Interview With Carl Gene Liepmann: 2025 AKC National Championship Herding Group Judge

Interview With Carl Gene Liepmann: 2025 AKC National Championship Herding Group Judge

1. Can you describe your reaction to receiving an invitation to judge the Herding Group at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin?

Carl Gene Liepmann: I have had the honor of judging at the AKC National Championship many times, and each time I receive an offer it is exciting and one that I look forward to completing.

2. What does it mean to judge a Group at the only all-breed show organized directly by the American Kennel Club?

Carl Gene Liepmann: To me, it signifies two things: one, that my past performance has been well received; and two, that I can be depended upon to do the job with honesty and credibility.

3. In your opinion, how does this show differ from other AKC events?

Carl Gene Liepmann: It is the epitome of our sport, and the site is amazing both for its size and location.

4. What were you thinking or feeling moments before you stepped into the center of the Group ring?

Carl Gene Liepmann: I kept reminding myself that I have judged literally hundreds of Groups, so just relax and proceed. Never mind that it is in front of an audience of your peers and will be seen by millions in the coming weeks. Well, maybe I tried to put that in the back of my mind. Also, please don’t trip on the way out.

5. Was there a heightened energy coming from the dog-and-handler teams? Did you feel any excitement from the spectators?

Carl Gene Liepmann: I spoke to each exhibitor saying, “How are you this evening?” and the responses were filled with the type of energy one would expect for the time and place. The audience was amazing, cheering for their favorites and still applauding for all the entries.

6. How challenging was this assignment? Can you share your selection process?

Carl Gene Liepmann: As I said in my short speech right before my final selection: “Judging great dogs is both fun and challenging”—and I was looking at a lot of great dogs. I am sure that those not in our game, who watch the selection process on television, will wonder how you can compare one to another. I hope that those who broadcast this show will explain that it is not like apples to oranges but more like which apple is the closest to a perfect apple. In other words, which dog is the closest to perfection as described by the Standard of the breed.

7. Do you have a word or two about your Group winner? About the dogs that placed?

Carl Gene Liepmann: All of my four placements were great examples of their Breed Standard and each had that little something that brought them to the front of the line. Each was presented to perfection both underway and stacked. Only one can receive the blue ribbon, and the Old English Sheepdog, while pushed hard by the other three, stood out just enough to be rewarded. To me, he is “the Standard.”

8. Are there specific ways in which this show furthers the cause of purebred dogs?

Carl Gene Liepmann: There is no other place where, both live and on TV, people can see the numbers of dogs in each breed. Hopefully they will see a breed they love and will soon own one, and maybe become a part of our dog show community.

9. A dog show of this magnitude is a monumental undertaking. Is there anything you’d like to say to the AKC staff and the show’s sponsors?

Carl Gene Liepmann: It would be difficult to improve on perfection, but it would be nice to have a moving walkway from ring to ring—that is one huge building! I jest, of course. AKC and Royal Canin have teamed up and produced a great show.

10. Now that it’s over, what are your thoughts on the 2025 show year? Any thoughts on the year ahead?

Carl Gene Liepmann: All of my years in the sport, showing since 1953 and judging since 1980, have been special, and 2025 was no exception. I look forward to what 2026 will bring.