What started out as a love of dogs as a child has turned into a successful career for local dog enthusiast Victoria Masterfield who this year celebrates 40 years of showing dogs.
Victoria will reach the amazing milestone later this year. Her career has taken her all over the world, where she has won many awards since the 1980’s. She also owns the small business, Comb and Collar – Grooming by Victoria in Emu Plains.
“My parents showed dogs since I was young, and I grew up with a love of dogs. I first started showing dogs when I was a teenager. This shows my age, but I have been showing dogs for almost 40 years. I specialise in American Cocker Spaniels and currently own 7 dogs. This includes 4 that live with me and I am in partnership with 3 more with my friends” explained Victoria to the Emu and Leonay Gazette.
With so many highlights over the years, Victoria has won Best in Show awards and she is driven to win a very special one at home.
“Over my 40 years, I have won many Best in Show awards. My most memorable is the Dogs NSW Spring Fair, where it was the first time in history for an American Cocker Spaniel to win the show. My dream is to win Best in Show at Sydney Royal Easter Show” Victoria smiled.
Showing dogs can take months of preparation for the big day. Once it arrives, it is often a long day that can be quite rewarding at the end.
“The day starts early, prepping the dogs for the show. Washing, blow-drying, and scissoring in the morning before heading to the show early to get a good spot ringside and near my friends. This is followed by a quick blow-dry and scissoring before heading into the ring. If all goes well, I will show the dog 3 times. This is against it’s breed, then against other breeds, then fingers crossed the judge likes the dog and I win Best in Show” she said.
With restrictions being lifted and the world slowly returning to normal since the coronavirus pandemic, Victoria is looking forward to returning to the ring.
“I feel honoured and privileged to show dogs. I love travelling to places I have never seen, meeting new people, catching up with friends, being with my dogs and hopefully winning prizes” she ended.