I have been involved in working terriers at an early age then got interested in dog showing 56 years ago this year. My first breed was Staffordshire bull terriers where I made up two champions I have also won CCs and RCC in border terriers, Miniature Bull terriers and I have bred a Welsh terrier cc winner. I have many stud book numbers in a few terrier breeds. I am passed for CCs in 11 terrier breeds and the Terrier group. I have been lucky to judge in Australia, New Zealand, America and a lot in Europe I’m an assessor observer and mentor for 4 breeds. I am a life president of two clubs and a show manager for another and on a few committees also. It has been a honour to be asked to award my first set of CCs in Cairn terriers and Scottish Terriers, at Birmingham City I’m also doing Irish Terriers without CCs and the import register and AVNSC Terrier classes.

I started judging in 1993, firstly just gundogs but after I bought my first Leonberger in 2004 I began judging breeds in the Working and Pastoral groups. I awarded my first set of CCs in 2010 and I am now approved to award CC’s in 30 breeds across the Working Pastoral and Gundog groups. I am also approved to judge both the Working and Pastoral Group at Championship show level. I have been lucky enough to judge in such places as Latvia, Holland and in Russia where I judged many of the popular breeds in groups 1,2,7 and 8 plus some more unusual ones! In July I will be making the journey over to Sweden with several other UK judges to officiate at the Tvaaker International show which I am looking forward to enormously. Showing wise, my heart lies firmly with the Leonbergers and to date I have made up 6 champions and owned several other CC winning dogs but the highlight of my career in dogs so far has to be judging my breed at Crufts this year, what a fabulous experience that was, definitely a day to remember. I have been an exhibitor at City of Birmingham for over 30 years so it will make a very pleasant change to be standing in the centre of the ring and awarding my second set of CCs in PMD, my 3rd set in GSD and to be judging my 3rd Working group. I am incredibly grateful to the society for their kind invitation to take part in what I’m sure will be a wonderful day.

Introducing our judge for Wirehaired Dachshund Colette Perkins awarding CCs for the first time in the breed. I started showing dogs as a child, when I handled Basenjis amongst other breeds. I got my first pet Whippet when I was about 6 years old and I have owned and shown them ever since. I started judging in 1992 but decided at the time that I preferred to show my dogs. As my husband Roger showed Gundogs, we continued to show WSS and Hungarian Vizsla’s. We then began showing Pointers, making up three generations of Show Champions. However, my main focus has always been the Whippets. We have been successful in making up numerous Champions, either bred by ourselves or by other successful show kennels. I recently formed a partnership with the Crème Anglaise’s kennel in the Netherlands and have continued with the successful run. I am currently enjoying campaigning a young bitch, owned in partnership, who has exceeded all our expectations. I am passed to award CC’s in Whippets, Dachshunds, Pointers, Hungarian Vizsla’s and Welsh Springer Spaniel’s. I also believe in giving back to our hobby. I am Secretary of SYWC as well as Secretary, Treasurer and committee member on three other societies. Alongside this, I run my own business offering Canine fertility and scanning services. I am a mentor for Whippets as well as a Breed Speaker for Breed Appreciation Days. I am very much looking forward to my first appointment judging Wire Haired Dachshunds and I am honoured to have been asked to judge at this prestigious show.

Awarding CCs in Vizsla for the first time at our show is Mr Colin Woodward I started exhibiting my wife’s English Springers in 1975 with reasonable success, our first one made up was Sh Ch Barlochan Engineer in 1979. Our foundation Bitch came from the the Feorlig Kennel. Several Show Champions followed under my wife’s Affix Wadeson, including the current Breed Record holder Sh Ch Wadeson Inspector Wexford. I started judging at Open show level late 70’s leading to ESS at Driffield Championship Show in the mid 80’s. I now award CC’s in 25 breeds plus the Gundog group, also judged overseas on several occasions. I am a Committee Member of Driffield Championship show and also Chairman at Pollard Canine society. I have a keen interest in all breeds of dog

