Handler Brielle Villarreal

Interview with Professional Handler

Q: Please tell our readers how you got involved in the world of dogs and dog showing.

Before I was born, my parents had two rescue puppies, one of them being a bulldog. Once they had both passed away, my parents started going to dog shows in hopes of finding another dog with better lines and fewer health issues. They eventually found a breeder who was also a handler. I then told my parents I wanted to try showing myself. They connected with people in the sport and began inquiring about when and how I could start showing. At seven years old, we soon discovered that I was too young to be a junior and would have to wait until I turned nine. Until then, I began showing in puppy matches and specialties until I was old enough to compete in juniors for the first time, and it has been a roller coaster ever since.

Q: Who were your mentors from the beginning of your dog journey, and do you currently have the same or any additional mentors?

Specifically, during the time I was starting to train my main show dog, Olive, I owe a lot of thanks to Eric Salas. His methods for building a purely respect- and trust-based relationship with your dog are why Olive and I are able to showcase our teamwork so well in the ring. His structured visualization methods for breaking down different parts of the ring procedure into pieces to make them easier to execute helped me improve my skills at an early age. Not only did they make training Olive more enjoyable, but his techniques also fostered the close bond we share. Without his help, Olive and I would not have evolved to where we are today.

Q: What breed/breeds have you been involved in handling?

I have mostly shown bulldogs throughout my career. The only time I have ever shown other breeds was when my main show dog, Olive, was in heat or had a temporary injury. Other than those times, I would say bulldogs are my specialty.

Q: Do you currently breed, and is this something you see yourself doing in the future?

Because bulldogs require artificial insemination, C-sections, incubation, and tube feeding, and have very high risk factors for both the mother and puppies, I have never been involved in collaborating on litters, let alone breeding myself. Since I am the first person in my family to be involved in the world of dogs and I believe I am too young, I don’t feel comfortable holding that responsibility yet. Once I am older and more educated, I do foresee myself breeding in the future.

Q: What, in your words, is the purpose of dog shows?

I feel that dog shows never have just one meaning. There are many purposes for them. Of course, the most common purpose is to conserve and appreciate purebred breeds. But I also believe that dog shows provide opportunities for breeders and handlers to showcase their hard work with various dogs. I would also say that dog shows serve to educate: educating breeders on how to improve their pedigrees, educating handlers on how to present certain breeds to the standard, and educating spectators on the importance of conserving purebred dogs and appreciating their beauty.

Q: Do you find it difficult to balance personal, school, and dog show life? How do you make time to fit everything in?

As a senior attending a public high school that doesn’t allow independent study, enrolled in AP classes, and involved in various extracurricular activities beyond dog shows, I find it very overwhelming and difficult to balance most of the time. When family members or friends ask me how I manage it all, I honestly don’t know the answer. I suppose I just take it one day at a time and try not to think too far in advance, focusing on crossing one bridge after another and staying on track as much as I can. Although I am very busy, I would rather have a lot to do and a variety of interests than nothing at all. At the end of the day, I am very proud of myself for maintaining the grades and GPA I have, ranking in the top two percent of my graduating class, and remaining successful in dog shows and theatre. I think I have proven to myself that I have the dedication and work ethic to accomplish much more than I realize.

Q: What profession would you like to have as an adult?

The profession I would like to pursue is veterinary sciences. Since dogs have become such an important and core part of my adolescence, becoming a vet would, in a sense, make my inner child proud. I love animals, and knowing I could help them would blend my love for them with my interest in science. I believe becoming a vet is the perfect job for me. After graduating high school, I hope to be accepted into UC Davis, major in animal science, and then transfer to vet school.

Q: Do you prefer handling table dogs or larger dogs?

In the few instances when I have shown breeds other than bulldogs, I definitely enjoyed showing the smaller dogs more. They are easier to stack and maneuver, especially for someone who doesn’t have extensive practice with a wide range of breeds.

Q: Is there a certain coat you prefer to prepare for the ring?

I feel very fortunate to show a breed with a smooth coat. For the most part, they are quick to dry, and I never have to rewash any furnishings or spray their legs or mane before a show. For bulldogs, the focus on grooming is mostly on their face, wrinkles, and markings. It is very important to keep brachycephalic breeds specifically clean, considering all the folds and crevices on their faces. The coat itself is fairly easy to maintain, making it my favorite to groom.

