Insights From Elizabeth Muthard – 2025 National Dog Show Sporting Group Judge

Insights From Elizabeth Muthard – 2025 National Dog Show Sporting Group Judge

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

Elizabeth Muthard: Of course, I was very honored to receive the Sporting Group assignment. As some know, I have a strong background and admiration for many of the Sporting breeds, so this was a very special assignment at this prestigious show.

2. What does it mean to judge a Group at this historic show?

Elizabeth Muthard: Being chosen to officiate for a Group at the National Dog Show of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia is, for me, a statement of the committee’s belief in my knowledge as a judge and my ability to evaluate each of the breed’s represented, and it is quite an honor to be among the final judges of this event.

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

Elizabeth Muthard: First of all, the National Dog Show is one of the few remaining benched shows in this country. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s benched shows have been a tradition since well before I became involved in the sport, and that is a long time. Being from eastern Pennsylvania, the Kennel Club of Philadelphia was one that was always a “must go to” prestigious show with top dogs, big Groups, and in the past, leftover turkey sandwiches, visiting friends during benching hours, and shopping for the holidays.

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

Elizabeth Muthard: Since I wore a mic, I hoped I wouldn’t say anything embarrassing that would have to be edited, but mostly wondered what dogs would be there to represent their breeds.

I had been judging other breeds most of the day, so I had no idea which dogs had won their breeds and looked forward to seeing so many of the Sporting breeds.

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

Elizabeth Muthard: The huge carpeted ring, the lights, cameras, and full stands of spectators all add to the energy and excitement of Group judging at the National Dog Show.

As a judge, I didn’t really notice the crowd once I’d started judging, but I believe the dogs realized this was special as their handlers led them through flawless performances.

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

Elizabeth Muthard: An event which draws the quality entry present at the National Dog Show is naturally very challenging, when you have the “best of the best” competing at every level. There were many exhibits in the Sporting Group who were worthy of “making the cut” and could easily earn a placement, but we are limited to choosing only four for the ribbons. The quality of most of the breeds in my ring was amazing!

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

Elizabeth Muthard: Separating the dogs at the top of my short list was really splitting hairs… in the end, the English Setter won the nod with his beautiful profile, balance standing and moving, and holding his topline with perfect footfall.

A close second was the English Springer Spaniel; beautiful proportions, sweet expression, wonderful topline, and strong, sound body. Third was the German Shorthaired Pointer; beautifully made, good head, strong mover, quite lovely. Fourth place was the Brittany; loved the size, head and expression, and proportion, great movement as well. They were all really outstanding, we just have to make our choices based on each dog on the day.

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?

Elizabeth Muthard: Of course, having the event televised helps the cause of purebred dogs. It’s such an opportunity to inform the public about the reliability of purebred dogs… in size, coat care, temperament, and activity level that you cannot predict with mixed breeds. Knowing what your puppy will grow up to be is a message that this TV production can get out to the public who are bombarded with “rescue” advertisements.

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

Elizabeth Muthard: There’s not enough good that I can say. I was blown away by the attention to every detail, not just for us officials but to every aspect of this show. It certainly is a monumental task to coordinate everything that goes into this event, and I cannot imagine the hours that go into planning every aspect. My sincere thanks to each and every person who had a part in this year’s National Dog Show at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia!

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

Elizabeth Muthard: Few could appreciate how much this assignment meant to me on a personal level. I’ve known the “brains behind the organization,” Wayne Ferguson and Frank DePaulo, almost since my first Conformation entries, quite a long time ago, and the rest of the DePaulos and Bob & Sooz McLaughlin almost as long, and some other committee members of the weekend’s clubs as well.

The Kennel Club of Philadelphia had always been a “must-attend” when I was exhibiting and handling, and there are many memories of past Kennel Club of Philadelphia shows and the people I’ve known who were involved with the past events, starting with the days in the Civic Center.

It is truly heartwarming to see this year’s committee’s success at such an enormous undertaking as the National Dog Show. Being from Allentown, this show is also like “old home week,” seeing so many handlers and exhibitors that we don’t get to see often since leaving the area. So, being part of this show that combined so much of my past in dogs with the present was a most wonderful and unforgettable experience for me!