Question of the Week

Thomas Bradley III

Watertown, New York

Tough question but fun to answer, as it provided a great visit down memory lane. 

Any assignment to judge Irish Setters ranks at the top. I have never owned an Irish Setter but learned the breed from one of the best, my friend Ted Eldredge, Trivelda. I have judged various parts of their national a number of times but two stand out. At one, my WB and my RWB were litter sisters from two different classes. I don’t remember the number, but it was well over 100. 

My last assignment found my WD standing in front of his dam, who was BOS. Both of these made me very proud.

BIS at Santa Barbara 1976. It was my first BIS assignment and I had never even judged the Sporting Group! I can still tell you the six group winners!

BIS Westminster 2017. I retired from judging after this assignment, as there was nowhere to go after that. The fun part of the night too was placing the Irish Setter RBIS. He was my BB winner from the National.

There are certainly plenty of other assignments that I have cherished. My first assignment was the Tri-Breed specialty in Wisconsin: GSP, GWP and Ymars. Once my hands stopped shaking it was a great day. 

My Open Black class of 20-plus Labrador bitches at Eastern one year is a favorite. All four were sired by my favorite dog — Dickendall Arnold!  

Being invited to judge any specialty assignment is an honor never forgotten.

Jeanne Nonhof

Plymouth, Wisconsin

Judging BOB at the Samoyed Club of America National four times! Can’t get a much bigger compliment from my fellow breeders than that. Plus the chance to get my hands on the greatest Samoyeds in the country.  Simply thrilling. Also judging the Sammy national in Australia.

Nathaniel Horn

Key Largo, Florida (winter), and Columbia, Maryland (summer)

1. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever National Specialty. Having the opportunity to judge my own breed twice was a great honor.
2. Philadelphia KC National Dog Show - Having the opportunity to do the Sporting Group which was subsequently televised on Thanksgiving was another great honor.
3. My last choice is a little bit different: Mesilla Valley KC - finding that after I chose a Pomeranian for BIS the exhibitor was a Junior who won Best in Show NOHS BIS and Best JS that day. It was also the exhibitor and her dog’s first BIS. This was very special, and I won’t forget it.

Walter Sommerfelt

Lenoir City, Tennessee

My Westminster Herding Group assignment in 2014 and the Old English Sheepdog National Specialty are the two that stand out the most. But there have been so many over the past 40-plus years that were special. It is always a privilege to be chosen to judge at any show.   appreciate them all and the hard work of all the club members who work so hard to make them happen.

Joy Bass

Palestine, Texas

I am licensed for one breed only: Shetland Sheepdogs.

My three most favorite judging assignments have been:

2006: The Shetland Sheepdog Club of Hawaii Specialty Show in Honolulu. The hospitality and camaraderie of the club members were superlative.

2020: The Shetland Sheepdog Club of Hawaii Specialty Show in Honolulu. I was invited once again to judge, and once again the hospitality and camaraderie of the club members was above and beyond what I could possibly imagine.

2023: The American Shetland Sheepdog Association National Specialty at the Purina Event Center in St. Louis, Missouri, where I was invited to judge the Veteran Sweepstakes classes. This was absolutely a dream of a lifetime assignment, which I never imagined would be offered to me, since the national-specialty assignments are usually voted on and hotly contested years in advance. It was extremely exciting to have the opportunity to judge many of the lovely older dogs who have had outstanding wins in the past.

Richard Powell 

Palmyra, Pennsylvania

My three favorite assignments are the Terrier Group at the Garden — pretty amazing; the Gordon Setter national and Scotties at Montgomery County. Both these national specialties had incredible quality, which was such a joy to sort through.

John Savory

Keswick, Virginia

Our marvelous sport offers many rewards, which for some of us eventually leads to participating as a judge. I have followed this path on a limited basis for 42 years and have many great memories. These are the three that really stand out. 

In the late 1980s I judged Irish Setters at the Blackpool Championship Show in the northwest part of England. This was of much significance for me since I was born and raised only 35 miles from Blackpool. The assignment came about in an unusual manner. My wife and I were visiting my sister, who lived in my hometown in East Lancashire, and we were having a night out at a restaurant in a hotel in the hilly countryside close to Blackpool. At the table next to us was a group whose focus of conversation was on show dogs. I introduced myself and found out they were the planning committee for the Blackpool Championship Show. When I told them that I was a judge of Irish Setters, the secretary of the club invited me to judge the next year.

