WESTMINSTER 2018 Mrs. Betty-Anne Stenmark JUDGE, BEST IN SHOW
I have been judging for 42 years and there have been many highlights along the way — but none will surpass judging Best in Show at the 142nd annual Westminster Kennel Club show. As many of you know Westminster judges are invited almost two years in advance and this was quite a secret to keep. It’s a long time to anticipate the assignment of a lifetime. It has become much more than judging seven dogs. There were many print interviews, a documentary film crew, another film crew and Fox Sports filming from the time we arrived at our hotel.
it altogether on the night it counted. The Border Collie was eye-catching, I loved his intent expression, a typey dog who could obviously do his job and well. Before I awarded Reserve Best in Show what I said was: I love all dogs, both purebred and crossbreds alike. But tonight is a special celebration of purebred dogs, The best of the best Purposefully bred by responsible dog breeders. I wrote those remarks many months ago, they seemed appropriate coming from me. I have long be- lieved we purebred dog lovers must reach across the aisle so to speak and let the other side know we love all dogs. I am one who admires what
I thought I had a stellar line-up for Best. Seven magnificent dogs. It seems trite to say that any one of these seven could have won Best but in this case that would be true. The Sussex Spaniel is not only a charming dog but a very good one. It is not easy to breed a dog of this qual- ity when the gene pool is only a puddle. The Borzoi bitch is eye-catching, all the curves in the right places, she is like a piece of fine porcelain. The Giant Schnauzer is a stallion of a dog who I thought in the ring displayed
Westminster does with this broadcast, embracing rescue, supporting veterinary students, and show casing dogs doing what they are bred to do. It is important that the pet owning public knows us as something other than elitist. Frankly I think we all need to do more to pro- mote what it is we do and do well. The large majority of the viewing audience around the world is a pet owner
and this is our op- portunity to reach out and educate them. Perhaps their interest in our broadcast will mean one day in the future they will
correct temperament for the breed. He reacted to the hooded camera as a guard dog should, that camera looked like a hooded thug or the Grim Reaper. I moved away
I love all dogs, both purebred and crossbreds alike. But tonight is a special celebration of purebred dogs, The best of the best Purposefully bred by responsible dog breeders.
from it so when he came back to me it wasn’t in his line of sight. The Norfolk dog is of excellent breed type and shown in immaculate condition. The Pug was quite a package, square and cobby, “multum in parvo” indeed. The Bichon sparkled and continually caught my eye. Under that coat of proper texture is a well constructed dog of correct proportions and balance, a dog who put
seek a purebred dog. I would like to thank once again the ladies and gen- tlemen of the Westminster Kennel Club and in particular Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Helming and Mr. Bradley for the honor of judging Best in Show. It was a privilege to judge those seven magnificent dogs. —Betty-Anne Stenmark
is licensed to judge all breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and Terrier groups, 12 breeds from the Working group, Cardigan Welsh Corgis and Pembroke Welsh Corgis from the Herding group, and Best in Show. In 1980, she was instrumental in the es- tablishment of the Del Valle Dog Club of Liv- ermore, California, which has since grown to attract one of the largest entries on the West Coast. Mrs. Stenmark recently retired as show chairman of the Del Valle Dog Club, after serving in that capacity for 70 consecutive events. As a purebred dog advocate, in 1990 Mrs. Stenmark co-founded Responsible Dog Breeders of San Mateo County. The group suc- cessfully overturned restrictive breeding leg- islation and was later granted American Kennel Club (AKC) club recognition as Sky- line Dog Fanciers.
In addition to her all-breed dog club in- volvement, Mrs. Stenmark has held many other positions including President of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America, board member of the San Mateo County Fair board, board member of Take the Lead, and long-time member of the AKC Trial Board. This is her 11th assignment at Westmin- ster. She previously judged the Hound group in 1998 and 2015 and the Terrier group in 2008. Professionally, Mrs. Stenmark was a part- ner in the firm Stenmark Metal Specialties, with her late husband, Roy. The firm special- ized in seismic motion systems. In later years, she was the volunteer coordinator at Palo Alto Animal Services. Now retired, Mrs. Stenmark lives with her husband, Ben, along with four Dandie Dinmont Terriers. — Courtesy WKC
Mrs. Betty-Anne Stenmark of Woodside, Cal- ifornia was chosen to select the Best In Show winner at the 142ndWestminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which will take place Feb. 12-13, 2018. Mrs. Stenmark is a breeder, owner, and long-time dog club officer. She joins the elite list of judges who have presided over best in show at Westminster, “America’s Dog Show.” Mrs. Stenmark has dedicated a lifetime to the sport of dogs as an exhibitor, breeder, ca- nine advocate, judge and dog club show chairman. In 1967, she exhibited a Saint Bernard at her first dog show in Vancouver, British Columbia. After breeding Saint Bernards and Salukis, she was charmed by the unique qualities of the Dandie Dinmont Ter- rier and for the past 41 years, she has contin- ued in that breed under the King’s Mtn. prefix. In 1977, Mrs. Stenmark earned her AKC- license to judge Saint Bernards. Currently she
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