2023 AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BIS & GROUP JUDGES
HAROLD “RED” TATRO III TERRIER GROUP
6. How challenging was this assignment? Can you share your selection process? As I examined each dog, their Breed Standard was running through my mind, from the first glance to the last go-around. The quality was so deep that the selection process was diffi- cult. I had to make a final decision to the ones that filled my eye with pleasure—exquisite examples of their breeds. 7. Do you have a word or two about your Group winner? About the dogs that placed? My First Place winner, the Doberman Pinscher bitch, was dazzling. Beautiful example of the proper Doberman in char- acter and breed type; square, heavy bone, moved with pur- pose, and owned her ground. Second Place, the Portuguese Water Dog, held his beautiful outline standing and moving. He was built properly, with an outstanding head, tail, length of rib cage, and a short loin. He was exquisite to touch, everything was well-knit and solid. Wonderful temperament, intelligent expression, and built to do the job he was bred for. Third Place, the Giant Schnauzer, was an outstanding repre- sentative of his breed; robust, beautifully fronted, flow from neck to solid topline, and proper tail placement. His move- ment was sound and with purpose. He had a lovely harsh coat and exquisite muscle over a well-balanced body. Fourth Place, the Kuvasz, was an impressive dog that was sturdily built without being bulky. He was well balanced and of high quality. He was outstandingly sound and walked nat- urally into a perfect stack with zero effort. He was perfectly presented and handled. 8. A dog show of this magnitude is a monumental under - taking. Is there anything you’d like to say on behalf of the AKC and the show’s sponsors? The AKC staff, led by Michael Canalizo, Dennis Sprung, and Gina Dinardo, work tremendously hard on the event with so many other contributors from the AKC, like Mari-Beth O’Neill on the Puppy Stakes, Tim Thomas on Judges Edu- cation Seminars, and Paula Spector on all of the hospitality arrangements. The organizational piece behind the scenes is mind blowing—the planning for the next year begins on Monday after the event. We enjoy the finished product of their year-long efforts. We should all be extremely grateful. Royal Canin, led by Jason Taylor and Amanda Hilton, also work diligently throughout the year to develop fresh ideas that continue to make the event world-class. 9. Now that it’s over, what are your thoughts on the 2023 show year? Any thoughts on the year ahead? I am excited for our sport and the future of purebred dogs. The breeders clearly have a plan and are working diligently for healthy, beautiful breeding stock and family pets. Let’s con- tinue to mentor and encourage our youth to breed responsibly and with passion.
1. Can you describe your reaction to receiving an invitation to judge the Terrier Group at the AKC National Championship
Presented by Royal Canin?
It is a thrill and a great honor to be asked to judge at the AKC National Championship.
2. What does it mean to judge a Group at the only all-breed show organized directly by the American Kennel Club? Same as No. 1: a great honor to judge the Group at the largest dog show in the US. 3. In your opinion, how does this show differ from other AKC events? Besides being the largest dog show of the year, it is a gather- ing of most of the best dogs being shown in each breed. Be- ing televised on national TV and including all the breeds is a wonderful educational opportunity for purebred dogs and the AKC. 4. What were you thinking or feeling moments before you stepped into the center of the Group ring? I was quite anxious to see who each of the Breed winners was in the Group. 5. Was there a heightened energy coming from the dog and handler teams? Did you feel the energy of the spectators? I think the dogs and handlers were on their best game. I don’t actually take in the spectators while I am judging the Groups. “The quality was so deep that the selection process was difficult. I had to make a final decision to the ones that filled my eye with pleasure—exquisite examples of their breeds.”
162 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2024
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