Meet the champion dog handler – who’s allergic to dogs

Charly Houtos​ is off to England subsequent 12 months to symbolize New Zealand because the nation’s finest junior canine handler – and one factor she will not be forgetting to pack is her antihistamines.

The 18-year-old has taken the highest spot on the Junior Canine Handler nationals, qualifying to compete on the worldwide stage at Crufts in opposition to 39 different nations in Birmingham.

It’s an unlikely love affair for Houtos and the canines she reveals, as a result of she’s considerably allergic to them.

“I simply should be in the identical room as canines and my eyes go puffy.

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“I can’t cease sneezing, I simply itch in every single place, and I will should go house and put a chilly flannel on my face, Nonetheless to at the present time it is the very same,” she mentioned.

Houtos, who lives in Shirley, Christchurch, describes herself as a late bloomer to the breeding present world, solely beginning unintentionally when she was 11 after her nana popped a hip while within the ring throughout a present.

Houtos jumped in and completed the routine – and picked up a championship title.

“The others have been exhibiting since they began strolling, however I solely got here into it six years in the past,” Houtos mentioned.

“I used to be the contemporary one, I used to be older, however everybody simply appreciated my dealing with and the way I’ve a bond with the canines earlier than the present.”

Rising up, Houtos was jealous of her older brother Blake, who dealt with canines for years earlier than she set foot inside a present ring, and mentioned she would at all times go house “all flared up” after watching her brother’s reveals.

Houtos takes a robust liquid antihistamine in addition to a pill to attempt to get a “double dose” of aid from her allergy symptoms so she will carry out.

“I’ve had pores and skin prick testing my entire life and I nonetheless come up in massive lumps that I’m allergic to canines, fur, dander, grass and every thing – I’m simply the issue baby,” she mentioned.

“I may take an entire suitcase simply of my medical stuff at this level.”

Regardless of her discomfort, Houtos mentioned the bond she shares together with her canines trumps any allergic response, and she will by no means resist when her canines leap for a cuddle, she simply “has to let it occur”.

Houtos primarily reveals cavaliers, rottweilers, shibas and samoyeds, however Tobi the shiba inu, who she’s been exhibiting and dealing with for greater than three years, might have her unofficial favorite title.

“He’s nice and he goes simply in every single place with me,” Houtos mentioned.

Competing at Crufts is a pinnacle occasion, described as the most important present of its variety on the planet.

The occasion kicks off in March 2023 that includes entries from 40 nations.

Contributors don’t present their very own canines however as an alternative decide a breed and are allotted a canine – Houtos has chosen to indicate a shiba inu, a breed of Japanese searching canine.

Houtos mentioned she was “actually nervous” to carry out in opposition to a bunch of entries 4 instances greater than she’s used to. The nationwide Junior Canine Handler closing in October that she received featured 10 finalists.

Judges’ standards vary from the look and breed of the canine, to the way in which the handlers deal with thm – their bond, communication, and the way they hear and reply to the handler.

The Houtos household has arrange a Givealittle web page to assist fund her journey to Crufts.