Junior Handler Awards

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club Of America would like to thank all GSMD Juniors for all the hard work and dedication that you put into working with our wonderful breed.  The primary goal of the program is to promote and encourage juniors to participate in the sport of American Kennel Club purebred dog events with GSMD, as well as to become active in the GSMDCA. Each year the award will be dedicated by a club member who is a loyal advocate to the breed.

Questions? Contact Mary Jo Rasmussen - mjrasmus@gmail.com

GSMDCA Exemplary Junior Award: This award may be awarded annually to a junior through an application process organized and managed by a Board designated committee.  The selection will be made by the Junior Handler Award Committee with final approval by the Board of Directors.  The Award will be presented at the National Specialty and include an award of $500 to the junior selected. If no applications are received, or the committee deems there are no qualified applications, the award will not be given in that year. Initiated at the 2006 Snowmass, Colorado National Specialty.

Eligibility requirements:

1. Applicants must be between the ages of 9 and 19.
2. Applicants must either be an individual member or part of a household membership of the GSMDCA or said Junior’s GSMD owner must be a member.
3. Applicants must submit an official application form with all required pieces no later than August 1 of the award year. The most current application form is available on the GSMDCA website.
4. Applicants may be in the top 10 junior handler rankings for GSMD at the time the application is submitted or finished the previous year in the top 10
5. Applications will include the following:
   • Copy of the Junior’s official school transcripts from the most current 2 school semesters showing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
   • Evidence, in a manner which can be confirmed with AKC records, of their interest and participation in showing GSMD by competing in a combination of Junior Showmanship and dog show breed or performance competitions.
   • Include information on additional activities with a GSMD, e.g., regional club, community service, therapy, rescue, education, etc. This information will be considered but is not a requirement to qualify for the award.
   • 300–400-word essay describing their experience with, and interest in GSMD.

All personal information included on this application will remain confidential except that the name of the Junior winning the award and a brief biography will be included with the announcement of the award. Scholarship will be awarded at the GSMDCA National Specialty.

Junior Handler Awards Chair shall with a committee representing all regions of the country, but not including a parent/caregiver of a currently active junior, oversee the process of selecting and awarding the Junior Handler awards each year. The Chair and committee a. shall maintain all application forms as approved by the Board b. assure timely communication of the award process and deadlines, c. review and put forth a recommendation for awardees to the Board of Directors for approval each year. d. Organize and implement fundraising among GSMDCA members and regional clubs as needed to maintain the funds necessary to support the awards

GSMDCA National Specialty Award  Recognizes and supports our GSMD Junior Handlers achievements in the Junior Showmanship ring at the National Specialty. The GSMDCA National Specialty Award will be given to the Best Junior in the GSMDCA National Specialty junior competition. The Award will be a $100 gift card of the NS Host Committee’s choosing. Eligibility: 1. The handler must be between the ages of 9 and 19. 2. Must be correctly entered and compete in the Juniors’ classes at a GSMDCA National Specialty. Initiated at the 2024 Vergennes, Vermont National Specialty.