Meet our judge for our Veteran and Junior stakes Mr David Shields. David will also be judging – West Highland White Terriers and Curly Coated Retrievers. David first started showing in 1971 and over the years has had great success with Cocker Spaniels, his first breed, Border Terriers and German Shorthaired Pointers, breeding and showing champions in all three breeds. His first judging appointment was in 1978 and awarded his first set of CC’s in Cocker Spaniels in 1987. He now awards CC’s to 51 breeds across three Groups as well as both the Gundog and Terrier Groups at Championship Show level. David will have the great honour of judging the Terrier Group at Crufts in 2028. He will also be doing his first Championship Show BIS this summer at the Welsh Kennel Club. His judging has taken him to numerous countries across Europe as well as further afield and has included the World Dog Show in Milan in 2015 and he will be officiating both at the World Dog Show and European Dog Show next year. David over the years has been involved in supporting new judges, giving breed presentations in his first love, Cocker Spaniels, as part of the old JDP and now the JEP as well doing seminars on Cockers in a number of European countries. He is also now a mentor for a number of Gundog and Terrier breeds. David also finds time to be the Show Manager for both Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland and for the Scottish Breeds Canine Club

Meet our judge for this years puppy groups Mr Derek Smith, Derek is also judging Boxers & Havanese, Derek commenced judging in the 1960’s being approved to award CC’s in his own breed, Rough Collies in 1970 and has bred many Champions and top winners.Derek also bred and showed Long Haired Dachshunds in partnership with Wndy Barrow making up many Champions including the bitch CC record holder, a record that still stands to this day. Derek awards CC’s in 4 Groups and judges the Working, Pastoral and Utility Groups together with Best in Show and is proud to have judged all these groups at Crufts, including Best in Show in 2016. Derek has judged in almost every country throughout the world where shows are held. This appointment will be the 11th occasion judging All Puppy Groups and is looking forward with great anticipation to the show.

We are looking forwards to welcoming Dr Donald Sturz (USA) to our judging panel this year. Donald will be judging Bouvier Des Flandres, Dogue De Bordeaux, AV Working NSC, AV imported register breeds (Working), Welsh Corgi (Pembroke), AV Pastoral NSC, AV imported register(Pastoral), Afghan Hounds, Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier (miniature), Standard Poodles & Golden Retrievers. Dr. Donald Sturz began participating in the sport of dogs as a child and was ranked as the number one Junior Handler in the U.S. for three consecutive years. Dr. Sturz has bred, owned, and handled All-Breed and Specialty Best in Show winners and nationally ranked dogs in a variety of breeds, most notably Golden Retrievers and Poodles. Dr. Sturz began judging in 1990 and has adjudicated at major all-breed and specialty shows worldwide, including ten times at the Westminster Kennel Club show and Best in Show at Westminster in 2022. In 2020, he was voted Judge of the Year at the Purina Pro Plan® Show Dogs of the Year awards ceremony. Although having judged internationally for decades, this will be Dr. Sturz’s first assignment in England. He considers this a significant honor and one he looks forward to with great anticipation as he will be adjudicating breeds with which he has a personal history and connection. This combined with his admiration for the quality of these breeds in England makes for a highly anticipated milestone in his judging career. Dr. Sturz currently serves as the President of the Westminster Kennel Club. He is a member of the Westchester Kennel Club, the Poodle Club of America, the Bull Terrier Club of America, and the Pekingese Club of America.

