Introducing our National Dog Show Judges for 2018....
Hiroshi Kamisato (Japan)
All my life I have had a love of animals, especially dogs. My life-long involvement with dogs began when I entered University at 18 and I started breeding dogs. The first dog I bred from was an American Cocker Spaniel. I have bred and exhibited American Cocker Spaniels since 1962. One of my most memorable wins was with an American Cocker Spaniel that won Reserve Best In Show at the FCI Asian Section Show.
I went on to breed and exhibit Great Danes, Scottish Terriers, Maltese and Italian Greyhounds, and I am currently breeding Japanese Chin. In 1986 I received the Japan Kennel Club (JKC) Top Breeder Award, and achieved JKC Champion title with Cocker Spaniels bred in seven different colours. In 1999, at the 50th anniversary of the founding of the JKC, I was the honoured recipient of the Top Breeder Award.
In 1978, I qualified as a judge by JKC and was approved to judge American Cocker Spaniels. I qualified as an FCI and JKC All Breeds judge in 1984 and have judged at many shows including FCI International Dog Shows throughout Japan. <
I have judged at many FCI World Dog Shows – in Moscow 2016, the Royal Melbourne four times, AKC National Championship Show and The World Challenge. I have judged for major shows in more than 30 different countries.
I have been a member of JKC since 1987. I served as a Secretary-General and Executive Director for 19 years until May 2006. I have also served as a member of the executive committee of the Asian section for the FCI.
I have helped arrange for FCI recognition of the Thai Ridgeback Dog, Korean Zindo Dog and Taiwan Dog. I also assisted in the category division between the Akita and the American Akita. I assisted in the training of young judges for both the JKC and the Asian Kennel Union, which was a great honour and one of the most memorable moments of my lifetime.
At this stage of my life, my greatest wish is to be able to judge overseas whenever I have an opportunity, and I would like to share such great moments and exchange ideas within the international dog profession. I would like to devote my time to write about the introduction of local breeds throughout Asia as well as the history of the Japanese Chin and also an encyclopaedia of dog breeding.
Dirk Spruyt (Belgium)
I have been a judge since 1999 and have bred Griffons Bruxellois and Belgian Shepherds.
I am approved to judge all breeds in the FCI groups 1, 2, 9, 10 and Best in Show.
I have already judged at many International shows and breed specialties all over Europe, also in Israel, the USA and Australia.
Due to my extensive judging abroad, I have stopped breeding as I do not have the time now.
I still have dogs at home, three Tervuren males and one smooth Griffon all international and/or world champions. I also like to work with my Belgian Shepherds (Obedience, bite work and tracking).
Besides judging I am also involved in different Belgian committees, Chairman of section three of the Belgian Kennel Club, Chairman of the judges’ qualification committee and Vice-President of the VDA, responsible for all the dog clubs in Belgium. So you could say that I’m a real dog person.
I am looking forward to my judging appointment in New Zealand and would already like to thank the organisers for making this possible.
Frances Smith (Argentina)
I have been an FCA and FCI All Breeds Judge since 2004.
I am Director of the FCA National Genealogical Registry since 2000.
Founding member of the Yorkshire Terrier Club Argentina, I have also held the position of President for this club in the past.
I am the breeder and owner of “Francesca” Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, Basset Hounds, Scottish Terriers, Bichon Frise and also breeder and owner of“Von Der Hall II” Dachshunds and “Las Heras” Yorkshire Terriers.
I am a breed specialist for Yorkshire Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Old English Sheepdog, Chihuahua (smooth and long coat), Dalmatian, Siberian Husky, Kuvaszok, Great Dane, Giant Schnauzer, Standard Schnauzer, Miniature Schnauzer, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Afghan Hound, Fox Terrier Smooth, Fox Terrier Wire, Dachshunds (all varieties), American Cocker Spaniel, German Shorthaired Pointer and Poodle (all varieties).
I am the lecturer in charge of breeders and new judges studying cynology in the FCI Groups for the FCA Argentina, KCU Uruguay, ACC Colombia, KCB Bolivia Cochabamba and KCC Chile. I am also the Professor in charge of future Breed Specialist Judges training at the many breed and specialist clubs.
I have been a guest speaker at the “Introduction to Cynology for Future Veterinarians", Buenos Aires. (2007–2014) and at the at the Americas and the Caribbean Congress, Buenos Aires (2004).
I am a published author of many publications, including Curso de Cinofilia General (1985), Manual Ilustrado de Cinología (2011. Translation into English of the book El Cachorro Dogo Argentino by Dr. Victor Valino (2002), Cynology Videos for the FCA Cynology Course and numerous articles.
I have also worked as an English-Spanish Translator for several firms.