Q: What professional handlers or owner-handlers inspire you?

Some professional handlers who inspire me are Ethan Coye, Olivia Hodgekinson, and the McFadden family. Their skills in grooming, training, and handling are nothing short of an art form. I have never seen people so driven, hardworking, and truly inspirational. The knowledge they have about how every single dog should be presented to their standard amazes me more and more each day. Besides being amazing handlers, they are also wonderful friends. In my spare time, I enjoy rewatching past Westminster videos and analyzing how the winners of each group or Best in Show handle their dogs and make themselves stand out. Ironically, some of my favorite Best in Show videos are of Taffe McFadden showing her Giant Schnauzer and Havanese, Mr. McFadden showing his Kerry Blue Terrier, and Valerie Nunez-Atkinson with her German Shorthairs. Specifically for bulldogs, handlers such as Eduardo Paris, Denis O’Connor, Sandra Martinez, and Jean Heatherington have not only represented our breed admirably but have also supported my journey personally.

Q: If you could be an assistant for any handler, past or present, who would it be and what would you hope to learn from them?

To add on to the previous question, I would love to continue to learn from Ethan Coye, Olivia Hodgekinson, and the McFadden family. Over the past few years they have completely broadened my range of breed understanding as well as grooming abilities. In the future I hope to have at least half as much knowledge as they do for the sport and be able to understand every breed as well as they do.

Q: What have been some of your greatest achievements in the breed ring?

While I haven’t shown extensively in the breed ring, I have achieved a lot in the juniors ring. Over the past nine years of competing in juniors, I have won over one hundred and twenty Best Junior Handler awards, qualified for the Westminster Junior Showmanship competition in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, and made the finals in 2020. Olive and I have been ranked the number one bulldog and non-sporting junior handler for the last three years, as well as the number one junior in California.

Q: What is your favorite show of the year to attend, and why?

My favorite show to attend, though it may be a common answer, is the Westminster Kennel Club. Specifically, when it was held at Madison Square Garden in 2020, the year I made the finals in the junior showmanship competition. When I walked into the arena, there was an electric energy like no other. The lights, the crowd, the announcer’s iconic voice—it was the best moment of my life. I am beyond excited that it is returning to the Garden in 2025.

Q: Is there anything you wish judges understood more when it comes to judging Junior Showmanship?

One thing I wish more judges would consider is educating themselves on the unique traits within certain breed standards. For example, in my breed ring, all bulldogs must face front on the final stack due to the importance of their heads and fronts. When I bring this into the juniors ring, attempting to demonstrate my knowledge of the breed, some judges have discredited me or found it unnecessary. In my view, if a junior is showing a challenging breed and demonstrates an understanding of what that breed was meant to do, it is evidence of a good handler. Overall, awareness and recognition of juniors who show difficult or less flashy breeds, as well as knowledge of breed specifics, are crucial for juniors judges.

Q: Do you have any pastimes outside of the world of dogs?

Along with dog showing, my other passion is acting and musical theatre. I have been heavily involved in my high school’s theatre company and have been enrolled in the Advanced Theatre program for three years. My high school is known for its prestigious drama department, which is why I decided to attend. When I am not traveling to or showing at a dog show, I practically live on the stage. Throughout the school year, I participate in six productions, having had the opportunity to play many lead roles such as Miss Scarlett in Clue on Stage and Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical the Musical this past year. While my hobbies may not be as common as D1 sports, I wouldn’t trade anything for my careers in performing and handling.

Q: What are your own personal future goals in the world of dogs?

I haven’t put much thought into what comes next after I age out of junior handling. Juniors have been my whole world, shaping me as I grew up. I seek to learn more and gain knowledge about different breeds. I want to immerse myself in all aspects of breed standards and keep dogs in my life long after my junior career is over. Once I gain more knowledge and experience, whether that’s in ten or twenty years, I hope to eventually breed one of the greatest bulldogs of all time. I aim to transition from breaking boundaries in the juniors ring to breaking boundaries in the breed ring. I can’t wait for the day I win my first Best in Show with a special bulldog that I’ve put my heart and soul into breeding, training, and handling. That would be my dream after retiring from the juniors ring.