ROWAN & LUKEBagginess

Please share with our readers how you both got involved in the world of pedigreed dogs?

We were both born into it, Luke’s parents bred Afghans and Old English Sheepdogs, Rowan’s parents bred Akitas and Shiba Inu.

What handlers inspired you both in the beginning, and who did you apprentice under?

- Luke: Andy Linton inspired and appreciated under Rick and Dinah Baggenstos.

- Rowan: Andy Linton inspired and apprenticed under Michelle Yeadon for 11 years.

Do your children take part in showing?

Yes, our children have both shown dogs and are involved. Teagan finished her first dog at 3 years old, she has multiple group placements, finished multiple champions, and won multiple best junior showmanship titles. Nolan showed and finished his Japanese Chin Boom and has yet to return to the ring; he says once he is old enough for juniors, he will show Boom in that!

How do you decide who handles what dog and does this change weekly?

We let the dogs decide, evaluating it out in the beginning to see who shows better for who! We do not normally change weekly but the balancing act of handlers and parents has us switching around a lot lately.

As handlers, are you more excited to win at an allbreed show or a breed specialty show?

That is a tough one, while I would say winning best in shows at an all-breed show is extremely exciting there are some specialties wins that are even more exciting.

The purpose of dog showing is to compare the future breeding stock of one breeder against another-- do you feel your clients have this at the forefront of their mind when they place a dog with you to show? Equally, do you believe that this is the mantra of those that show dogs in general?

Yes, I do believe that this is in the forefront of most of our client’s minds, but the clients we have who are not breeders do not have this as their priority. As for the dog community on a whole it think it is most people’s mantra that are true breeders looking to improve with each litter.

Is there a particular breed or group of dogs you prefer to handle, please give reasons for this choice?

- Luke: Miniature Bull Terriers- they love to show themselves and show off, plus the element of surprise for their clown behavior.

- Rowan: Toy dogs- they are small and easy to travel with, adorable and sweet.

You both have had many exiting wins can you please share some of the most memorable ones with our readers?

- Luke: Our homebred mini bull winning his first best in show, winning the first best in show on a German Pinscher, winning the Mini Bull National then onto reserve best in show at Del Val with our own dog.

- Rowan: Winning best in show and the national in the same year on a Japanese Chin I owned, winning multiple best in shows on a sable Japanese Chin, and when Luke and I win best in show and reserve best in show.

Do you work with assistants, and if so, what do you hope to impart on them during their time with you?

Yes, we have assistants and have multiples over the years. I hope we impart on them correct care and love of the dogs. We also strongly encourage schooling (college) for our assistants, so they have a solid foundation in life.

What hander from the past do you wish you could have apprenticed under?

To name a few Anne Rogers Clark, Robert, and Jane Forsyth, Croky Zroom, John Wilcox.

What dog throughout history do you wish you had the opportunity to handle?

- Luke: Afghan Ch. Triumph of Grandeur.

- Rowan: Akita Ch. Tobe’s Return of the Jedai and Japanese Chin Ch. Langcroft’s Black Tie Affair.

Do you have time to breed your own dogs? If yes, what breeds to you raise and if no is this something you wish you had more time for in the future?

We breed Miniature Bull Terriers and Japanese Chin. What is you kennel name and how did you decide on it?

Lotus kennels – Rowan picked it as she grew up on an island like “the land of the lotus.”

What made you fall for the breeds you own and breed?

Mini Bulls are so fun; they are constantly making you laugh and up to no good. Japanese Chin are the most loyal, devoted pets that entertain you with their silliness... they are anti-depressants in dog form!

Are either of you involved in any canine clubs?

We are members of Japanese Chin Club of America, Miniature Bull Terrier Club of America, Mastiff Club of America, PNW Japanese Chin Club, PNW Miniature Bull Terrier Club.

How do you both feel regarding the number of shows held weekly around the country?

Where we live in the PNW I do not feel it is an issue as our shows are all so spaced out, a local show for us could be six plus hours away. We do not have multiple options each weekend within a few hours, our total entries are normally around one thousand dogs.

What are some of your favorite shows to show at in the USA?

Mt. Ogden Kennel Club in Logan, Utah, Richland and

Walla Walla Kennel Club in Kennewick WA, and the Olympic Kennel Club in Enumclaw, WA.

Have either of you have shown outside of the USA?

Rowan was born in Canada and started handling in Canada, Luke traveled to many shows in Canada as an assistant and handler. Rowan went to Japan to show dogs as well.

Would you both like to become judges in the future, if so what breeds/groups would you like to concentrate on?

Yes, we both hope to judge in the future. Luke would like to judge everything; Rowan would like to concentrate on toys and working.

You have the power to change dog showing for the better--in your eyes, what would you both change?

Have the focus on bred by, more bred by groups, bred by awards, focus on the breeders that keep our sport alive.

Do you both have any future goals/achievements in the world of dogs?

I would love for two dogs we bred to win best in show and reserve best in show at the same show handled by us!

What is your favorite way to unwind on days off, do you both have hobbies outside of the dog world?

We love spending time together as a family, any chance we get to be with our kids is our favorite. Our daughter is playing travel team softball so that is a full-time hobby for all of us!

What is your favorite vacation destination?

We love going to Yellowstone National Park every year!

Q: Beverage of choice?

- Luke: coffee, water, and blueberry lemonade vodka.

- Rowan: Tea, whiskey.