Pro Talks: with Elite Field Master, Kacie Davis Jordan
What can turn an interest into a pursuit and in turn, a dream career? For Kacie Davis Jordan, family fueled her passion for breeding and training champion dogs. Kacie has been working with dogs since she could walk! Her first dog, Bailey, enhanced for love for the Blue Tick breed and the rest, history. Sportsman's Pride Field Master Kacie Davis Jordan has won countless awards for her incredible work with champions all over the country.
How do you describe what you do? What is your title?
I am professional dog handler, that is what I do as my job. And I am a Breeder of Merit with Evenstar Westridge Blue Tick Coon hounds. A breeder of merit means you have bred many champions.
Who was your first dog? (Name, description)
Her name was Bailey. I got her from Kimberly Martin, which kicked off my time with Evenstar Westridge. Kimberly was the original Evenstar. I got Bailey and the first time I entered the ring with her, she won best puppy in match. She was such a wonderful dog for family and had an overall wonderful personality with her big, long floppy ears. Her ticking made me fall in love with the Blue Tick breed. Right now, I have twenty dogs.
How did you get your start working with dogs?
Family. My great grandfather hunted beagles and jumped dogs. That gave my mother the love for dogs. I learned from my mom who was a vet technician. She worked as a vet tech and worked as a groomer for 40 years. She ran her own grooming shop. So, mom and sister, family is the reason I do what I do.
Other than Blue Tick Coonhounds, what breeds of dogs do you work with?
As a breeder, Blue Ticks are my specialty. I can handle anything that is an AKC registered dog. I work with Wirehaired Vizsla, Havanese, Chihuahuas, and anything that anybody wants me to show.
Tell me about how you secure the #1 title and keep it current?
I keep going to shows. I have a show every other week to secure my spot. I am out promoting the breed and to show that I am the one out there getting them seen. And we win!
How many dogs do you train a year?
There is no limit. If you want me to show your dog, I will show it.
How many events do you attend yearly?
I go to about 100 to 150 shows per year, and that’s days. About each month, I am usually at a show at least two times a weekend. And those can be anywhere from 2 to 5-day shows. I am only off during Christmas break from the second or third week in December to around the first weekend after the new year.
Are the shows local or do you travel a lot?
I travel a lot. Some of the further shows we go to are New York, where the Westminster Dog Show is held. And then down to Orlando, for the Royal Canin National. I go to Chicago, and I goall the way out to Las Vegas for the Havanese Nationals.
What is your biggest accomplishment with your dogs?
Definitely getting the Group 2 at Westminster in 2021 with Big John, and I was also pregnant with my son. It was a huge year! Not only did my ‘bred by’ dog get the biggest win of my career, but my son was also with me too.
Who is your biggest inspiration and where do you find support when you need it?
Probably my family. My mother and father have supported me ever since I was 6 years old and started this journey of being a breeder and handler. And of course, my husband and sister.
What is the biggest challenge in your field?
Biggest challenge is all the traveling you do. We are on the road a lot. You and the dogs are ready to go home especially after two weeks on the road. We all just want to go home and be us. I travel in a RV covered in Sportsman’s Pride logos! The whole back end is a toy hauler where the dogs have their crates.
How important is canine nutrition to your profession?
It is particularly important. You have to have the skin, the coat, the muscling! All their physical appearance matters and if their food is not giving them a good physical appearance, you are not going to win a show.
What made you switch to Sportsman’s Pride food?
When we started out, we were feeding them a food called "Nunn-better", then we found something better. One of the ladies who worked with my mom suggested calling the local feed guy named Skip. We contacted Skip of Skip’s Feed and he has been delivering us Sportsman’s Pride dog food for 15 or 20 years. My mom fed it to her chihuahuas, and they gained weight. Before that she fed her Italian Greyhounds, and they gained weight, which is very impressive for Greyhounds.
Any advice for someone looking to get a start in your field?
Be prepared to put in the hard work because that is what it takes. You are going to have your good days and bad days. Putting in your hard work will lead you to really good wins and you will be rewarded if you put in the time and work.
