About Kate

Kate Batzner-Northern's love for dogs and dog showing began at an early age. Growing up in a home where top-ranked Yorkies were bred and shown, Kate quickly began going to shows and found a knack for showing dogs. Having both shown in 4-H and AKC shows, Kate began moving up the ranks of the Junior Handlers. During her Juniors career, Kate made it to the Finals at Westminster, was invited to compete at the Pedigree Junior Invitational, and was consistently ranked near the top of the Junior Rankings.

From her start in Juniors through the present, Kate has worked for numerous top handlers each specializing in a different group. This experience has enabled Kate to show, groom and assist on many Westminster Best Of Breed and Group Winners, AKC Best In Show winners, and Number One ranked dogs in numerous groups.

In 2007, Kate had the pleasure of showing one the the top ranked 15-in Beagle Bitches, Multiple Group Winning CH WINDTALKER'S ODE TO CHARDON (aka Audi), and is currently showing one of the top ranked smooth Saint Bernards in the country, Group Placing, CH. MAMMOTH STS HARVARD HOUSE (aka Harvey), and a Top 20 Golden Retriever Special, Multiple Group Winning, Multiple BISS, CH. JETOCA'S WINWARD PASSAGE, SDHF (aka Gino). Each of these specials qualified for the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in 2007.

Kate's philosophy both inside and out of the show ring is to have fun with your dog. A dog that enjoys being in the ring will show better and give you more than you could have imagined possible. The key is to find that certain something which gets your dog motivated. Kate will devote the time needed to find that special something in order to bring the most out of your dog. To Kate, these dogs are more than just show dogs, first and foremost, they are your pets, your couch dogs, your friends.

Testimonials:

Julie Caruthers, Breeder/Owner of CH. JETOCA'S WINWARD PASSAGE, SDHF (aka Gino - Breed: Golden Retriever)
"Gino and Kate make a terrific team! I looked at a lot of handlers before picking Kate. Her personal attention to my dogs and bond she formed with Gino set her apart from the rest. Gino just adores Kate!"

Doylene "Mimi" Roberts, Breeder/Owner of CH. MAMMOTH STS HARVARD HOUSE (aka Harvey - Breed: Saint Bernard)
"Kate is a joy to watch in the ring. Fluid, without looking rushed…Professional, without looking stiff…Elegant, without looking fake. Her teamwork with Harvey is amazing, and there is no one he loves to be with more than his Kate. They just connect!"

An email sent to Harvey's Owner after the 2007 Saint Bernard National
"I have been meaning to write you since that National, but it always slips my mind. I wanted you to know I was very impressed with your handler. I had the opportunity to speak with her at the Top Twenty and she was great. Very professional, well dressed, excellent rapport with your dog."

Sheila Myers, owner of CH. PARADISE DIXON'S BEACH (aka Sammie - Breed: Flat Coated Retriever)
"I chose Kate to handle my flat-coated retriever because I knew she would treat him first and foremost as a pet and member of the family. That was the most important thing to me. As a result, Sammie fell in love with her and shows beautifully for her. He needed his majors to finish, and it only took Kate TWO weekends to do it. My breeder now sends some of her dogs with Kate."

Christine Kazienko, owner of CH BEARFOOT'S DIABELSKI CHIPPER (aka Princess Chippy - Breed: Am Staff)
"Kate was very professional in her job as a handler with Chipper. She always took the time to work with her, groom her and make her comfortable before they needed to enter the ring. She also knew Chipper well enough to know Chipper's mindset and what would work best for her in the ring. Chippy said don't forget to mention she had a slumber party with Kate and that Kate is very pretty."

Nancy Pederson, owner of Westwood's High Speed Pursuit RN (aka Chase - Breed: Golden Retriever)
"Kate has a quiet elegant way of working with the dogs that brings out the best in them."