Junior Brittany Stout took a deep breath as she filled her lungs with excitement and anticipation. She walked a steady pace as she showed off her Vizsla (a Hungarian hunting dog), Carter, at a local Vizsla junior handling competition in late March. All of the hours and hard work she had put into training had boiled down to this exact moment. She was more than confident that Carter would be her ticket to the top of the charts, but the results she later received were far from what was expected. She finished her show and waited with more anxiety than ever before. Stout held her breath as the final results were announced. She, as well as the entire crowed, was shocked as Carter was dubbed with the title of number one Vizsla in the nation. Applause rained throughout the arena and Stout was filled with gratitude and awe. Her simple hobby of dog showing had grown into something so special and enjoyable that she actually looks forward to working for it. Most teens immerse themselves in after school activities and parties, while Stout dedicates most of her time caring and preparing her seven dogs for competition. This whole ordeal started at the young age of 11. Stout spent years helping her mother set up vending booths at local dog shows. She would watch the junior league show there dogs and found that she had a true passion for showing dogs. She picked and bought the perfect pooch and joined in on the dog showing fun. “I used to always watch kids my age show dogs and just wish that I could be a part of a sport as fun as this,” Stout said, “then, I joined and I just love doing shows and meeting new people.” Without any doubts in her mind, Stout continued to set goals and meet them each and every show she competed in. Throughout her entire career she has already been invited to the Eukanuba show four times, the Westminster three times and has won the national Vizsla handler award twice. These accomplishments aren’t just handed to her; she spends every spare minute preparing her dogs for show. From washing to training, Stout has done it all and without complaints. “For each show I have to prepare our motor home for the dogs as well as my mom and I,” Stout said, “we also have to make sure that all the technicalities with the dogs is taken care.”
Despite all the fun Stout has during her shows, she does face daily struggles that have set her back. The tough economic times are taking their toll on practically everyone, but it’s hard to give up something you love so much. Dog showing is something that is special and close to Stout’s heart, it’s something that she is definitely not about to give up. “Right now we pay for everything out of pocket because we currently don’t have any sponsors to help us out,” Stout said. “To help out with the finances involved, next year I am going to apply for club scholarships and I am working a job at a local restaurant for some extra money.” Despite the fact that Stout only shows for fun, she does plan on spending the rest of her life in animal studies. The simple love of dog showing has led her to a life-long commitment to continue helping animals. “I would love to start my own breeding program after college and continue dog showing just for fun,” Stout said. This hard working committed CCHS junior is an example to all. She involves herself in things she loves and does everything she can to accomplish her goals. She never lets fear get in the way or losing get her down, she just looks at each show as another fun way to spend her day.