Meet our breed specialist Judge for Whippet (Males) Editha Newton (Nevedith) I grew up surrounded by various pedigree dogs and handled a Borzoi from the age of 4 in junior handling classes. In 1969 I was gifted Ch Akeferry Jimmy for my very own! I have made up 44 English champions , Nutshell (the breed record holder) being the most famous. I owned and handled the first Basset Fauve de Bretagne to win a group at Championship show level and have bred 8 Hungarian Vizsla Show Champions. I started judging in 1978, my 1st set of CC’s was in 1988 at Scottish Kennel Club, I judged Whippet bitches at Crufts in 2008 and now I award CC’s to 9 Hound breeds and have judged the group at Championship level 5 times. I also award CC’s to 6 Gundog breeds I have served as a committee member on South Yorkshire Whippet Club for 40 years in various positions, I am the Breed Education Coordinator for Whippets in the UK and I have just taken on the role as secretary for the National Gundog Association, a Gundog Group Championship show.

Introducing our judge for Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Samoyed, Chihuahua ( long & smooth coat) & Yorkshire Terriers. Mr Jeff Horswell Jeff has been going to dog shows from an early age. It all started when his mother (Ann Foxwell) decided that a Great Dane was the ideal breed for a family pet, and they then decided to go along to a local show. A ‘show’ Dane followed and the Auldmoor Great Dane kennel has gone on to produce a steady stream of Champions, both in the UK and around the world. Jeff decided to have Miniature Wire Dachshunds as his own breed. 23 Min Wire Champions have been made up by him, including 3 Crufts BOB winners and 4 group winners. Jeff has always had an interest in many breeds and has also made up a Greyhound Champion and 2 Field Spaniel Show Champions, along with winning Reserve CCs with a Basenji and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. He currently shares his home with Champion Whippets. Jeff first judged in 1982, and first awarded CCs in 1989. He judged Min Wires at Crufts in 2000, and many breeds since then. Jeff is approved to award CCs in over 170 breeds across all 7 UK groups. He judged Best in Show at Crufts in 2017 and has judged the Hound and Pastoral Groups at Crufts. Jeff is the only UK judge approved to judge ALL breeds. Jeff has judged many parts of the world including Croatia, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Russia, Australia, Estonia, Latvia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland, Romania, Ireland, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Colombia, India, South Africa, Trinidad & Barbados.

Introducing our judge for Irish Water Spaniel, Clumber Spaniel & Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla Mr Keith Groom. I have been involved in Gundogs for 45 years (1981). My first judging appointment was in 1987 (Open Level), I had judged all breeds (Gundogs) at Open Level plus 20 Open show Gundog groups. 8 all breed BIS (Open Level) plus 8 Gundog breed Club Show BIS. First CC appointment 1991 passed to award CC’s in 7 breeds plus the Gundog group at Championship show level. I have also judged twice at Crufts.

Meet our Hound Group judge Mr Keith Thornton. Keith is also judging Norwegian Elkhounds, Sloughi and Ibizan Hound Mr Keith Thornton ( Karnak) I handled my first dog a rough collie age 12yrs old, we won 2 first prizes and best of breed. I left school at 15 and went to work at Belle Vue greyhound, track 2 years later Brenda started work there as a kennel girl and we married in 1964. We went as private trainers in 1970 and we had lots of good winners. My judging was taking off and I have been lucky to judge all over the world. I am immensely looking forward to this exciting appointment at the city of Birmingham. This is the 24th time i have judged the hound group in the UK my first group was in 1986 and my winner the elkhound went res best in show.

Introducing our judge for Australian Silky Terriers, AV Toy NSC & AV Imported Register breeds (Toy) Mea Kendall (Headra) I started the Headra Affix 40 years ago with my mother, who had Cavaliers from the early 1960’s. I had a childhood of dogs and horses, Pony Club, Eventing and Hunting with the Worcesters puppy walking the hounds. As I left school it became harder to keep the horses so my love for 4 legged creatures progressed more into dogs and especially Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The first Cavalier I purchased back in 1986 was Pendro Charlene, but in 1996 I went to visit Di Fry at Amantra Kennels and fell in love with a very stroppy King Charles Spaniel. This is the breed I live with today but still hold a great love for Cavaliers and many other toys. I first started judging back in 1996. I adore all toy breeds and consider myself to be a Toy Breed specialist. I award CC’s in 12 breeds in the Toy Group and have judged all over the world from Australia, America, Denmark, and Czech Republic. Toy dogs are my great passion and 5 years after being awarded top honours in the Toy Group with my KCS I had the greatest honour of Judging my first group at SKC September 2023 I am treasurer of 2 Toy Breed Clubs and also treasurer for an all breed open show. I recently joined the committee of LKA and I am a member of the Kennel Club.

