JUDGES’ BIOGRAPHIES 2016 FABIO AMORIM, BRASIL I am a Civil Engineer and I started my life in dogs at the age of ten with one Dalmatian, after that I started breeding Dobermans and founded “Von Bullit Kennels” in July of 1987. Numerous Champions and Grand Champions as well as many Best in Show winners were born at “Von Bullit Kennels”. I have also owned Miniature Schnauzers. Currently, in partnership with my brother, we are creating Australian Cattle Dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, German Spitz and Golden Retrievers. I have been an all Breed judge since 1994, CBKC/FCI. I have judged more than one hundred dog shows in Brazil and abroad. I am also a Specialty Doberman Breed Judge since 1996, CBKC/CBRD. I have judged several dog shows in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Colombia. My administrative experience includes President of the Kennel Club of the State of Piauí (KCEPI) 1998-2004 Member of Council of Representatives of the Brazilian Kennel Club (CBKC) 1991 and 1998-2003 Member of the Board of CBKC 2003/2004 Member of the CBKC Fiscal Council 2004/2014 In April 2014 assumed the Vice Presidency of the Brazilian Kennel Club (CBKC) FRANCESCA BROWNING-CRISTINA, SOUTH AFRICA I am second generation breeder judge and exhibitor. Our late parents April and Buster Browning started the Braganza prefix in 1948.Our kennel name is one of the oldest most recognized names in South Africa. Currently together with my sister Jackie we breed standard poodles, miniature poodles, English cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers. I have owned and bred over 200 champions in these breeds including Dog of the Year All breed with a standard poodle, owned the top winning miniature poodle of all time and top winning cocker spaniel. We are very proud to have bred the only Poodle from South Africa to have won Best of Opposite Sex at Poodle Club of America—the black miniature Am Ch and Ch Keep the Faith with Braganza I am currently exhibiting the top miniature poodle and standard poodle for 2015 I am a very active breeder exhibitor, however, I still find time to be the Convenor of the Provincial Judges Education Committee as well as serve on the board of the National Breed Judges Education Committee. I have one son who resides in Australia and have very recently become a very proud grandmother. Both my sister and I judge. I have judged in Australia, New Zealand, Germany USA, Austria, Canada, India, Norway, Sweden, Brazil as well as Argentina Thailand, Malaysia and Japan I have also had the honour to award Challenge Certificates in the UK for Poodles. JON COLE, TENNESSEE, USA I am a second-generation dog person who grew up in the world of Sporting, Working, Terrier and Hound breeds as a youngster. As I approached University age, I began breeding and showing Bull Terriers (under the Kennel Name Bejobos) in the 60’sand 70’s. Our breeding program was quite successful allowing us to breed and finish a number of Champions winning Groups and BIS’s. A few years later, we became interested in Bedlingtons. As with the Bull Terriers, the Bedlingtons proved very successful for my wife and I in the show ring. As time passed other breeds entered our lives—West Highland White Terriers, Smooth Fox Terriers, Shih Tzu, Greyhound, Schipperkes and French Bulldogs. Currently I have a Miniature Bull Terrier. I began judging Terriers in 1971. I have been granted approval, in the United States, for All Breeds. I now judge extensively throughout the year, and do not show or breed dogs any more. My judging has taken me to all parts of the United States, as well as, Canada, Mexico, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, the Far East, Russia and Europe. Judging has given me the opportunity to meet wonderful people all over the world, and see the types of dogs they breed and show. BILL DEVILLENEUVE, NY, USA I began as a breeder-owner-handler in the early 1970's with my Scottish Terriers. I have whelped 20+ litters and shown 20+ Scotties to their AKC championships. I was the top Scottie owner-handler in the US with two different dogs in the 80's and 90's. In 2006 I owned the #1 Scottie bitch (#2 overall), a multi group, multi BIS, and multi BISS winner; CH. Wychwood Wyndola of Duff-De; shown by Bergit Kabel. I have also bred and owned several other multi group and BISS winners as well as the top producing Scottie brood bitch 20 years ago. Although my judging schedule has forced me to cut back on breeding and limited my available time for showing, I am staying somewhat active and have produced two litters in the last 5 years. Two boys in the first litter were sold and owner handled to their AKC championships, and two girls from the recent litter 2 ½ years ago have also