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Debbie Melgreen reflects on judging Hound breeds at the 2025 AKC National Championship, sharing highlights, depth of quality, and gratitude.
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Debbie Melgreen: It is both an honor and a privilege to be invited to judge this prestigious event!
Debbie Melgreen: I was privileged to judge the following Hound Breeds: Beagles (both Varieties), Black and Tan Coonhounds, Bloodhounds, Bluetick Coonhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Otterhounds, Plott Hounds, Scottish Deerhounds and Sloughis. As one would expect at a show of this magnitude, the quality was deep in all breeds! I think that both varieties of Beagles were some of the most hotly contested breeds in the show. Quality was deep, with several excellent examples of the breed, including my class animals. It was exhilarating to judge so many exemplary exhibits! I was pleased to see one of my BOV winners place in the Hound Group! Black and Tans, again, brought some very strong exhibits to my ring. Some I have done for in the past, my Breed winner being an excellent example of the breed that I had not previously judged. Bloodhounds were narrowed down to two very fine examples of the breed that I have done for in the past, with my BOB bitch edging out the BOS dog. Bluetick Coonhounds had a lovely entry, with my class bitch being what I felt was exemplary for her breed and was ultimately awarded Best of Breed! Ibizans had a beautiful entry that was a pleasure to judge. I loved the fact that I was later told that I had given strong consideration to a family of dogs! Also, I was pleased to see that my BOB winner placed in the Hound Group! Norwegian Elkhounds brought me an entry of four beautiful, typey bitches (no dogs) that I narrowed down to two. Both very nice examples of the breed, with just small details giving the nod to my Best of Breed winner on the day. Otterhounds showed a high-quality entry, again being told later that I awarded highly a family of dogs. Kudos to the breeders/exhibitors who brought me such a quality entry! Plott Hounds were perhaps the breed that brought me the most joy in judging this year! Yes, it is always a pleasure to judge a highly competitive breed in ANY breed, but when you have a large entry in a low-entry breed that you rarely see an entry in except for certain pockets of the country… it is exhilarating! The breeders/exhibitors of this breed are to be commended on the entry this year! You all put a smile on my face! Scottish Deerhounds had a quality entry, with my Best of Breed winner coming down to being between two very fine examples of the breed and the ultimate winner just edging out the competition on the day! Sloughis brought a small entry but very fine examples of the breed that were a pleasure to judge!
Debbie Melgreen: I would like to express my gratitude to the entire show committee for the hard work it takes to make this show run like a well-oiled machine! I was VERY pleased to see that our Juniors received airtime this year and thought the way it was done was EXCELLENT! I have heard many comments from “non-dog show folks” who thought it was wonderful that Juniors were a part of this event. They had no idea until this aired! Kudos to us all!! I look forward with anticipation to the year ahead. I am so blessed to be a part of our dog show family!
American Kennel Club (AKC)
