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Claire Wisch Abraham reflects on judging at the 2025 AKC National Championship, highlighting depth of quality and memorable winners.
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Claire Wisch Abraham: It was an honor to be asked to judge at the AKC National Championship. The judge I replaced was an icon of the sport. I did feel a little pressure filling her spot.
Claire Wisch Abraham: I judged all the Setters and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. I was thrilled with the depth of quality in specials in all the breeds that I judged.
My Gordon Setter entry, while not large, brought several nice specials. My Breed winner is a spectacular dog. He was the ultimate Sporting Group and Reserve Best in Show winner.
I had a very large entry of Tollers. My ultimate winner was a lovely dog that I had never judged before. He had beautiful breed type, movement, and coat. I was thrilled to watch him be awarded a Group 2!
The English Setter ring was probably the most competitive. The dogs and bitches I had at the end were the best I have seen together in one ring at one time. I was thrilled with the dog I used for BOB and the bitch I used for BOS. The Selects were also lovely. The AKC National Championship allows for AOMs, which I was glad to award in this breed!
Claire Wisch Abraham: Looking back on 2025, I had judged some great dogs. But judging in Orlando was the icing on the cake!
Written by
Where Champions Are Celebrated! | Est. 1992.
American Kennel Club (AKC)