finished their championships. In fact, I kept one of the girls and returned to the show ring as an exhibitor for the first time in almost 7 years and finished "Hannah" myself. It was exciting and challenging to show once again and be in the ring on the other side of the lead. I have just bred my girl and hope to have a litter of puppies on the ground in early May. With regard to judging, I was first approved for Scottish Terriers in 1983 and completed approval for the Terrier Group in 1991. Since then, I have been approved to judge the Toy Group and then completed approval for the Working Group in 2010. More recently, I have been approved for 8 provisional breeds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Beagles, Whippets, Scottish Deerhounds, Pharaoh Hounds, PBGVs, Bulldogs, and Lowchen. I have judged a Scottish Terrier specialty in Scotland and the national specialty in the US along with many regional specialties in the US and Canada. My judging travels have also taken me to Sweden, Mexico, Dominican Republic, almost every province in Canada, and most of the states across the US. I truly enjoy judging and have fun doing it. I also try to make it an enjoyable experience for the exhibitors, their dogs, and the spectators too. GORAN GLADIC, SERBIA Goran Gladic is an FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) judge for FCI groups II, III and IX, and has judged group and BIS at regional, national and international shows in many countries throughout Europe over the past 12 years. This will be Goran’s first judging assignment in North America. A resident of Serbia, Mr. Gladic has bred Scottish Terriers since 1990, establishing his Invisible Touch Kennels in 1992. Since then, his breedings have produced 17 champion Scottish Terriers of his own, with many more worldwide. Previously he owned Yellow German Boxers and black Cocker Spaniels. Goran has actively served on the boards of directors for the Kennel Club of Serbia, the Scottish Terrier Club of Serbia and the all-breed dog club in his hometown. He is a member of national Scottie Clubs in France, Germany and England. A professional groomer, he has written a book on grooming and trimming, as well as many dog-related articles in Serbian magazines. COLIN HAMILTON, AUSTRALIA My wife and I started in Afghan Hounds in 1972 and bred our first Afghan litter in 1981 under our prefix KJAVU. Our biggest winner over the years was our Grand Ch Kjavu Air Jordan who won 92 Best In Shows, including BIS at the Brisbane Royal Show and BIS at the Melbourne Royal Show at 10 years old. Jordan also the #1 Dog All Breeds in Australia in 1999, 2000 and 2001. We have also owned and shown Pekingese, Whippets, Borzoi, Shih Tzu, plus our son’s Standard Poodle, Supreme Ch Huffish Dynamite Street who lives with us. He was Australia’s #1 Dog All Breeds in 2013and 2014. I have been judging since 1994 and judged in most States of Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and have had 15 judging trips to the USA. I have judged specialties for Afghan Hounds in the USA, the UK and Australia, and Poodles in New Zealand. In the USA I have judged Norwegian Elkhounds, Gordon Setters, Lowchen, Tibetan Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, and Whippets. Plus I judged the Basset Hound specialty in Melbourne. I am licensed to judge Toys, Sporting, Hounds and the Non Sporting Groups. I have been the Secretary of the Sunbury Canine Club in Melbourne since 1991, and it has been Australia’s biggest one day dog show for over 15 years. ROBERT HUTTON, KENTUCKY, USA Bob's passion for the Fancy began in 1956 when his neighbors began taking him to dog shows. His first dog, a Bedlington Terrier, was winners dog at the old Morris and Essex Kennel Club show almost sixty years ago. The puppy was nine months old and the entry was eighty! What a wonderful start to a life time adventure. As time went on through the teen years Bob finished many of his own dogs and those of friends, as well. As a young adult he handled professionally and enjoyed many successes with mainly Sight Hounds, Terriers, Toys, and Non-Sporting breeds. In 1968 he became quite taken with Dandie Dinmonts when he met Nancy Mann of the very well know Woodbourne Kennel. Over time he also operated a large boarding kennel and owned and operated two grooming shops. Being a member of The Bedlington Terrier Club of America since 1959 he has had many positions within the club, including President, Director, and Show Chairman. He is also a life member of The Louisville Kennel Club and a director of The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America. As a judge he travels extensively throughout North America and has visited at least ten foreign countries. He is especially pleased