kennel while he's showing it, there are additional charges for boarding and transportation.
A handler usually has several dogs that he shows at any one show. These may include class dogs and, usually, specials. This can put a handler on a tight schedule if two of the dogs are to be shown simultaneously. One might be given to an assistant to show, but a sensible handler will make it clear to his clients what the hierarchy is and which dogs get priority for the handler to take them in the ring.
Of course, the ideal situation for a handler is to have a single top special to show. There are very wealthy people willing to back a single dog to a Number 1 ranking and the fees can be quite lucrative. Moe Miyagawa, now handling Repo Man, the Doberman Pinscher, actually has a Lear jet at his disposal to get him to as many shows as possible.
For the most part, though, it's a hard-knock life, leavened by a love of dogs. For every Jimmy Moses, Andy Linton, or Peter Green there are a dozen handlers just scraping by, accepting dogs at ringside and having to harass clients to pay their bills. Many keep handling long after they should retire because they've never been able to save any money. There's the stress of traveling, staying in podunk towns, and showing at county fairgrounds. Some retire to go into judging and indeed many of the best all-round judges - Anne Rogers Clark, Robert and Jane Forsyth, Ric Chashoudian - are ex-handlers.
The quality of handlers can vary, of course. There are well-known handlers with whom we would never entrust our dogs. On the whole, I've found most of them courteous (if somewhat harried) and frequently better sports that many owner-handlers. The AKC has a certification program for professional handlers, a sort of Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for their professionalism and care of their dogs, both at shows and at home. There is also a Professional Handlers Association performing much the same function.
There's no doubt that the good handlers are good. My only time in the Hound Group ring I had our Rowdy (Ch. Soyara's Sounds of Silence CGC; my lovely bride was at the BCOA National Specialty that week). I was behind Vicki Seiler with her Afghan. Seeing up close how she worked with her dog was a lesson in handling. Apart from the immaculate presentation during examination, even when other dogs were being examined she had her dog in a perfect position were the judge to glance that way. She always worked with her dog, keeping its attention (not easy to do with Afghans) and making sure it was happy and on its toes. The Afghan took a placement. The judge never took a second look at Rowdy.