HOUND GROUP JUDGE

Mr. Harold Tatro of Crowley, Texas

1. I participated in 4-H as a child. Then as an adult, I got started in Obedience to train my Doberman to be a well-mannered dog. After I entered a trial and won the class, I was hooked. I later began showing in conformation and never looked back.
2. To step onto the Green Carpet at Madison Square Garden as the Hound Group judge… I never thought I would be honored with this important assignment. To have watched so many icons of the dog show world over these past 42 years, and now join them in the center ring is quite humbling for me. I’m sure it will be an emotional moment.
3. As an exhibitor, there have been so many wonderful experiences: finishing my first dog, the first Group win, the first Best in Show win, and winning the National Specialty! As a judge, it would be judging the National Specialty of my breeds, judging the Terrier Group at the AKC National Championship show, the first assignment at Westminster, and now being the Hound Group judge!
4. That is hard to say. In a lot of ways, I would say I am like our current Chihuahuas—while I am NOT diminutive, I do get quite attached to my “people,” and I certainly have a “terrier-like temperament!”

TOY GROUP JUDGE
Mrs. Angela Pickett of Chuluota, Florida

1. I have always had dogs in my life and was involved in obedience training. When I wanted a smart, smaller dog to continue in Obedience with, a Papillon was the perfect choice for me. He was also a show prospect and he led me into Conformation.
2. I look forward to being part of this most prestigious and historic event. Having bred toy dogs for over 30 years, it is even more special to be judging a group that I am very passionate about.
3. There are so many wonderful memories. Watching two Papillons that I own and bred win Best of Breed at our National Specialty were two very special memories. Also, watching my daughter win Reserve Best in Show at The Westminster Kennel Club twice was truly amazing.
4. Probably my own breed, the Papillon. I am happy and friendly just like my dogs.

NON-SPORTING GROUP JUDGE
Mrs. Vicki Seiler-Cushman of Xenia, Ohio

1. I became involved in dog shows at 12 years old. My mother and I bred and showed Siberian Huskies with George Heitzman and George Rood as our handlers. I had the opportunity to show our Siberian, Ch. Lobo Rey, at a show when George could not make it and we won Best in Show. After that, my mother allowed me to show our dog, and he became the top-winning Best in Show Siberian Husky at that time. I had to work very hard to win my mother over!
2. The history of Westminster is magical, and I am so honored to have the opportunity to judge the best of the best, visit with the legends of our sport from around the world, and be part of Westminster returning to Madison Square Garden!
3. Winning the Working Group at Westminster in 1990 with the Giant Schnauzer Ch. Skansen’s I Have a Dream.
4. I like to think I am most similar to the Doberman Pinscher—loyal, alert, energetic, and determined.

HERDING GROUP JUDGE
Ms. Janina Laurin of Ashford, Connecticut

1. I’m a second-generation dog show fancier. It was inevitable that one of two things would happen: I’d either love the sport or run ninety miles an hour away from it. I chose the former option.
2. The depth and beauty of quality herding dogs, and the fact that Westminster is once again back at “The Garden.”
3. There isn’t any single favorite when you’ve been involved in the sport for so long. Among my favorites have been whenever any of the dogs we’ve owned or bred have reached the highest levels of competition, being named the AKC 2002 Herding Breeder of the Year, my sister finishing our first Dual Champion, watching my aunt win Best in Show at The Garden, and later my mother judging the Herding Group in 1995.
4. I’m probably most like my own breed: Doberman Pinscher—watchful, aloof but not shy, and ready to party with those I know well.

SPORTING GROUP JUDGE
Mrs. Virginia Murray of Island Lake, Illinois

1. I always had an interest in purebred dogs, and I had purebred dogs growing up. In the mid-seventies, we moved to the Chicago area and I went to work for Chuck and Marilee Hendee, who bred and showed English Springer Spaniels, English Cockers, and Silky Terriers. I managed their boarding kennel and helped with their dogs before I eventually started going to dog shows and showing their dogs. I met my husband, Ken, at a show. Marilee was also the sister of Clint Harris, who was a very well-known handler, and I spent a summer traveling with him to shows and learning. It was an interesting experience, LOL!
2. Everything! It’s back at MSG! People have asked me if I’ll be nervous, and my answer to them repeatedly is no. So long as I don’t throw up or fall down, I’ll have a great time! I’ll be judging the best Sporting dogs in the country! How fun will that be?
3. I have so many favorite memories, but one was watching my husband win the Sporting Group at Westminster three years in a row with a Gordon Setter. That was very exciting.
4. This is a tough question, and I had to think about this for a while. One of my staff said a Portuguese Water Dog, and although I have had this breed for many, many years, I don’t think I’m quite as “energetic” as they are. I’d say a Border Terrier, a little feisty and a little devilish at times.

WORKING GROUP JUDGE
Mr. Niksa Lemo of Zagreb, Croatia

1. Since childhood, I have always been surrounded by dogs. When I was 14, I attended my first open dog show, and from that moment, I was hooked. The experience ignited a passion in me that has lasted a lifetime. From then on, most of my weekends have been dedicated to dog shows, practicing various dog sports, and hiking with my dogs. The bond with my dogs and the community around these events has shaped who I am today.
2. This is truly a dream assignment for me, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. It will be my third time judging at Westminster, and every time feels just as special as the first. Since childhood, I’ve followed everything happening at Westminster in February, and for the last 24 years, I’ve attended in person. Judging the Working Group at Madison Square Garden is the pinnacle for me. I’ve judged the Working Group across the world for the past 30 years, but hearing the announcement, “May we have the Working Group in the ring, please,” at Westminster is something I look forward to with great anticipation.
3. This sport has brought me countless joys, and when I look back, I’m filled with cherished memories. The highlight of my career was being selected to judge Best in Show at the FCI World Dog Show (15,000 dogs), the most prestigious event of the year. I’ll never forget that day. The lineup of dogs was spectacular, the main ring was beautifully decorated, and the arena was filled with spectators from all over the world. It was an immense honor, and the entire day from morning to the post-show dinner with my closest friends is a memory I will treasure forever.
4. Without a doubt, I would say the Doberman. I am naturally driven and thrive on physical activity, always pushing myself to the maximum. Like the Doberman, I am loyal and protective of my family and friends, always seeking to stay busy and connected with them. The breed’s blend of athleticism, loyalty, and energy mirrors my own personality.

TERRIER GROUP JUDGE
Mr. David Kirkland of Sanford, North Carolina

1. My family bought a Miniature Schnauzer puppy. He was a wonderful dog, but not show quality. I took him to a weekly Obedience class where I met several people who showed in Conformation. Shortly thereafter, I got my first show dog who finished her AKC Championship. She was my start as a breeder/owner and handler.
2. It has always been a dream of mine to judge the Terrier Group at Westminster. That will become a reality this coming February.
3. There are so many happy memories, but a standout moment was the first time I judged at Westminster. I was so excited to judge some Terrier breeds, and my family and some of their friends even came to watch, understanding this was such a prestigious event.
4. I chiefly bred and owned two breeds: Miniature Schnauzers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Both are friendly and easygoing. I believe I have those qualities, and I hope few disagree.