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WATERLOO -- Dog owners long have passed their dogs off to experienced, professional handlers to flaunt their canines for judges at competitions. But a youth movement has gained momentum in the world of dog handling.

Kaitlyn Carlson, a 16-year old from Waverly, is a shining example of how the American Kennel Club's (AKC) junior circuit has provided a platform for youngsters to develop their passion for dog handling.

Carlson is handling the nation's No. 6-rated Canaan dog named Patriot for Cheryl Hennings at the 2007 Waterloo Kennel Club Dog Show at the Cattle Congress in Waterloo.

Hennings and Carlson met at a county fair, and their relationship helped Carlson to realize her calling.

"It started at the Bremer County Fair when I was showing my own dog," said Carlson. "Then Cheryl invited me to one of her shows, and I decided to seize the opportunity. I've been going with her ever since and just having a great time."

Carlson has shown Canaan dogs for Hennings as far away as St. Paul, Des Moines and DeWitt, and the experience has made her want to pursue a career in the grooming, training and breeding of canines. Although she competes mostly in the AKC's Junior Organization, she has even helped Patriot to become a champion.

Hennings said that Carlson put the last points on Patriot to make the dog a champion.

According to the AKC's Web site, juniors have participated since the 1920's, but the organization did not officially organize the junior competition until 1971. In 1999 the AKC expanded the junior competition to include performance events, which only added to its popularity.

In fact, the AKC even offers $100,000 in scholarships each year.

Hennings, an engineer from Denver, also owns the No. 1-ranked Canaan dog in the nation named Jewel. It was just one of several examples of the quality of the competition at this year's Waterloo Kennel Club show.

"We get competitors from all over the state of Iowa and all over the United States," said Merle Shea, vice president of the Waterloo Kennel Club. The event ran both Saturday and Sunday, with over 800 dogs competing. Cedar Falls resident Lori McNamee entered her 10-month old Cardigan Welsh Corgi named Sunny.

McNamee, a real estate agent for Re/Max, usually has to work on the weekends, making it difficult for her to travel to competitions. She normally has a handler from Des Moines take Sunny to competitions that are far away, but the nearby Waterloo Kennel Club's event offers her the rare opportunity to watch Sunny compete firsthand.

"Because I'm a (real estate agent), I work a lot of weekends and it's hard for me to just take off," said McNamee. "There's just too many shows for me to get to them very often." This year's show was just the second year that the Waterloo Kennel Club hosted its show in the Waterloo area after several years on the road. And the 2007 show was well received by the competitors. "I'm really glad that it's back," said McNamee. "This is a really good facility."

Contact Drew Andersen at (319) 291-1418 or drew.andersen@wcfcourier.com.