Charlotte Patterson reflects on judging the Toy Group at Westminster 2026, outlining her selections, top placements, and Group winner.
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Charlotte Patterson: Well, as you probably know, you get invited about a year and a half in advance. When I got the envelope out of my mailbox and saw the gold Pointer, and the Westminster symbol in the upper left-hand corner, right away, I began to think, “What does this envelope hold?” And, of course, it’s such an honor. For a moment, I was just sort of breathless, that I’d been invited to do this. This was the third Group I’ve judged at Westminster, and, of course, this being the 150th, it was just such an honor and such a pleasure. It really was.
Charlotte Patterson: I will say, because of the 150th, The Westminster Kennel Club went all out. It was beautifully done; everything was just taken into account. The book that was published, which was given to us as judges, if you haven’t seen it, is magnificent. It has all these photos and everything in it. I just think, from start to finish, the 150th was made a very, very special event. And then to be part of it was certainly a special thing.
Charlotte Patterson: When I got my start in dogs, I didn’t even know there was a Westminster. I mean, I bought a dog and it was a pet, and then later on, I happened to find a breeder who belonged to the national club and I got a dog. It was just amazing to me to go to dog shows. I didn’t even know of Westminster in those days, but that was fifty-five years ago.
Charlotte Patterson: I was standing there with the Show Chairman, Donald Sturz, as the Toys came in, and when you see those dogs walking into that big ring on the green carpet, every one of them up and going and everything, it’s just a moment where you stand there, and you just think what a pleasure it is to look at these beautiful, beautiful purebred dogs.
Charlotte Patterson: I think there always is. I’ve judged Philadelphia and a lot of the other big shows, and when you get down to that last Group here, or Best of Breed at a National Specialty, there’s always that excitement. Everybody’s doing their best, trying their best, looking their best. And then, of course, the crowd gets into it, and they always have their favorites. When that starts to build up, it’s just a spectacular moment in this sport that we share, one that I’m not sure a lot of people would ever understand except all of us dog people.
Charlotte Patterson: It was very challenging because the TV production people had given us a suggested cut of eight. When you have the Toys that I had, to pick out eight was extremely difficult. I could have easily chosen ten.
You know, I’ve been judging for thirty-five years, and the Toy Group was the first Group I ever judged. I know these Breed Standards backward and forward. Your selection process begins the minute you lay eyes on them. If you look at every dog, you tick off in your mind… okay, this has the correct expression, this has the correct coat. Those are things that you tick off. And then, finally, it gets down to this one did this and this…
Charlotte Patterson: I was very happy with my choices. I liked what I did and came away feeling that I did what I wanted to do.
The Maltese is the best Maltese I’ve ever had my hands on. She is absolute perfection. Coat, pigmentation, expression, her eyes, her gait, her carriage. I could not fault her. I thought she showed beautifully. And you know, that’s a big ring, and she just sort of went in there and said, “Here I am!”
I love the Pomeranian that went Second. I have used him before in Groups. He is a beautiful-sized Pomeranian. He has enough leg under to balance him, groomed to perfection, and a beautiful expression on his face.
When you talk about the Pug, of course, that’s my breed. This little short-backed dog with a curly tail and magnificent head marched around that ring like, “I’m going somewhere.” He had this destination in mind. I thought he was wonderful. I have been told that this is the first black Pug to have ever placed in a Group at Westminster. I felt especially warm after I was told that.
And what more can be said about the Shih Tzu? I mean, he is a glorious dog, a record-breaker. He’s put down to perfection. He is just absolutely beautiful. It is very hard to say one, two, three, four because it’s a choice that’s difficult to make because they were all so beautiful.
Charlotte Patterson: Oh, absolutely. I have people locally in my town, who aren’t even dog people, who came up and said that they knew the name of the Doberman, Penny. These are people who were impressed by this beautiful spectacle of Westminster. I think it’s a super showcase for purebred dogs. I think it’s one that can make people who are not necessarily dog people understand the value of having a purebred dog.
Charlotte Patterson: A bang-up job! I just don’t know what more they could have done, down to the drink coasters at the dinner, which were all purple and said 150th. I mean, just little-bitty tiny details like that. And the sponsors—how wonderful it is that we have these people who will help us have this stage for our purebred dogs to be congratulated over and over. There’s only one, you know.
Charlotte Patterson: I attended my first Westminster in 1974. In 1981, a dog I bred won the Toy Group. So, my feelings for Westminster go back all those years. I think of all the times I’ve been, and all the people and all the dogs.
When I first judged there in the ‘90s, my very first assignment, my very first breed in the ring, was Pugs. And as I stood up this year before I started to judge, and they played The Star-Spangled Banner, I got very teary-eyed. Westminster is full of memories that are things to be treasured. That’s what it is. Westminster is a treasure.
Meet the Judges
Sharon Ann Redmer reflects on judging Herding breeds at Westminster 2026, highlighting breed function, type, and standout winners.
