Interview With Charles L. Olvis – 2025 National Dog Show Best in Show Judge

Interview With Charles Olvis – 2025 National Dog Show Best in Show Judge

1. Can you describe your reaction to receiving an invitation to judge Best in Show at this year’s National Dog Show Presented by Purina?

Charles Olvis: I was completely surprised! To be chosen from all the great judges in this country as well as foreign judges is a great honor that means so much to me.

2. What does it mean to head the judging panel at this historic show?

Charles Olvis: This is an honor I will never forget and will always be one of the highlights of my judging career.

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

Charles Olvis: The time and expense put into this all-breed show is second to none. All of the committee members of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia deserve huge congratulations and huge pats on the back for their hard work… what a show they put on for the Fancy!

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

Charles Olvis: “Just don’t mess up” in following the instructions of the NBC crew… and, of course, I was looking forward to the great dogs sent on to the Best in Show competition by the seven Group judges. Also, I was thinking what an unbelievable experience of a lifetime this was for me to be stepping into the ring for this assignment.

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

Charles Olvis: Of course, there was great anticipation for the judging of Best in Show under the lights, with the seats filled all around the arena. The spectators were loud and ready for excitement, and the handlers and the dogs were really “up” and “right on.”

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

Charles Olvis: To be tasked with choosing from seven dogs of exceptional quality is a challenge we don’t face every day. Six of the seven had previously been rewarded Best in Show by me at previous shows. Like all judging, it comes down to choosing the dog you feel is most deserving on that day; I just had seven wonderful exhibits from which to choose.

7. Do you have a word or two about your Best in Show winner? About the Group winners?

Charles Olvis: Every one of the seven is a wonderful representative of its breed. My ultimate choice for Best in Show has beautiful breed type, fills the eye standing or moving, and it is evident that this dog loves to show as well.

8. This show has become a Thanksgiving Day tradition in America. Are there specific ways in which this show furthers the cause of purebred dogs?

Charles Olvis: America gets to see these beautiful dogs and learn a bit about the breeds presented. This is one of the most-watched programs of the year for NBC and is a great opportunity to present the purebred dog to the public.

9. Is there anything you’d like to say to the members of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and the show’s sponsors?

Charles Olvis: What a show that Frank DePaulo, Wayne Ferguson, Bob & Soon McLaughlin, and all the other great members of the committee and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia brought to the Fancy. Also, many thanks to Purina, a great sponsor of not only this show but others throughout the year as well, and to all the other sponsors whose help made this great show and weekend possible. NBC’s television crew did a great job filming the show for dog lovers in America to see. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia is one of the few remaining benched shows where spectators have an all-day opportunity to see the various breeds of dogs and speak with their owners and handlers to learn about the different breeds that are of interest to them.

10. Now that your assignment is complete, what does this show mean to you personally?

Charles Olvis: In a nutshell, this assignment is one that means the world to me! It is a great honor to be asked to judge Best in Show at such a prestigious event; I’m unable to fully express the feeling of being named Best in Show Judge for the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, an event with a long history of outstanding shows. This year, the great venue, super stewards, wonderful dogs, and hard work of the committees, the vendors, and the spectators, all made for a fun event for everyone. I will always look back on this day, happy and proud to have been a part of such a wonderful dog show. Huge gratitude to the Kennel Club of Philadelphia on the success of its 2025 event!