Meet our judge for Pugs Mr Michael Gadsby. ”AFTERGLOW” was registered over 40 years ago and produced a Champion and group winner in the second recorded litter. There have now been over 160 British champions owned and/or bred across 22 different breeds. Included are 17 different BIS winners in 5 different breeds. Breeder of 2 Crufts BIS and 2 Crufts RBIS winners in 2 breeds. On 4 occasions the kennel has produced. Top Dog All Breeds. Michael judges breeds across 5 groups and judges 4 groups and BIS. Michael is looking forward to judging at City of Birmingham, one of his favourite shows in the calendar.

Meet our judge for English Toy Terrier awarding her first set of CCs in this breed is Jacqui Ward. I have been involved in dogs for most of my life, as a child my Father bred racing Greyhounds. Before being involved in the show world, I owned and worked Labradors. It was at a Game Fair in 1979 that I first saw a Weimaraner and was determined to own one . In 1982 me and my husband bought a Weimaraner male, and my husband had a go at showing him, he did very well winning 28 Challenge Certificates including BOB at Crufts in 1984 where he won his way into the last 4 in the Gundog Group. My husband stopped showing, so I took over, and to date I have made up 12 of our own dogs winning in excess of 90 CC’s. I have also handled and made up a further 9 Gunalt Champions and also a GSP champion bringing the total number of Champions to 21 and in excess of 220 Challenge Certificates. I judged my first set of CC’s for Weimaraner’s in 1992 and I am now passed to judge CC’s in all of the gundog group. I am also passed to award CC’s in 3 Terrier breeds. I have judged in numerous countries around the world. I currently serve on the committee of a Premier Open Show and also on The North of England Weimaraner Society. I am looking forward to judging English Toy Terriers this year and thank the committee of City of Birmingham Championship Show for inviting me.

Introducing our judge for Junior Handling Association, YKC Member stakes & Good Citizens Scheme classes across all 4 days Mrs Jacquie Hurley. Few are as well qualified to judge the handlers and exhibitors of the future as Jacquie and we are pleased that she will be joining us this year. Jacquie has been involved in dogs for over 40 years, in Bedlingtons and Poodles for which she awards CCs and has judged in the UK and Worldwide. Jacquie has to be one of the UKs best placed handling judges with 35 years of training Juniors and Seniors in the Skills of the Show Ring with 4 of the 12 National Pedigree Petfoods finalists at the UK Final one year from her Jersey Junior Handlers Association. They ran tours to the UK and Europe with up to 100 Show Handlers and their dogs. Jacquie’s own 2 children have won many National & International Titles[representing the UK at Crufts in the International Show Handling World Final] and International Championships. Jacquie was founder of the Jersey Junior Handlers Association in 1980 Founder of the UK Dog Handlers Association in 1993 Founder and organiser of the first ‘all discipline,’ Show Handling, Obedience Handling, Agility Handling and Grooming Event in Jersey. This was an annual, seven day event with Handling Entries from the UK and many other Countries as far away as Japan, Hong Kong, Malta and Europe. They were ‘entertained’ with competitions and evening events for the whole week and developed lasting friendships within the Dog World. Organiser of the ‘all age-group, annual Grooming Competition for 15 years in Jersey, Channel Isles, UK. Competition in basic skin, coat and body care for the under 10 years and all trimming/coat preparations for over 10 years and Seniors. Individual and Team Awards Presented to winners and certificates and critiques to all competitors. Events Judged by three International/UK Grooming and Show Judges each year. Grooming Judge of the National/International Grooming Competition in the UK Founder and organiser of the UK Dog Handlers Association Show Handling Weekend attracting entrants from abroad and as far as Japan and Hong Kong for Competition, Medal Awards and Seminars. Jacquie is also the author of a Book and a DVD. Kennel Club [UK] Member. Presenter and content production of The Bedlington Breed Standard Film for the KC Judges Development Programme. The Founder of the Medal Awards Scheme which, like those in Ballet and Music, progresses the candidates through the skills of the Show Ring in a logical ‘stage by stage’ pathway. The scheme has assessments and rewards at each stage to ensure a structured development programme. Also the same for the Agility and Obedience Sections. Show Handling Judging, Training & Dog Breed Standard Seminars throughout the World. Outside the dog world Jacquie has many interests. Her career was as an Educational Advisor for the Education Authority in the UK and she was an External Tutor/Examiner for Birmingham University. Jacquie also held Office in several Educational Associations.

