By Kristin Holtz

Lynda Otten laughs when she recalls her high school career counselor’s advice after announcing her career goal to show dogs.
“You’ll never make a living,” the counselor told her.

Fifty years after first stepping into the show ring, Otten, 60, continues to parade her beloved dogs at shows around the United States.

Schnauzers, cocker spaniels, terriers, greyhounds, poodles — some of the top dogs in the country will be in Shakopee this weekend at the 75th annual Minneapolis Kennel Club dog show at Canterbury Park. Nearly 1,200 dogs of all sizes and shapes will compete for the Best of Show title.

While there are several varieties of showing — such as obedience or agility — the Minneapolis Kennel Club’s show is about conformation.
Conformation is intended to evaluate breeding stock. Judges assess dogs based on which best fits the ideal appearance and structure, or “official standard,” of the breed. It also includes temperament and movement.

“You’re raising them not only for temperament and conformation, but you want that dog to have character plus confidence and be a good companion dog, too,” Otten of Shakopee said.

A DOG’S LIFE

Otten grew up around dogs. Her parents, Harry and Lesley Maudsley, owned Tel-Mo Kennels in Burnsville for more than 20 years. Her mother also showed dogs, primarily miniature schnauzers.

At age 9, Otten began showing her own dog — a miniature poodle named Peggy — at 4-H obedience competitions and in local contests. However, poodles were not really Otten’s passion, and after seeing an English setter at a dog obedience class, she knew she wanted one.

Saving up her money, Otten purchased an English setter from a New
York kennel at age 12. She raised English setters into her 20s until she began working more as a professional handler.

In the late 1970s, Otten’s parents sold the kennel. Otten took over her mother’s miniature schnauzers because she couldn’t bear to see the breed line disappear.

“My mom worked very hard and had built a name for her,” she explained.

Otten’s schnauzers have won multiple Best in Show and Best in Breed awards. In 1981, she had the No. 2 miniature schnauzer in the country. Overall, she’s had more than 20 homebred champions.

Otten has bred dozens of miniature schnauzers over the years. At one time, she had 15 schnauzers; however, many of the dogs she bred became pets.

However, her mother’s champion blood line continues today. Otten has three miniature schnauzers, two of which are retired champions. A daughter has three miniature schnauzers, too.

SHOW DAY

The Minneapolis Kennel Club is one of the oldest kennel clubs in Minnesota.

Founded in 1933, the club offers classes, educational seminars and obedience trials. Its mission is to further the advancement of purebred dogs, advance the interests of dog shows and obedience trials and encourage sportsmanship. One of its biggest events of the year is the dog show at Canterbury Park.

Show Chairman Ralph Hogancamp of Woodbury said show day can bring in dogs and handlers from around the country. Dog owners arrive early with crates of grooming supplies to get their pooches in top condition.

“Even though they’d been groomed the night before, they have to be fluffed and puffed before the competition,” Otten said.

Dog shows are a process of elimination. Show dogs must be at least 6 months old and AKC registered. There are seven classes – puppy dog, 12- to 18-months, amateur-owner-handler, bred by exhibitor, American bred, novice and open.

Each dog has two minutes with a judge, who watches the animal gait, checks its bite, feels the bone structure and observes overall personality.

In each class, the judge ranks the dogs from first to fourth. The firsts return to the ring where the judge selects Best of Winners.
The Best of Winners — males and females from each of the seven classes — advance to the next level of competition. A judge examines the animals again to choose a Best of Breed.

The Best of Breeds compete against others in seven groups: sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting and herding. The top dog from each group advances to the Best of Show competition where only one is chosen as the top dog.

While it’s the competition that most dog handlers love, dog shows are not typically rowdy events, said Hogancamp, who raises and shows Bedlington terriers.

“It’s polite. We’re a pretty cordial group,” he said.

In addition to the show, spectators at this weekend’s competition can also browse vendor booths and learn more about particular breeds. A “Meet the Breeds” event will give people considering a family pet an opportunity to discuss a particular breed’s traits with owners and breeders.

“This is specifically for [people] to get up there and really see what the dogs are about and talk to people about various breeds,” Hogancamp said.

The show will also honor two longtime club members — John Sheehan and Ruth Foster.

A GOOD COMPANION

Otten will not be showing at this weekend’s competition, instead volunteering as a ring steward. Her show dog, Sparkle, is not ready for competition because it takes several months to prepare a schnauzer’s coat for show.

Schnauzers’ coats must be hand-stripped, which takes about a month to complete, Otten said. It then takes another 12 weeks for the coat to grow into show quality. It only stays in show quality for three months. Therefore, Otten hopes to show Sparkle at several weekend competitions in June and July.

Otten, who retired from showing professionally nine years ago, has made a life out of showing, breeding and grooming dogs. As a single parent, she loaded up her daughters and dogs in the motor home every weekend.

“The kids saw a lot of the country that way,” she said.

It’s no wonder Otten’s daughters also show and groom dogs. Her oldest daughter, Tracy Goetz of Shakopee, works full time at the grooming shop Otten has owned since 1976, and younger daughter, Kristi Lucast of Prior Lake, also works one day a week.

With two little granddaughters showing a similar interest in man’s best friend, Otten hopes to see a fourth-generation carryon the family tradition. Because, she said, there’s nothing like a good dog.
“They unconditionally love you,” Otten said. “I just love dogs. They are great companions.”

Kristin Holtz can be reached at 952-345-6678 or kholtz@swpub.com.

If you go…
What: The 75th annual Minneapolis Kennel Club dog show
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Canterbury Park, 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee
Admission: $8 adults, free for kids 12 and under and seniors 62 and older. Parking is free.