Lesley Chalmers (Kaiapoi)
As a child I was not allowed a dog so the first thing I did in 1969 when I left home was to buy a puppy! It was a Pembroke Corgi and, with one deviation when I owned and exhibited a Norfolk Terrier, Corgis have been my lifelong love and passion.In 1975 I bred my first litter – if you can call a singleton a litter. My second attempt at breeding was a bit more inspiring and produced an All Breeds BIS winner and two champions. There are now over 70 Merthyr champions in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Portugal, Thailand, USA, Poland, Philippines and Canada. But of particular pride is the Merthyr Supreme Champion in Australia and the Merthyr Grand Champions in USA and Canada. In New Zealand, I bred and exhibited the first NZ Supreme Champion (All Breeds) and I am exceptionally proud of the four generations of Merthyr Grand Champions (with the fifth generation almost there and the sixth also on the way!
I awarded my first challenge certificates in1984 and since then I have had the absolute honour of judging in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Thailand, Russia, United Kingdom, USA, as well as Corgi breed specialty shows in the United Kingdom, USA, Australia, Czech Republic, Estonia, South Africa, Finland and of course in New Zealand. I am licenced to judge All Breeds by Dogs New Zealand and am now also approved by the Amercian Kennel Club (AKC) to award points in all breeds as well as by The Kennel Club (UK) to award CCs to Pembroke Corgis, Pugs and Basenjis.
Rosemary Cleator (Levin)
I first started competing in 1963, with German Shepherds which I have worked in obedience, working trials and agility, with the odd foray into the breed ring, and more recently also in Rally-O. Most of these have been dogs I have bred myself under the kennel name Sarelle. I have made up four breed champions, four dogs to ADX and one ADX GOLD, eight Obedience Champions, three Grand Obedience Champions, one Rally-O Champion and 10 Working Trial Champions, including New Zealand’s first Working Trial Champion, and New Zealand’s first triple Champion German Shepherd. I am currently working three Sarelle German Shepherds – Jarrah and Nettle in Test C, and Jarrah’s daughter Pryde in Novice. They also compete in Rally-O.
I have been heavily involved with the administration side of dog clubs and the NZKC (now Dogs New Zealand) and over the years have been President and secretary of a number of clubs. I was made a Life Member of NZKC in 2005. I am the current Chairperson of the Canine Good Citizen Committee.
I first commenced judging in 1967, and have been on the Obedience Test C and the Working Trial panels since 1973. I am now the longest serving Obedience judge on the panel. I was one of the original Agility judges, but retired from that panel some years ago. I was involved in the very first NDOA and have only missed one since that time. I have judged at several NDOAs and National Dog Shows in the past and look forward to my involvement with this year’s National Dog Show.
Sheelah Stevens (Waikanae)
Thank you for inviting me to judge at this year’s National Dog Show.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to see dogs having fun and showing their paces.I have been involved in a range of dog sports for 35 years, including Agility, Flygility, Rally-O, Water Trials, Carting and Nosework. Pepsi is my daughter’s dog and he began his career as an Agility dog, achieving his ADX and JDX. He has been competing in Rally-O for seven years and has attained RA. I love training and competing dogs, and am thrilled when they have success, but at the end of the day I believe the most important thing is to enjoy them.
Lynda Loader (Albany)
I am delighted to be judging at the National this year. My journey into the sport of competitive Obedience began in 1995. I am a life member of North Shore Dog Training Club, supporting the club on committee and instructing. A short stroll down memory lane starts with an Australian Terrier, GR OB CH & CH Lester Tizz A Tart CDX (KD to her mates). KD took me from Special Beginners to the dizzy heights of Grand Obedience Champion. She was the little dog that made everyone smile. GR OB CH Castaways Just A Hussy CDX was next. Justi was a super competition dog, winning the Test C Rudi Kraus Trophy at five consecutive NDOAs. OB CH Rimrock Ultimate Guyzar CDX, my Australian Shepherd won it again the following year. I’m currently competing with OB CH Ticotonic Fancee A Floosie. Fancee is a sweet dog, who usually has a tiny Pom X called DD attached to her tail.I’ve always enjoyed judging and love seeing a handler and dog combination working well together. Many, many hours of training go into our dogs and competing has its ups and downs, but when it all comes together on that one day... it is a magic feeling. I hope you all enjoy your day at the National Dog Show and I wish you all the best.
June Rippon (Upper Hutt)
I have over the years been an active member within Obedience clubs at all levels and went on to the Obedience Judges Panel in 1995. I wanted to give something back to the sport that I love.
Currently I have three Border Collies, which keep me pretty busy. I have always owned and worked Border Collies. However, I really enjoy seeing all different breeds performing in the obedience rings. I have had some fun times training them to do Agility and Heelwork to Music as well.
I have worked on the Organising Committee for the National Dog Show as Assistant Obedience Manager and Obedience Manager for a few years and thoroughly enjoyed working with the teams dedicated to putting such a huge event together.
The National Dog Show is one of the events which when competing at is very special and I have enjoyed the years when I have competed and watched my fellow competitors also. It is like no other show on the calendar.
Every time I judge, no matter what test it may be, I am always waiting for the dog/handler team that will come in the ring, perform really well and bring a smile to my face. I have seen some amazing teams over the years.
I have been asked to be the Reserve Judge for all tests, which will mean that I will have to be prepared, but may not get the opportunity to judge. In saying that, I would like to wish all competitors the very best of luck and I will enjoy watching your rounds. Enjoy!