with having judged Specialty Shows in nearly forty different breeds, many of the breeds several times, and considers this the best compliment one could receive. DEIRDRE MCKINNON, PEI, CANADA Deirdre started looking for a dog in 1972/73. She found a Canadian Kennel Club breeder of registered Basset Hounds in her area. The breeder of her Basset suggested that she might be interested in dog shows since his dogs were CKC champions. She took his advice and attended a show. She was intrigued and purchased her first Basset Hound in 1973 and starting showing dogs in 1974. From that point, she was hooked on the breed and dog shows. Her first litter was born in 1977. This litter produced American and Canadian champions; including 2 females that were multi specialty winners in the USA. She continues to breed and show Basset Hounds under the Corkery prefix. She has a small kennel and continues to produce quality Bassets as both show and companion pets. She continues to educate the public on the breed and responsible dog ownership. Also, her Basset Hounds are shown both in Canada and the USA with group wins in both countries. Her Bassets continue to win at specialties, Best in Show and Best Puppy in Show. Other breeds have been added to her kennel: Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinscher and a Skye Terrier. However, it is the Basset Hound that has remained a constant in her kennel. She is a life member of the Canadian Kennel Club and Basset Hound Club of Canada. Also, she is a member of the Basset Hound Club of America. She started judging at conformation shows in 1993 with her beloved hounds. She has judged Basset specialities in both Canada and USA. She enjoys judging and finding a great dog!!!! CONNIE GERSTNER MILLER, MICHIGAN, USA Connie Gerstner Miller’s fifty years in the sport of dogs began with a German Shepherd she trained the county 4-H program, which was also the first year they offered the program in her area. A few years later, Connie began Malagold Kennels in DeForest, Wisconsin, in 1962, with a breeding program that encompassed both the sporting breed of the Golden Retriever and the spirited working breed of the Alaskan Malamute - hence the formation of the Malagold moniker! Eventually, concentration on the breeding of quality Golden Retrievers became the primary drive for Connie as she truly felt that she could only do justice to one breed. She has since continued to focus her energies on the Golden Retriever through her current tenure at Malagold, which is home to multiple Best in Show and Best in Specialty Show winners, with highlights that include the winning of the Sporting Group at the AKC Centennial Dog Show (with BIS, BISS CH. Libra Malagold Coriander SDHF, OS), Best of Breed wins at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club, and three times winning Best of Breed honors at the Golden Retriever Club of America National Specialty. Connie has worked hard to build Malagold into a highly respected line of Golden Retrievers, earning her the honor of being one of five breeders nominated by “Dogs In Review” for the Breeder of the Year for 2015—a recognition for which she is so very proud. In the early 1970's, Connie was approved as a licensed All-Breed Professional Handler. This new venture, in conjunction with her successful grooming and boarding business, allowed her to broaden her participation within the dog show world. All of this led to Connie’s current interest as a licensed AKC judge for the entire Sporting Group and the Best in Show category. Connie had the privilege of judging the Regular Dog Classes at the 2002 Golden Retriever Club of America National Specialty show, and more recently judging at the National Specialty in Canada—high honors and proud moments in a career dedicated to the Golden Retriever. Connie has been involved in the training and education aspect within the dog show world from the very beginning. Connie is active in presenting Breed Education Seminars and Workshops focusing on the Golden Retriever, and has worked tirelessly as an advocate for this beautiful breed. DR. STEVEN D. HERMAN, FLORIDA, USA The sign in my office reads "Full Time Dog Man-Part Time Attorney". I started in dogs in 1980, just a couple of years after beginning my practice. Picking my first German Shorthaired Pointer puppy, at ten weeks of age, I did a pretty good job. Rommel was a top ten dog, along with being my versatile dog—doing obedience and NAVHDA. I have remained active and successful in this breed. My bitch was Best of Breed at Westminster in 2010 and she went on to be the top producing dam for 2011. Her son garnered my first All Breed Best In Show with a German Shorthaired Pointer, in 2013. He was top producing sire for 2013 and 2014. With