An old friend of mine, Peter Baynes, who like me hailed from the North of England, was judging Boxers and was there to show me the ropes of this highly prestigious show. I was introduced as the American judge when, in fact, I was the only Lancastrian on the judging panel. Of interest was that hard liquor was available at the show site early in the morning. Wisely, I did not avail myself of this perk. I had a couple of excellent stewards who kept the dogs in the correct order for those exhibits who had already been judged in a previous class. Entering in multiple classes is a common practice in Great Britain. I had 178 bitches entered so I had a full day’s work ahead of me.

Eventually the judging ended up with a choice for Best of Breed and the gentleman judging the dogs and myself had to make this final decision. The dog winner was not my type at all, but the judge told me that he was top Irish Setter in the country. Since we did not agree, a referee was called in who decided in my favor and the lovely Open bitch was awarded Best of Breed.

A second memorable experience was judging a large English Setter specialty in Washington, D.C., in 1986, the day after the English Setter National Specialty. Those were the halcyon days of huge entries, and I judged bitches and intersex and had 114 entries in the regular classes and 48 in intersex. My most significant memory was, of course, with Best of Breed. I decided to judge bitches first, as was my usual practice. The show was indoors, and the girls were all lined up — 50 yards of gorgeous bitches. Right behind me outside of the ring was Elsworth Howell. I was slightly intimidated by the presence of Mr. English Setter, so I decided to take notes, something I had never resorted to previously. I always had relied completely on my memory. After judging a few dogs I realized that note taking was not for me and I switched back to memory, which has served me well ever since. As I was proceeding I saw a softening in the expression of Mr. Howell and this boosted my confidence. My final choice was the immortal bitch Ch. Windem’s Lotsadots. Correct size, beautiful head and super shoulder and front angulation. It was a privilege to get my hands on her and enjoy her obvious quality.

My third most memorable experience was judging bitches at the Irish Setter Club of America National Specialty in 1990. I judged dog classes a decade later but the first time was the most memorable. The show was in Dallas, Texas, and again was in the era of huge entries. I had 45 exhibits in the 12 to 18 month class; what quality there was. The Bred-by Exhibitor class was equally huge and full of quality. After judging all the classes my final choice was between two gorgeous bitches of superb type: the Open bitch of Mary Merlo and the American Bred bitch shown by Maureen Day. Thirty-five years on, both Mary and Maureen are still very active in our sport. I gave the win to the lovely American Bred bitch, who went on to do some nice winning as a special. The following year’s national specialty, which was the largest of all, saw her win Best of Opposite Sex with Annie Clark judging.  

Three memorable experiences for me. I have many other exciting memories including judging Setters at three Australian shows, the English Setter National Specialty, Morris & Essex and others. Age has now caught up with me, and my judging days have probably drawn to a close, but I am still actively showing an Irish Setter and Rhodesian Ridgeback, and thoroughly enjoying myself.

Dr. Sophia Kaluzniacki

Green Valley, Arizona

Impossible to choose just three. It would be much easier to choose the three I least liked. But if that question would actually be asked, I would probably skip answering. Just would not want to hurt or embarrass anyone …
 

Richard F. Sedlack

Middlefield Ohio

It would be hard to pick three over the 25 years I have been judging, but judging the Toy variety at the Poodle Club of America was an honor and great fun.   

Marlene Groves

Kiowa, Colorado

As a newer judge, I have had some really fun judging assignments, but I think these are my top three (so far):

Inland Empire Hound Show with Western Hound at Silverado, California – a fabulous opportunity for a hound judge with lovely hounds and in a beautiful setting!

Maury County KC, Franklin, Tennessee – a delightful show with great hound entries and delightful club members and exhibitors!

Des Moines KC, Des Moines, IA – a wonderfully run show, great site, great judge transport/support, and some great dogs!

May I also add, I truly appreciate clubs that offer permit judges and newer judges all their breeds. It sure makes it less of a cost burden for us!

Beverly Vics

High Point, North Carolina

Of course, my most favorite judging assignment is any national specialty. The Akita club is closest to my heart. Nationals bring in dogs from all over the country (sometimes out of the country), so you get your hands on the best.

