ABOUT WILL

About

From an early age, Will was immersed in the world of purebred dogs. His family bred and showed Irish Setters, and as a junior, he began breeding English Cockers under the Wilspride prefix. He made his ring début at just seven years old with one of his father’s setters, and quickly became an active, and successful, competitor in both Junior Showmanship and the breed ring with a wide variety of breeds.

While Will always dreamed of becoming a professional handler, he first spent time learning the ropes with some of the sport’s best: Garry MacDonald in Canada and Bobby Stebbins in the United States. These formative years gave him the foundation to gain experience, sharpen his skills, and perfect his craft.

Record-Breaking Career

Will Alexander and an Irish Setter in nature

Will turned professional in 1986, and just one year later, he made history. In 1987, he took Ch. McCammom Impresario, an Irish Setter, to Top Dog All Breeds, becoming the youngest handler ever to earn that distinction.

Since then, his record speaks for itself:

One of only five handlers to achieve multiple Top Dog All Breeds wins
Maintained a Top Ten All Breeds dog every year since 1991
Guided multiple dogs to Best in Show wins across North America

Notable achievements include:

1993 – Ch. Quailfield's Mak’n Business (Irish Setter)
2005 – Ch. Muldoon Dewitt's Great One (“Piper”), who went on to earn an astonishing 100 Best in Shows
2010 – Ch. Mijkelh Sikanni of Procyon (“Keefer,” Afghan Hound)

A Career Defined

Over the decades, Will has worked with countless remarkable dogs, from Adele, the English Setter, to Miss P, the charismatic 15” Beagle who won the 2015 Westminster Best in Show award. Yes, it was Will at the end of the lead when she charmed the world on the floor of Madison Square Garden.

Mentorship & Legacy

One of Will’s greatest influences is the legendary George Alston, widely regarded as one of the best teachers in the sport. Inspired by that mentorship, Will has carried the tradition forward through his seminars, online education, and one-on-one coaching.

His passion for teaching is evident in the success of his many apprentices, several of whom have gone on to achieve their own remarkable milestones in the dog world. For Will, passing on knowledge is as important as winning, and he remains dedicated to helping shape the future of the sport.

Thank you for visiting. I’m proud of what the dogs, and the people around them, have taught me. I hope to continue sharing what I’ve learned and giving back to the sport that’s given me so much.

Will