A good article, very interesting how we are so similar here.
Being a Owner Handler and our Kennel Club Secretary, I see that we are having the same struggles over here in Australia. We also have many professional handlers and also have some shows that have turned into four-five day shows at the same event centralizing many small rural shows together at the big cities. There has been talk that we should "sell" our four Rural shows to one of those Events. They say we will pull larger numbers and make more money. But I am determined to keep our shows in our Rural area.
I have also been told I would get my dogs a quicker Championship if I used Handlers. But for us it is an experience and just fun. And we did get Lukey his Championship as Beginner Handlers, not quite any BIS, but we did get some BIG's whilst getting there
