About Caroline
Some people inherit a family business. Others inherit a way of life.
For Caroline Clegg, the world of purebred dogs has always been home.
Born into one of the sport’s respected handling families, Caroline grew up surrounded by grooming tables, show rings, and weekends on the road. Her parents enjoyed successful careers as professional all-breed handlers, yet they never expected her to follow in their footsteps. Instead, they allowed her passion to develop naturally – and it did. At just four years old, Caroline stepped into the ring with her father’s Golden Retriever, and by the age of nine, after winning Best Junior Handler at her hometown show in Cincinnati, she knew exactly where she belonged.
Determined to master her craft, Caroline spent years learning from some of the sport’s most accomplished professionals, including Amy Booth, Clint Livingston, Nina Fetter, Angela Lloyd, Wally Sommerfelt, Peter Gaeta, and Barbara Alderman. Their mentorship helped shape a handling style that is subtle, intentional, and always centered on bringing out the very best in each individual dog.
Her career has been marked by remarkable achievements, including sweeping all three Best of Breed competitions and earning a Group Third at the World Dog Show in Croatia with her Kuvasz, Cudar; multiple Group placements at Westminster and the AKC National Championship; Best of Opposite Sex at the Golden Retriever National Specialty; multiple Top Working Dog rankings; Best in Show at Louisville; and the honor of winning the final Best in Show awarded by legendary judge Houston Clark. She has also enjoyed one of the sport’s greatest accomplishments—winning multiple Best in Shows with dogs she personally bred.
No dog has influenced Caroline’s journey more than Mo’Ne, the record-breaking Kuvasz female who became the top-winning Kuvasz bitch of all time. Together they earned 15 Best in Shows, more than 25 Reserve Best in Shows, four National Specialty victories, and multiple placements at Westminster and the AKC National Championship. Caroline often says that while Mo’Ne transformed her career, she also changed her life.
Outside the ring, Caroline is pursuing a degree in Business Entrepreneurship, believing that today’s successful professionals must combine exceptional handling with strong business knowledge. Guided by her personal motto, “Don’t get bitter, get better,” she approaches every challenge with optimism, humility, and an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning.
Always impeccably presented, Caroline brings effortless elegance to every show she attends. Her refined style, professionalism, and confidence make her a natural ambassador for Handler Chic. She represents a new generation of handlers who prove that excellence extends beyond the dog – embracing presentation, integrity, and timeless sophistication while never losing sight of what matters most.
For Caroline Clegg, success has never been defined solely by ribbons or rankings. It is measured by the dogs she develops, the relationships she builds, and the legacy she continues to shape – one built on passion, purpose, and the belief that, above all else, it’s always about the dogs.