my first Wife, I exhibited Afghan Hounds for many years. Then, I did some showing and breeding of English Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers. However, my next big venture was with Pointers. Since 1990, I have been involved with this breed. Owning and breeding many Group and Best In Show winners. Most have had their hunting titles, too. One Best In Show bitch also was the top Field Trial puppy, a previous year. Acquiring a German Wirehaired Pointer bitch in 1995, I campaigned her to the top ten. A bitch from her litter was shown by me to the top ten, three years in a row. During this time, I also owned a Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund. My experience with the three Pointer breeds led me to present a comparison seminar about them. I now judge the entire Sporting Group, Best In Show and a number of Hounds. I have officiated at the German Shorthaired and Wirehaired Pointer, Pointer Club of Canada and Golden Retriever Nationals. My Wife and I live with, show and hunt a GSP in Wesley Chapel, Florida. I co-own a number of other GSPs, that allow me to remain active in conformation, breeding, hunt tests and field trials. We collect dog art and travel to Cruft’s regularly. I have judged in Colombia, Canada and Sweden. DAVID MILLER, OHIO, USA Mr. Miller has been a dog enthusiast all his life. From an early age, his parents raised various terriers. In the early seventies while residing in France, he fixed his sights upon the dogs that he has raised for over thirtyfive years, Salukis. Under the prefix of Shandell, and coupled with the French Saluki kennel, Arab Bahari, he still occasionally breeds and shows. In addition, he has owned Afghans, Dalmatians and Italian Greyhounds. In the mid-seventies and throughout the eighties, Mr. Miller showed not only his Salukis, but dogs in several breeds for clients. In 1988, he applied to the American Kennel Club and was approved to judge Salukis. Since then, he is approved for the Hound Group, Non-Sporting Group, Brittany, Curly Coated Retrievers, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Irish Setters, English Setters, Vizslas, Weimaraners, German Shorthaired Pointers, Gordon Setters, Norfolk, Norwich Terriers, Italian Greyhounds, Pugs and Toy Poodles. He has held many offices in the Grand River Kennel Club, currently President, and is the show chairperson for their cluster weekend – The Regatta Classic. Moreover, he is the Vice-President of the Cuyahoga Valley Hound Association. Mr. Miller has officiated in the United States, Canada, Columbia, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Australia, China and South Korea. He is published in both English and French in professional educational periodicals as well as dog publications. Moreover, he has given seminars on the Saluki. He travels frequently to North Africa due to his association with sighthounds and conducts tours of Marrakech, Morocco and its surroundings. As an avid traveler, he has visited many kennels in India. Professionally, Mr. Miller is the department coordinator of World Languages for a school system in the Cleveland, Ohio metropolitan area. He has also instructed on the university undergraduate and graduate levels. Furthermore, he has been a former member of the Advisory Board of the Montreux School of Business, Montreux, Switzerland. He holds a Master's Degree in Education with a specialization in French as well as a Certificat Du Premier Degré from the Université De Strasbourg, France. He is a translator and has conferred on projects for officials at the United Nations as well as the French government in relation to indigenous canine breeds of the Sahara. At the World Dog Show in Paris 2011, he served as a translator for the Poodle World Congress. In his spare time, he is an amateur photographer whose work has been published internationally. Mr. Miller speaks French, German, Italian and English. JAMES MOSES, MISSOURI, USA James Anthony Moses was born in 1945 and has been a lifelong dog person. Although his mother was a Miniature Poodle fancier, Jim's first dog was a German Shepherd, given to him by his father for his ninth birthday. Jim finished his first champion at the age of 13 and by 19 was number one all breeds in Canada. Jim has handled dogs to over 1000 BIS. His more notable wins include the AKC Centennial show and the Westminster Kennel Club, both with Jane Firestone's Manhattan. Jim has handled four dogs in the prestigious "100 Club" including the number one male and female of all time, Ch Covy Tucker Hill's Manhattan (#1 male, #4 overall, 201 BIS) and Ch Altana's Mystique, #1 exhibit, all breeds, with 275 BIS and 30 BISS. Ch Kismet's Sight for Sore Eyes, "Dallas," and Ch Kaleef's Genuine Risk are the other dogs