Meet our judge for Irish Red & White Setters, Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling) Nicola Spencer. “As a child I used to ‘borrow’ dogs of neighbours to satisfy my want to have one of my own; I can’t remember a time I wasn’t mad about dogs. Well over 40 years ago, as a very young Junior Handler, with the family Irish Setters being just a little too big for me at that point, I would handle Whippets and Cocker Spaniels which as I grew quickly expanded to the Setters as well as to other breeds such as Pointers and German Shepherds amongst others. Whilst I was still at school I helped with training at a local ringcraft which continued to fuel my interest in appreciating and getting to grips with the nuances of so many other breeds and I judged my first Limited Show BIS in my very late teens. I am a partner in our Bannonbrig affix, which was established in 1982, around which time I began my involvement with Spinoni during their re-introduction as a ‘new’ breed to the UK. I have exhibited and bred many Champions and our kennel has won the Top Breeder title numerous times in both the UK and Ireland with Champions and major award winners in the UK, Finland, the USA, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands and South Africa. I had my first show Dachshund in 1994 and currently show Miniature Smooth Haireds as well as our Multi Champion Jack Russell Terrier. I commenced judging in the late 1980’s, first CCs in 2000, and am passed to award CC’s in breeds across several Groups, the majority in Hounds and Gundogs. I have judged at Crufts and at Breed Club Nationals in the UK, USA and Italy. Though primarily a Sporting Breed Specialist, having judged thousands of dogs across the Gundog, Hound and Terrier Groups, I maintain a keen interest in all breeds and to date have passed judging assessments for many breeds across all groups. Judges Education is a passion of mine; I am a mentor, assessor and breed seminar presenter for the Spinone and the Jack Russell Terrier and have given seminars for various Kennel Club and societies around the world. I serve on several breed committees, being a Founder Member of both The Italian Spinone Club of Great Britain and The Jack Russell Terrier Club, as well as my local Canine Society in Wigan. I am delighted to have the opportunity to judge these breeds without CCs for the first time at City of Birmingham.”

Introducing our judge for this years BEST IN SHOW & BEST PUPPY IN SHOW. Mr Paul Wilkinson Paul has been involved in Pedigree Dogs, for all of his life. Following in his Father’s footsteps, Paul is a Stafford Man, but has a very keen interest in many breeds and besides awarding CC’s to every breed in the Terrier Group, he is approved for Whippets and French Bulldogs. He has judged the Terrier Group on 16 occasions including Crufts. In 1995 Paul handled the Reserve Best In Show Winner, the same year he won Challenge Certificates in Seven Breeds at the same show, a remarkable record. Paul started his judging career at local Sanction and Limit shows around the Midlands in the 1970’s, learning his trade on some top class youngsters, which in those days was the training ground for dogs and judges alike. Progressing to Championship Shows, Paul has judged in 40 different countries across the world, regarded as one of the countries most knowledgeable judges. Paul is always willing to learn and share his knowledge, and can be seen on most weekends at shows around the Midlands and afar. A local Lad, with a worldwide reputation, we are honoured to have Paul Wilkinson as our Best In Show Judge for 2025.

