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Faye Strauss reflects on judging at Westminster 2026, highlighting standout winners, entry quality, and the overall experience.
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Faye Strauss: It was an incredible experience to judge at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an event that will remain etched in my memory forever.
As many of you know, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the United States, right behind the Kentucky Derby. This year’s celebration stood out from the moment I checked in and received a beautiful purple and gold key with “150” embossed on it, to the delightful surprise of finding a box of special Westminster Kennel Club sugar cookies in my room and other thoughtful gifts.
The show committee, led by Show Chair Dr. Don Sturz and his remarkable team, ensured that every detail was perfect. From the formal judge’s dinner at the New York Yacht Club to the scrumptious breakfasts and lunches served at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, every aspect was meticulously planned. The drinks and appetizers served during the Group judging were simply delectable, and the hospitality was impeccable.
Faye Strauss: The Javits Center proved to be an ideal venue for Breed judging. The spacious, modern, and stunning facility provided a wonderful setting for the event. My ring stewards were incredibly professional and an absolute pleasure to work with, making the judging process smooth and enjoyable. In the evening, Madison Square Garden was packed with enthusiastic and cheering fans. The atmosphere was electric, and the between-Group entertainment was exceptional, keeping everyone engaged and entertained.
My Saint Bernard winners were exceptional. The winner was a shorthair, powerful, and a proportionately tall dog with an imposing head.
Judging a ring full of top-notch Bernese Mountain Dogs was thrilling. My winner was a sturdy, balanced, and square-appearing dog who looked capable of droving and draft work. His head showed a gentle expression with a broad skull, slightly shorter muzzle, dry lips, and slightly oval, brown eyes. His chest was deep, and his topline was level. This striking tricolor dog represented his breed well in the Group.
My Siberian Husky winner had the correct leg length-to-body depth and proportions, looking capable of pulling a light load at medium speed over a long distance. His movement showcased good reach and drive, a level topline, and a fox-brush tail in a sickle curve. He was a commendable breed representative.
The Tibetan Mastiff winner was noble and impressive, with a strong, broad head, good proportion of muzzle to skull, heavy brow ridges, and almond eyes slightly slanting toward the ears. His movement was sound, powerful yet light, and agile.
The Samoyed Breed winner was a handsome male who exemplified excellent breed type. He stood out among the exceptional dogs with his correct 55 percent leg length-to-depth of chest ratio, slightly longer than tall stature, and correct double coat featuring harsh hair with silver tips. His head was a picture of breed type, with sparkling eyes and a tight-lipped Sammy smile that lit up his face. His dark, almond-shaped eyes, well-furred and erect ears, and proudly erect neck made him a sight to behold. His gait was quick, agile, free, and balanced, making him a magnificent representative of the breed.
The Rottweiler entry was large, and the quality of the males was exceptional. I had to make deep cuts to expedite the judging process. The Breed winner had the correct proportions of 9 to 10, height to length, an equal amount of leg to body, and a compact, powerful appearance. With great expression and dark rust markings, he had the desired ratio of muzzle to foreface of 2 to 3. His noble, alert expression and dark, almond-shaped eyes, strong broad jaw with dark pigment throughout, and full dentition were impressive. His strong front assembly balanced his muscular rear, and his powerful, balanced gait made him an excellent breed representative.
The Danish-Swedish Farmdog, the newest member of the Working Group, had a good-sized entry of lovely dogs. Choosing the Best of Breed and Select was a tough decision, as both were very worthy. These dogs had a compact build and were slightly rectangular. Their triangular heads were a bit small in proportion to their bodies, with roundish, dark eyes and well-defined stops. Their toplines were correct, with slightly arched loins and slightly rounded croups. My winner had a natural bobtail, but the long tail with a slight curve is equally correct. On the move, the winner looked lively and attentive. I was pleased with the overall quality of the entry.
I would like to thank all the owners and handlers who presented their lovely dogs to me. The tough choices I had to make were rendered even more challenging by the outstanding breed specimens I saw.
Faye Strauss: To me, this show is our All-Breed National Specialty or Super Bowl. Watching the Working Group on Tuesday evening, I was very impressed. I judged seven Working breeds, and the quality was exceptionally high. And when the Doberman Pinscher won Best in Show, it was the perfect ending to a fabulous show. As a Doberman enthusiast, it was heartwarming to see this lovely dog performing to perfection with her handler, Andy Linton, among a group of exceptional dogs.
It was an honor and a pleasure to judge the 150th Westminster show.
Meet the Judges
Sharon Ann Redmer reflects on judging Herding breeds at Westminster 2026, highlighting breed function, type, and standout winners.
