Focus On Kristi Mann

Most of our ASTC members who have been around the Shih Tzu breed for any length of time have known Kristi Mann and have seen how much she has contributed to the breed over the last two decades. You may be aware that Kristi has had to step away from her duties serving on the board of ASTC due to health concerns. I recently spent some time talking with Kristi, reflecting on her life, and I discovered that I didn't know Kristi as well as I thought I did.

Kristi was born into what she called, a "relatively normal" family. She told me this as she chuckled. Her mother was from Seattle, and her father from Wisconsin. Kristi was raised in Seattle with her two brothers and two sisters. While her mother's family were of the Latter-Day Saint faith, her parents chose to educate Kristi and her siblings in Catholic schools. Kristi's mother has passed away, but her father is still living and will celebrate his 100th birthday on October 27, 2025.

It was Kristi's mother who introduced her to dogs. While the family had pet Labs, it was the family Scottie that lives in Kristi's fond childhood memories. When Kristi was twelve, her mother bought a well-bred Bloodhound and decided they would show it. Kristi, her mom and one of her sisters threw all their efforts into breeding and showing Bloodhounds.

By age fifteen, Kristi was fully invested in the breeding and exhibiting of Bloodhounds. She was a Junior Charter member of the Northwest Bloodhound Search and Rescue. Kristi was so determined to breed the best Bloodhounds, that she decided she just had to learn from the world-renowned Bloodhound breeder, Jackie Sinkinson, of The Rectory Bloodhound Kennels. Kristi secretly stashed away $600 earned from babysitting with the hopes of traveling to Westminster and meeting Sinkinson. Several weeks before Westminster, without her parents' knowledge, Kristi purchased an airline ticket to New York and even made her own hotel arrangements at a hotel within walking distance. She realized that at some point, she would have to tell her parents. She went to her dad first, and he said, "go talk to mom!" Kristi confidently approached her mom, who knew that no one was going to talk Kristi out of living her dream. So off to New York Kristi went, by herself, at the age of fifteen!

Kristi did seek out and meet Jackie Sinkinson and spoke with her enthusiastically. Sinkinson seemed pretty impressed with Kristi and told her to go home and grow up a little more and then give her a call. Kristi did just that! Two years later, Kristi became Mrs. Sinkinson's assistant at her kennels in Farmington, Maine, and in Owings Mills, Maryland. Kristi traveled with her when she exhibited her dogs. This experience was a dream come true for Kristi. She worked with The Rectory Kennels from age seventeen to twenty and then she went back home to Seattle.

Early in Kristi's life, she began training as a dog groomer, so when she returned to Seattle, it was only natural that she started working as a dog groomer. In 1988, by the age of thirty, Kristi had opened her own grooming salon. She still owns the salon and employs ten groomers.

In the early 1980s, Kristi became an assistant to professional handler Gary Trivilino, who eventually became her husband for twenty-seven years. They have since parted ways. After a couple of years as an assistant, Kristi took a more active role towards her own professional handling career. Initially, she was showing mostly sighthounds and sporting dogs, but then one day, a Shih Tzu came in as a client. Being a trained dog groomer, Kristi was game to take on the Shih Tzu and was convinced she could quickly learn the grooming skills required to successfully exhibit the Shih Tzu. She approached Jay Ammon, who not only was a well-respected Afghan breeder, but also a pioneer Shih Tzu breeder, Mrs. Ammon was eager to help Kristi on one condition. Kristi had to commit to paying it forward and mentor anyone needing help in the future. Kristi told me that she has guided her life on the promise she made to Mrs. Ammon.

Kristi continued with her successful professional handling career from 1984 to 1997. During this time, Kristi finished seventy-six Shih Tzu for a truly diverse group of Shih Tzu clients. She not only exhibited their dogs but also guided them in researching pedigrees to assist them in their breeding plans to improve the breed.

Kristi reminisced about the Shih Tzu she had the privilege of handling. One of the first ones she handled was CH Mahal's Amadeus Mozart. He was the 1992 ASTC National Specialty winner with her on the lead. She told me he was a beautiful mover. CH Mozart also won Best of Breed at the 1993 Westminster Kennel Club show under breeder judge Gilbert Kahn. CH Mozart was a multiple Best in Show winner.

Kristi told me one of her favorite Shih Tzu she handled was BISS CH Wingate's Tom Terrific. She remembers that he was a BIG BOY! She handled CH Tom to a Best of Breed win at the 1994 Westminster Kennel Club show under the Pekingese judge Bill Bergen. CH Tom was also a multiple Best in Show winner.

Kristi believes the final Shih Tzu she handled was CH Symarun's Romeo from Canadian breeder Carol Randle. CH Romeo was the 1996 Westminster Best of Breed winner and was a multiple Best in Show winner as well.

Kristi was honored to judge at the 2009 ASTC National Specialty in Oklahoma City, judging Dogs-Intersex, awarding Best of Breed to CH Hallmark Jolei Austin Powers.

Kristi was a founding member of the Puget Sound Shih Fanciers.

Kristi joined the American Shih Tzu Club in 1990. She told me that she never joins anything without giving 100 percent. In 2007, she ran by petition for a director's position on the ASTC board. She has served continuously on the ASTC board from 2007 to 2025. She also served as Chairperson for the Judges Education Committee from 2007 to 2025. She has served on other committees throughout the years.

In 2014, Kristi was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. This diagnosis shattered her dreams of becoming an AKC dog show judge. She continued to contribute in every way possible in her positions with the ASTC, but it has become increasingly difficult. Traveling alone is now impossible for Kristi, and she made the difficult decision to step down and let others take over her roles. She wants everyone to know how much she will miss being with her ASTC family. She is heartbroken to no longer be involved but will continue to do anything to help as she is able. She wants to emphasis that she still feels a debt of gratitude to Jay Ammon, who said she had to pay it forward. She wants all of us to pay it forward. She wants everyone to share their grooming tips with newcomers and to help mentor in the competition ring. She wants us to help others step up their game. Volunteerism is important, and we need to encourage volunteerism, mentorship and sportsmanship of others. For Kristi, it's all about the spirit of giving and the constant reminder that everyone has something to share.