Introducing our judge for Australian Shepherds & Beauceron. Penny Roberts – Archaeus Penny will be awarding her first set of CCs in Australian Shepherds at this year’s City of Birmingham show. She has shown a keen interest in the breed for many years and stewarded at the very first NASA championship show – the crystal goblet she received on that day is still on show in her ‘memories’ corner. She awarded CCs for the very first time, in Samoyeds (a breed she has had for more than 30 years), in 2011 and is now passed for 7 breeds – mainly spitz/herding related. In her first breed, the Samoyed, she has judged in the UK and Europe as well as in Australia and New Zealand. She has made up several champions, including the most well-known, Striker, who was piloted to Crufts group four by his very talented junior handler. She now owns two Samoyeds in partnership, but concentrates on judging the breeds she loves, mentoring, stewarding and generally trying to give back to the hobby that has provided such joy over the years. Penny says, “I try always to find the magic place where form and function meet. Nothing pleases the eye more than a dog that meets the standard, but when that dog moves in a breed appropriate way, the judge’s joy is complete! I am so grateful to City of Birmingham for this wonderful opportunity, and I am looking forward to getting my hands on some lovely dogs.”

Introducing this years judge for the Breeders stakes across all 4 days Mr Richard Kinsey. Richard is also judging Hovawart, Russian Black Terrier, St Bernard, Old English Sheepdogs, Canaan Dogs & Eurasier. I have owned dogs for most of my life having had Whippets as a child although not for showing. As a teenager sport played a major part in my life as I played semi- professional football & hold a Black Belt Tae-Kwon-Do and also instructed until 1980 when an injury put paid to both sports & that is when I started showing dogs. My first breed was Rottweiler in 1982 & then in the late 90’s I bought a Leonberger as they then came into the Working group from the Utility group. I have owned and bred UK Champions in Leonbergers I have been lucky enough to have judged many times in Latvia, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russia, Norway, Sri Lanka, Malta & judged Leonberger club shows in Belgium, Russia, & Sweden I am currently an assessor / evaluator / mentor for several working & pastoral breeds so a firm believer in education of judges. I have served on several open show committees and breed club committees over the last 30 years and now serve on Driffield CH Show committee I am passed to award CC’s in 40 breeds across 5 groups plus the Working group and Pastoral group and BIS.

Introducing our judge for Pointers gundog specialist Mr Richard Stafford. I bought my first show dog a Labrador in 1978, I have shown ever since having had all three colours in the ring. I am lucky enough to have won well with my Labradors making up several champions and taking them to the top spot in the UK. A Labrador I co own and bred has won BOB at Westminster Show in the USA 2019. I have won Top Labrador in UK 2010 (joint) ,2011, 2012 & 2014. In 2018, I had the pleasure to judge Labrador Dogs at Crufts with a record entry. I started judging in 1980 I award Challenge Certificates in eighteen gundog breeds and judge the Gundog Group. In the 90’s I owned and showed three Sussex Spaniels, along with a Clumber Spaniel. I have had and shown other breeds and have been fortunate to make several champions in these breeds as well, Weimaraners, Top 2012, Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas Top 2014 I have been fortunate to judge all over the world. I am currently Chairman of The Welsh Kennel Club and Secretary of The Gundog Society of Wales I have been Chairman of the Labrador Retriever Club, Chairman of The Labrador Club of Wales, Chairman of the Labrador Retriever Breed Council. I look forward to this appointment and meeting you all. Richard Stafford Farnfield

