My advise is to go to a bunch of all breed shows. You will see the handlers, they are running around in and out of the ring. They will be dressed well, many having dogs handed off to them by Jr. handlers. Many will win a lot, but they will also lose. Are they good sports?
See who does a nice job, take notes. Then walk back to the set up areas (motor homes). This will tell you a the most. there will be set ups that are immaculate, no dogs left out unattended or on grooming tables, clean and tidy. Take note. Then you will see a set ups with 15 x pens and dogs galore. Maybe not so clean. Take note. Then see which handlers go with which set up. You will learn alot about which handlers will have time to focus on your dog and will keep him/her safe and clean.
Then after all that homework, talk to the handlers that meet your needs and if you can, talk to the owners of the dogs he/she handles.
I think after you do that, you'll find yourself a handler you can be comfortable with.
There are many great handlers (mentioned above), but there are a lot of great handlers who are not so well known who do a really nice job as well.
I disagree with the poster above.
Go to the shows, watch the handler in and OUT of the ring. Professionalism is very important for a handler.
There are two types of handlers out there, one that just cares about the $$$ and helping pay and offset their own expenses, the other that believes in the dogs they show. This is a very big difference.
