Editorial: May 23, 2025

The 2026 Westminster Kennel Club judging panel has been released. According to club president Donald Sturz, “The panel was built to capture those with significant Westminster Kennel Club history as judges and/or participants. We plan to tell the stories throughout the lead-up to the show. There are newcomer judges as well on the breed level as a nod to the future.” We applaud this concept, as we have always felt that an invitation to judge the Westminster Kennel Club is a confirmation and recognition of one’s dedication and support of the sport. It is the pinnacle event of our sport, and a Westminster judging appointment is the highlight of anyone’s judging career. Heading the 150th Westminster Kennel Club judging panel is Mr. Pekingese, David Fitzpatrick. David brings his vast knowledge of purebred dogs and his years as a top breeder of Pekingese. His successes at Westminster as an exhibitor bring him firsthand knowledge of the thrill of this win, topping three Toy Group victories and winning Best in Show at the 2012 and 2021 events under two very knowledgeable and successful breeders and judges, Pat Craige Trotter and Cindy Vogels, respectively. David will select his Best in Show winner from the seven dogs that will be sent forward by Sporting Group judge Douglas Johnson, who also had a Garden Best in Show winner in Stump, the oldest dog ever to capture that award; Hound Group judge Michael Canalizo, who handled several record-breaking, top-winning Afghan Hounds, including a Westminster group winner; Working Group judge Sioux Forsyth-Green, a  successful professional handler and judge, and the daughter of the late professional handlers Jane and Bob Forsyth, both handers of Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show winners; Terrier Group judge Polly Smith, as familiar a face as the Statue of Liberty presence in New York, who brings her many years breeding and judging success she shared with her late husband Robert; Toy Group judge Charlotte Patterson, Lady Pug, with a laundry list of successes as a breeder and judge; Non-Sporting Group judge Eugene Blake, successful professional handler and a name synonymous with top-winning hounds, and last but not least to round out the group judges, Herding Group judge Sheree Moses Combs, a breeder of top-winning German Shepherd Dogs, including last year’s top Herding dog. Seven talented and deserving judges. All of us at Dog News congratulate the judges on this prime assignment and hope they have a field of wonderful dogs to choose from. It is true that many years ago I wrote of the Westminster Kennel Club that it is “The show you love to hate, but would kill to win”; I’m reminded of this quote thanks to Pat Trotter, who included it in her must-have book “Born To Win.” But with this upcoming panel, there is nothing to hate.