Page 62 - Aussie Magazine - 2023 Issue 2

Interview

Dear Mel, thank you for taking the
time to provide us with a interview Name: Melanie Raymond,
and answering our questions. Dialynne beagles & aussies

You are “3rd Generation” of Country: United Kingdom
breeders in your family. Your grand Website: www.dialynne.uk
mom Marion and your mother

Dianna did an amazing job in
breeding beagles, and your kennel

is worldwide famous. When have
you decided to be a breeder and
handler too?

Interview with a Handler
Melanie

Raymond Text written & photographs provided by: Melanie Raymond, Dialynne

I didn’t grow up wanting to be a handler, in fact, world and see as much of it as I could, which I have
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but, having managed to do. Little did I know then the dreams
worked all through school at my parent’s kennels, would come to fruition through the world of dogs.
I had decided that I wanted to do something
different. My first job was as an apprentice at a When I think of handlers, I think of Megan Hof,
barber’s, very different to what I had been used Jamie Clutes, Jessica Plourde and AJ Travares
to doing. However, on my journey’s to and from who handle all breeds including some of the
work, I remember overhearing conversations about very best Australian Shepherds I’ve seen in the
what people had done at the weekend, or where time I’ve been in the breed. We also have some
they were going for their next holidays and it all great young handlers in the UK and Europe
sounded very predictable and boring. That was not campaigning some lovely Australians, so I
going to be the life for me. I was going to travel the think the breed has a bright future!

62 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 2/2023