Second would be Westminster. The dogs are the top quality in the world, and the hospitality and camaraderie are beyond any other club

Third would be the American Kennel Club show in Orlando, for the same reasons as the Westminster Kennel Club: the best dogs in the world to judge. Many specialties going on, bringing in the best of the best.  

Ann Roth

Wilmington, North Carolina

Hard to pick just three! Beagle, English Foxhound and Harrier national specialties, Woofstock and Palm Springs.

Richard Miller

LaHarpe, Illinois

I have many favorite assignments; however, my top three would have to include judging Progressive Toy Show in NYC. Another judge and I judged the various breeds. When we finished, Dorothy Nichols judged BIS.  This was years ago since Dorothy has not been with us for an extended period of time. My second most favorite assignment was judging breeds at the Royal Canin shows in Florida. The space was so vast that it was easy to become confused. My third choice would be to have judged the national specialty for the Chihuahua Club of America on three different occasions.  I bred and showed this breed for 55 years. Being asked to accept this honor on three occasions is one that I cherish and will always remember. 

Joan Goldstein

Warren, New Jersey

The Millennium Whippet National in 2000, the World Dog Show in Stockholm, Sweden, Westminster at Madison Square Garden, and AKC/Eukanuba in Tampa in 2006 and Long Beach in 2007.

So many more, both national and International. A lifetime of experiences for which I am so grateful.

Adrian Woodfork

Sacramento, California

My three favorite judging assignments: Doberman national (four times), National Dog Show in Philadelphia, and the Australian Doberman national.

Christie Martinez

Gig Harbor, Washington

Picking favorites is tough. It’s an honor to even be asked, and 500-entry shows or 2,000-plus-entry shows are always a privilege to judge.

It was years ago, but the Peachtree Blossom Cluster in Perry was a standout. I was a newer/younger judge and was overwhelmed with all the rings and number of judges. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. All the beautiful flowers and decorations remain in my memory. I met the beautiful Kathleen Steen, and when I told her she reminded me of Carol Channing we had a great laugh.

Doug Johnson/Jamie Hubbard’s show, the Indy Winter Classic in Indianapolis, was a fun show. Judges hospitality was over the top, and the quality of the dogs was phenomenal. It was nice having the AKC booth and Take the Lead set up, there plus amazing vendors. I spent a small fortune.

Being escorted out on the red carpet by my idol, Mari-Beth O’Neill, at the National Dog Show in Philadelphia was the highlight of my judging career. The following day my dear friend, Adrian Woodfork, shined on live TV and it was a joy to watch. Every Thanksgiving we enjoy the show, and I can say, “I was there!”

Desi Murphy

Monroe, New York

One of my favorite assignments was judging Labrador bitches at the World Dog Show in Amsterdam. 

A second one was judging the Bull Terrier National. 

Third world be some of the breeds at the AKC National Championship Show. 

Mike Macbeth

Ontario, Canada

Judging my own breed, Dandie Dinmont, at Crufts 2022.

Judging the Caledonian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club Championship show in June of this year … my final judging assignment, as I have retired. Appropriately, the ancestral home of both myself and the dogs.

Any of the shows run by the FCA (Argentinian Kennel Club) in Buenos Aires – exquisite dogs (particularly Dobermans), superbly run shows, wonderful hospitality. The place I shall miss most.

Bobbie Wood

Cranford, New Jersey

Well, at the top of the list is my breed’s national specialty, which I have had the honor to judge twice. Then always an honor to judge specialties in other countries. The Lhasa Apso clubs go all out to make your trip very special. I was so appreciative of Australia, England, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Canada for inviting me for their specialties with quality dogs to judge! Met wonderful friends everywhere I went.

Gay Kuehnel-Hisatake

Trenton, New Jersey

Any opportunity to judge a specialty is an honor, and always exciting. Over the years I have judged many, but officiating at the Alaskan Malamute National was definitely at the top of my list, and looking forward to the Schipperke National in two years. Traveling to other countries provides a unique experience, and allows a judge to see many different dogs. Judging the Alaskan Malamute National in France, as well as Working dog specialties in the Czech Republic and Spain, and Malamute specialties in Australia, all rate very highly as truly exciting judging assignments. But I don't want to forget the small but more personal and still important local show, where judges might have the opportunity to impact new people with their first show dog. I find these shows to be very rewarding with a different level of excitement, particularly if I have been able to impact one or two people by giving advice or encouragement to improve their skills, to find a handler, or to praise a particular quality of their dog.