who attained 100 BIS. In the last decade Jim has been the Herding Group winner with several bitches with the Kaleef prefix; overall, he has won this award 17 times. He has received numerous awards over the years and was inducted into the Dog Show Hall of Fame in 1999. Jim's handling expertise has by no means been limited to German Shepherds. His National Specialty winners include Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Chinese Cresteds. He has also exhibited the number one Australian Shepherd of all time, and the number one Border Collie of all time. He has been BIS with a variety of breeds in addition to many German Shepherds; Irish Wolfhounds, a Great Dane, Samoyeds, Briards, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, several Aussies, Border Collies, a Belgian Sheepdog, a Brittany, Miniature Poodles and Afghans, to name a few. Last year he campaigned a top winning Chihuahua and several top GSDs. Jim's love of dogs and the sport has been the focus of his adult life, and he is always available to his peers as a source of advice and encouragement. He is also an avid sportsman and outdoorsman, and is enjoying balancing breeding, judging and retirement. CHRIS NEILSON, ONTARIO I acquired my first Bulldog in 1972 from Albert Farrell of Nugget Kennels. After several years I got the show bug and decided to be more selective in my selections in search of a 'show bulldog' My first 'show' bulldog was 'Reggie' from Mr Elmer Bredt and we finished him #1 in Canada as well as getting he Am/Cdn Championships. Following this success we bred Rodney around 2000 and finished #1 years in a row. Following his footsteps and successful line breeding we had 'Driver' and ' Bubba' also finishing #1. After this I concentrated more on my judging as we felt we had done more than enough in the show ring. JO ANN PAVEY, ONTARIO Jo Ann has been involved in breeding and/or exhibiting Shetland Sheepdogs and other breeds, since 1970. Her interest began with obedience. She later became a CKC Licensed All Classes obedience judge and judged obedience trials for 25 years. She has bred Shelties under the Calabar and Whitegates prefixes, enjoying many successes with them, including several Best in Show winners and Best in Specialty show winners. No longer breeding, and only occasionally exhibiting, Jo Ann decided it was the right time to pursue her conformation judges license and is now licensed for all of the Herding Group and on permit for the top half of the Sporting Group. WILLIAM SHELTON, CALIFORNIA, USA Mr. Shelton’s passion for all animals, particularly canines, and the sport of purebred dogs has extended over his life time. Managing a successful professional handling career spanning decades, his passion for the Coventry Pembroke Welsh Corgi is conspicuous by this family’s phenomenal success in our sport today, and with being designated breeder of the year in 2012. Evolving into a multiple group judge; Bill has judged around the world. He realizes his greatest satisfaction is sorting through a specialty entry, and officiating at distinctive events like this one. It will come as no surprise that Bill is an advocate for responsible breeders, their advanced education and the autonomy for breeders to continue as the lifeblood of our sport. He recognizes the importance and works at enlightening legislators and the general public to the benefits of owning a purebred dog acquired from a responsible breeder. Bill has written as a columnist, lectured for the AKC at events across this country expediting the success of both breeders and judges alike. DR. JAMES SILLERS, MICHIGAN, USA It is great honor to be judging your show. I am a veterinarian and have bred Borzoi since 1970 and have had Best in Show winners, National Specialty winners and have judged National Specialties in many countries including Russia. Many thoughts come to mind as I write this. Structural soundness takes several generations to achieve, but one can go to a rescue and find a mixed breed dog that is structurally sound. Type can be bred into a line in one generation. Under certain judges, one can win only excelling in "Type" or "Structural Soundness". But, all great dogs must have both. Therefore, for me, I describe TYPE as Style plus Structural Soundness. Looking back at my breeding program, I realize I made many mistakes. It is always easier to look back. But, when I examined what worked for me, I find it interesting, and this concept is not new to the world of genetics. I tried to breed structurally sound individuals and then outcrossed for type. Once the resulting offspring were added back into the bloodline of my kennel, there was always a jump forward in quality. Lauralei, bred back into my line, produced three daughters that ranked