Meet the Owner Handler – Adrianne Montgomery
I live in the El Paso, Texas, area with my four Borzoi—Pierce, Sumi, Vasya, and Zayn. I compete in Conformation, Lure Coursing, Rally, and Trick Dog, and I enjoy training and trying new things with my hounds. I am currently specialing my first show dog, Pierce, and having an absolute blast!
1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?
Adrianne Montgomery: Funny enough, I actually discovered the sport of purebred dogs through a computer game! When I was 14 and living overseas, I started playing a game with virtual dogs and found that players had created an online kennel club based off of real-life clubs. Several members of the online club exhibited dogs at AKC (American Kennel Club) shows, and I was fascinated; I knew that showing dogs was what I wanted to do with my life. It took me 14 more years to get my first show dog, but he has absolutely been worth the wait!
I’ve always been drawn to sighthounds but had my eye on a totally different breed. I was at the Rio Grande Kennel Club shows one year as a spectator and they had Borzoi as part of their Meet the Breeds event. I went up to meet the Borzoi and he leaned up against me and looked into my eyes with the most intuitive, intelligent, gentle look I’ve ever seen in a dog, and I knew I had found my breed. Three years later, I brought home my first Borzoi, Pierce.
2. How many years in dogs? In your breed?
Adrianne Montgomery: I’ve had pet dogs all my life and I trained dogs for a few years after college. I’ve been involved in showing and competing with my Borzoi for six years.
3. Do you attend show handling classes? Have you attended in-person handling seminars?…