Paige Rimer is like most teens ... involved in school, sports, friends. But, unlike other teens, she spends her spare time raising, training and showing springer spaniels

Paige, daughter of Judy Rimer of Warren and Carl Rimer of North East, has two black and white spaniels, Ellie, whom she shows, and Angel. The pups are sisters, born one year apart.

Her interest in showing canines began six years ago.

"I became interested in showing dogs when I was about 8," she said, "when I watched my first dog show on TV."

"When I was 9, we got our first springer." Paige said the breed is a "great size" for her, "gorgeous, great show dogs ... they are very attentive."

Paige has been showing dogs for four or five years now, in Pennsylvania, New York and some in Ohio. She has traveled to shows in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg as well as Stockton, Syracuse and Buffalo, N.Y., for MB-F Inc. (a dog show organizer) and other shows in junior handling division for ages 9 to 18. Of the five shows she participated in during the summer of 2008, she earned a first place in four of them.

She also won grand champion in the grooming and handling division at the Chautauqua County Fair, qualifying her for the New York State Fair.

Paige hasn't limited herself to showing springer spaniels. She has shown papillons, Brittanies, Norfolk terriers, an Italian greyhound and an Afghan hound, all in breed categories.

Her success has come, in part, through support from her family and from fellow members of the Conewango Valley Kennel Club.

Paige is "a girl who is going to make it just fine," said Judy Hartley, kennel club treasurer. "She's very sure of herself and willing to learn. She takes direction very easily."

Her father agrees. He said he is "proud of what Paige has accomplished with her dog showing. The most notable (is) that she was able to take an idea and commit to training her dog and honing her skills as a handler to a high level. (She and Ellie) are a great team."

Because of Paige's busy schedule - she'll be a freshman at Warren Area High School next year - she doesn't have as much time as she'd like to work with and show Ellie.

It's hard work.

Sometimes the criticisms are hard to take.

"It takes a thick skin," Paige explained "Some of these people tell you what they think. Competition can be tough. You just have to take it."

But the work is worth it.

"It helps them become more sure of themselves," Hartley said "And it helps them be able to be friends with people their own age through elderly people who share the same interest."

Her father believes dog handling has enhanced Paige's individuality and poise.

"I remember one of her early shows in Albion, N.Y.," he said. "It was an 8 a.m. ring time and the grass was still quite damp. Paige was gaiting her dog around the ring and slipped on the wet grass and fell flat on her back. Both she and Ellie kept their composure and continued with their exercise. To both our surprise, she was awarded first place in her class, despite the mishap."

The Conewango Valley Kennel Club, which has approximately 40 members, meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Lakewood (N.Y.) Rod & Gun Club. Paige also participates in 4-H, with the Chautauqua County Paws & Pals.

"A lot of people have helped me," Paige said. "A lot of the kennel club members have been helpful to me and my father."