Pure Dog Talk

Owner Handler Secrets to Success: Make a Plan and Be Consistent Remy Smith-Lewis, breeder, owner, handler of Portugese Water Dogs, shares the secrets that took him to the top, winning his National Specialty as an owner handler. Remy Smith-Lewis, winning best junior handler. Smith-Lewis said he did not come from a "dog" family. He was awestruck by his breed when the San Francisco Giants began using the dogs to retrieve balls that were hit over the fence. He started as a junior handler, worked for professional handlers Sally George and Bill and Taffe McFadden. He showed his first big winner to multiple Best in Show awards and a national specialty win before turning over the dog's career to the McFadden team to manage. "I was at a place in my career that I really needed to decide what to do and focus on it," said Smith-Lewis, who began his career at Google and now works for a new tech start up in the Bay Area. Remy Smith-Lewis handling his Portugese Water Dog to Best in Show at Del Monte Kennel Club under j