
Ginny Kincer & Titch
Breed: Golden Retriever
How long have you been working with Titch?
GK: Titch was bred and is owned by my dear friend and client, Elaine Kandzari. I’ve been working with him since he was a puppy.
How did you first get involved with training dogs for competitions?
GK: My grandparents started breeding and showing dogs in 1960 with basset hounds. This has always been a family hobby, and we enjoyed going to dog shows on the weekends together. As I grew up, my mom carried on the tradition, and so have my sister and I. My first dog show was at three years old. I was born into it and still have a great passion for it.

Photo Courtesy of Ginny Kincer
What titles have you won with Titch?
GK: I primarily compete in AKC-licensed events. Titch has won best in show from Sporting Group, multiple specialty dog shows, Show Dog Hall of Fame, Canine Good Citizen, and is a top 10 golden retriever for the all-breed ranking system, a top 20 golden retriever for the breed ranking system, and an AKC Grand Champion. Titch also just competed at the Golden Retriever Club of America national specialty in Ocala, Florida. He was honored with a judge’s award of merit. This is a huge honor considering, out of 300-plus champion golden retrievers competing in his class, only 24 received honors. There were a total of over 2,000 golden retrievers competing at this event.
Do you show other dogs besides Titch?
GK: Yes, it is a real honor to work with so many quality dogs. I am a very scheduled and meticulous person, so every dog has its training time, exercise time, and grooming time. There aren’t too many minutes in the day that aren’t scheduled for work. But when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.
What is one of your favorite memories from competition?
GK: There are so many fond memories that it’s hard to narrow it down to one. Each dog that I work with has an amazing talent that shines when we work together. There have been milestones in my professional career that stand out. For instance, with Titch, he finished his AKC championship at 11 months old. We let him grow up for two-and-a-half years. Then, the first day he was out as a champion, he won best in show. It was an incredible experience and very unexpected, as it usually takes months or years for a dog to win such an honor.