Gabriel Rangel
Gabriel Rangel is a professional breeder and handler in Rialto, California. With a focus on terriers, he has been showing dogs for over 30 years, and has won numerous awards, including three Westminster Best in Show Championships.
Q: When did you first know you were meant to spend your life with dogs?
A: Ever since I was a little boy, I was drawn to dogs. My parents wouldn’t let me have one of my own, so I offered to walk all of the neighbor’s dogs instead. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was already performing as a dog handler for the neighborhood!
Q: What’s the best part of working with a dog like King?
A: King is a magnificent dog. It's just like whatever you do, he's just there and he’s beautiful. He also has a great temperament, a charisma and a presence. So, you put all that together, and right away you just notice him. He just stands out.
Q: You’ve now been the handler of three Westminster Best In Show Winners. How does that feel?
A: When we're at Westminster, the top handlers and dogs are there. So, we know we’re against the best, the very best. The world is watching you, basically. So, being there means everything for us. King and I went to around 200 dog shows to get ready for that night. That’s what it took to be prepared for that event. When Peter Green chose King as Best In Show, that was the most wonderful feeling I ever had in my life.
Q: Why do you choose to feed Purina Pro Plan?
A: We’ve been feeding Pro Plan since 1994 when we started showing dogs, because it's the food that has worked for us. It's what most consistently has helped our dogs. We can count on it to provide the coats, the weight, the energy that we need for the show dogs.
Purina was also with us before we even were winning big shows. Before anybody knew our names. They believed in us just like we believe in the food and, they've been a part of our family. The team from Purina has always been there to support us, they've always been there to guide us, to teach us new formulas. If we have any questions, if we have any problems with the dogs, they’ve been there. They've been very loyal to us since before we were anybody in the dog business.
Q: What does it take to be successful in the sport of Conformation?
A: It’s work, but it's your passion, your dedication, your commitment to what you do. And that's what makes you feel so confident and prepared when it’s time to show. It’s all about knowing that you did everything you could do to excel in the ring.
AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Handler of three Westminster Kennel Club Best In Show winners
- Handler of three National Dog Show Best In Show winners: Sadie, Eira, and Sky
- Handler of Best In Show winner, King, at the Beverly Hills Dog Show
- Hundreds of Best In Show wins throughout his career
- Won Best In Show at Montgomery County 6 times
Purina® Pro Plan® is proud to be the exclusive nutrition of choice for GR Kennels.
*Nestle Purina Petcare Company has a sponsorship agreement with this individual.
Gabriel Chooses Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula for King.
To help ensure his dogs are reaching their full potential in the ring, Gabriel trusts Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula for his dogs. Take a look at our full line of Pro Plan formulas to find the one that’s right for your dogs.
The handler was compensated for his time and received food as a Purina Ambassador.