Meet our judge for Weimaraner, AVNSC Gundog and Imported Register Gundog. Mrs Sue Harris I started judging back in 1984 and awarded my first set of CCs in GSPs, my chosen breed in 1995. Since then I’ve been passed to award CCs in a further 4 gundog breeds GWPs, Weimaraners, Hungarian Vizslas and Pointers, all of whom I have particular interest in. I have always enjoyed judging however it’s not something I get to do too often, so when I do I always approach my entry with a fresh look. At heart I am a breeder/exhibitor of GSPs and am proud to have had an almost unbroken 20 years plus of being awarded Top Breeder, notching up well over 500 CCs with 54 Title holders, having bred and owned the Breed Record holder with 47ccs and Male breed record holder with 36Ccs as well as 8 separate Group winners. We are fortunate to have also been involved in working our dogs and are proud to have achieved Full Champion status for a number of our own dogs as well as having bred several more for other breed enthusiasts. Away from showing and working our dogs I enjoy watercolour painting, particularly dogs. I am greatly looking forward to judging look forward to getting my hands on some cracking gundogs!

Meet our judge for Dobermann and Siberian Husky. Mr Tan Negrecha Tan is passed to judge Best in Show along with both the Working and Pastoral groups. He awards CC’s in over 20 breeds in the Working, Pastoral and Terrier groups. He has made up Champions in St Bernard’s, Rough collies, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Tibetan Mastiff, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier. He bred the first UK Jack Russell Terrier to win a CC with the new allocation of CC status for the breed. Tan has won approximately 75 groups at Championship Shows with six breeds – St Bernard’s with 20 different group winners, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Rough collie, Norwich Terrier, Tibetan Mastiff, Jack Russell Terrier. He has won the coveted Championship Best in Show with 4 different breeds! Tan looks forward to his appointment at City of Birmingham, one of his favourite shows on the circuit.

Meet our judge for our Junior Groups, Best Junior in Show & Dandie Dinmont Terriers Mr Tom Mather Tom started showing dogs as a schoolboy in the 1960’s when he joined the Roby and District Alsatian Training Club. He quickly became a regular exhibitor at every local dog show with his Cocker Spaniel and carried on working in competitive obedience. Tom and his sister Sara bought their first Bichon in 1975 from Pauline Block and they were amongst the very first exhibitors of Bichon Frise in the U.K., their dogs won many awards in the days before the breed was granted championship status by the Kennel Club. His first Japanese Chin, bought as a puppy, won 16 Challenge Certificates and in her only litter he bred the tiny red and white Champion Barklots Tiger Lily. Tom’s friendship with Pamela Cross Stern and Brian Conn led to him showing many of the Sternroc Japanese Chins and Bouvier Des Flandres with some degree of success. Tom judged at his first Championship Show in 1978 and has previously been approved to award Challenge Certificates to over eighty breeds, all seven groups and Best in Show. In 1999 he accepted an invitation from Miss Sybil Churchill to join the Crufts Committee and was honoured to be elected Chairman of the Crufts Committee in 2018. Co-author with Pamela Cross Stern of the Complete Japanese Chin, Tom is the Honorary Secretary of the United Kingdom Toydog Society and a board member of the Royal Kennel Club. Tom has recently retired after 21 years with Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Meet our Irish Wolfhound Judge awarding CCs in the breed for the first time. Wendy Heather Owner of the Whiteorchard Affix and recent custodian for Ravensbeech Affix. My first Irish Wolfhound and foundation bitch was bred by the late Jan Pain, Ravensbeech, in 2007. I was lucky to not only have acquired a beautifully bred hound, but a best friend in Jan Pain who shared her knowledge with me. Myself and Jan recently enjoyed success with Miniature Long Dachshunds together as joint owners of the Ravensbeech affix. In my short time with the breed I have made up 7 champions, 6 home bred and 1 bred by Jan Pain. I am very proud that more recently 4 of the champions come from the same litter, which between them hold 20CC’s & 8 BOB’s, this was last achieved by John & Pam Sumner in the early 1990’s. This is my first CC appointment and I am very much looking forward it. Thank you to City of Birmingham for inviting me.