2023 AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BIS & GROUP JUDGES
“The AKC and Royal Canin have fine-tuned this event to be spectacular. Their attention to detail is second to none. It is a testimony to all of the AKC staff that work hard to organize and run this event that makes it so special. Kudos to each and every person who participated.”
DAVID J. KIRKLAND NON-SPORTING GROUP
6. How challenging was this assignment? Can you share your selection process? The depth of quality in this Terrier Group was as good as any I have seen or judged. I will say it was very difficult to limit the short list to just 10 dogs and even harder to only have four ribbons to award. 7. Do you have a word or two about your Group winner? About the dogs that placed? I would rather not make comments about the specific winners as I don’t think that is appropriate, other than to say they were all very deserving of their wins. 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 and Royal Canin have fine-tuned this event to be spectacular. Their attention to detail is second to none. It is a testimony to all of the AKC staff that work hard to organize and run this event that makes it so special. Kudos to each and every person who participated. 9. Are there specific ways in which this show furthers the cause of purebred dogs? Oh, yes. I think the nationally televised show reaches mil- lions of the general public and helps to educate them about the positive aspects of our purebred and purpose-bred dogs. I have been contacted by several friends from high school and from my time in the Air Force who I haven’t seen in many, many years. They saw me and watched the show and were amazed at ALL the different breeds of dog that exist! 10. Now that it’s over, what are your thoughts on the 2023 show year? Any thoughts on the year ahead? Well, on January 1 we all start the process again; more dogs to show, breedings to be planned, litters to raise, dogs to show, and shows to judge!
1. Can you describe your reaction to receiving an invitation to judge the Non-Sporting Group at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin? I was quite surprised when I received the invitation to do the Non-Sporting Group. I had judged the NS Group
back in 2019 and it was just as much fun this time as it was back then. The 2019 Group winner was a black Standard Poo- dle and this time it was a black Miniature Poodle! Who would have thought? 2. What does it mean to judge a Group at the only all- breed show organized directly by the American Kennel Club? In your opinion, how does this show differ from other AKC events? It was a distinct honor and privilege to judge at this presti- gious show sponsored by the AKC and Royal Canin. Entries are plentiful and quality abounds. This sets this weekend apart from others. 3. What were you thinking or feeling moments before you stepped into the center of the Group ring? I have been blessed to judge Groups at both ANC and West- minster before. This time was no different. I was quite anx- ious until I took the first step into the large ring. All was dis- pelled as I went about the business at hand.
164 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2024
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