number one in three different countries in the same year. One daughter, "Nara", when bred back into my line, produced another top winner, Virago. (i.e. one outcross and three generations of bringing the outcross back into my line). When Virago was outcrossed, he produced several offspring that I would say were even better than himself. I had the same results earlier, when I crossed a linebred "Dana Dan" bitch to Lanel's Lobachevski to produce Damon. I find it interesting that Damon's outcrosses were better in quality than when he was linebred back into my line. Genetics are interesting and once you think you know what you are doing, she proves you are not as smart as you thought you were. However, Damon, crossed back into my line, produced Seabury's Love Life Itself. Looking back on this hobby, the wins with "Love" were my most memorable. FRANK WASHABAUGH, NEW JERSEY, USA I have owned and bred German Shorthaired Pointers for 40 years. Also I've owned, shown, and bred a litter of Wire Fox Terriers in the last 15 years. I'm a chemical engineer by training and now happily retired. My wife and I have finished over 40 German Shorthairs over the years. I judge all Sporting, Terrier, and Toy breeds as well as obedience classes. I've judged a number of Shorthaired Specialties including Intersex and Bitches at the 1994 AKC Nationals in Denver. We live in Northern Wisconsin in the summertime and in rural New Jersey the rest of the year. I'm looking forward to judging at your 2016 shows! OBEDIENCE JUDGES BONNIE CHRISTIE, ONTARIO Bonnie Christie has been a CKC Rally Obedience judge since January 2007 and had the previlege of judging the very first CKC Rally Obedience Trial which was held by the Belleville Obedience Club in March 2007. Bonnie is involved in various canine sports, including conformation, agility, obedience, and rally obedience. Her breed/teammate of choice is the American Cocker Spaniel and she has achieved numerous titles on all of her dogs in these different venues over the years. Competing has taken Bonnie and her dogs to locations throughout Canada and the U.S. Bonnie is also involved in training programs both at Companion Dog Training in Pushlinch, Ontario as well as with the Hamilton Obedience Club. ISABELLA HUTTON, ONTARIO I purchased my first dog, a happy tri sheltie named Laddie, in March 1988.1 did this after having two major back surgeries and realizing that I would not be able to return to work. Laddie opened up a whole new life for me. I went on to trial him to his utility title in Canada, Bermuda and the States. I also campaigned him in 1991 to the #10 obedience dog in Canada. I presently own two shelties, a two year sable, and a nine year old bi-black. My blue boy that I lost in October 2008 had obedience titles in Canada, Bermuda and the States, as well as his conformation championship. My biggest thrill was in October 2006 when my bi-black earned his Grand Master obedience trial championship and also placed #2 All Breed for 2006 and again with very few entries in 2007 was #4 All Breed. I met Debbie Desjardine in 1989. We became good friends and travelling companions. Our obedience trials took us to Canada, the States and Bermuda, and I have been teaching at campaign level since that time. I received my judging license in May 1997 and had the honour of being awarded the 2001 Pedigree Pal Obedience Judge of the Year SHARLENE MANDERSON, ONTARIO My first obedience dog was a St Bernard whom I trained in 1973 while living in Calgary. I put him through a couple of obedience courses taught at the local high school and then naively entered several trials in Calgary and Edmonton. We actually got our C.D. with scores in the mid "90’s"! At this point I have trained five Goldens, each with very different personalities and challenges! Contrary to rumor, Goldens are not born fully trained! Now that I am retired from teaching Special Education, I have more time for training my dogs! We have earned OTCh’s in Obedience, Rally Excellent titles, CKC Agility titles, an ATChC in AAC Agility, as well as AKC Obedience and Rally titles. To continue challenging myself as a trainer, I have just added a male Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy to my pack! We will have so much fun!! As a competitor and a judge, I would like to be known as someone who plays by the rules and is passionate about what she is doing. When judging, I try to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome in my ring. Whether the high in trial team or the nervous first time competitor, everyone deserves to be treated with respect! FRANK WASHABAUGH, NEW JERSEY, USA Refer to Mr. Washabaugh’s biography (above) in the conformation listings.
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