Insights From Joseph G. Reno: 2026 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Breed Judge

Insights From Joseph Reno: 2026 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Breed Judge

What does it mean to be invited to judge at this year’s historic 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?

Joseph Reno: To judge the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has always been a dream of mine, but something in the back of my mind as I continue to judge new breeds and still breed and exhibit my own breed. When I received the letter in the mail, I could not believe my eyes! Not only was it my first judging assignment there, but the 150th anniversary show! Indeed, an exciting waiting period until the names on the judging panel were released and my friends would find out.

Can you share your thoughts on your various Breed assignments? Please be specific.

Joseph Reno: My first breed to judge was two Entlebucher Mountain Dogs, which I rarely get the chance to judge due to their small numbers. My winner had the proper longer body proportions with level topline, free and easy side gait, and a pleasing head. A quality entry of Finnish Lapphunds entered my ring. My eventual winner possessed the breed’s soft expression, proper body, balance, and substance. Thick and profuse coat with a correct high-set and unkinked tail, along with moderate effortless movement took this dog to BOB. The Polish Lowland Sheepdogs were a quality entry overall. My winner covered ground effortlessly and had the proper double coat, correct depth of chest, level topline, and lively expression. My Pyrenean Shepherd winner was rough-faced with the proper, more square, body proportions for her variety. This bitch was a true example of the breed and “shaved the earth” as she moved around the ring. My Pumi BOB bitch was a standout! With her square body proportions and whimsical expression, she gaited around the ring moderately and spirited, and had the proper corkscrew coat. My entry in Briards was small, but I probably had to work harder on the two I was considering. My eventual Breed winner was a bitch with a beautiful outline, and so close to square, which is difficult to obtain in a bitch. I felt she moved as a Briard should, almost gliding. My dog was a very close contender. I had quite a few Border Collies to judge, and split the dogs from the bitches and made cuts from each group. They should be a sturdy breed and able to work all day, with movement and structure oh so important. I found the quality was better in the males that day and my eventual winner was a male who moved easily around the ring with head in the proper position.

After lunch, I had my Canaan Dog entry and my own breed, the Smooth and Rough Collies. My Canaan bitch was the standout here, another square breed in proportion with moderate substance. I have watched this bitch over the last couple years and have seen her mature. This was her day as she moved tirelessly up and down and from the side. With a correct head, ears, and expression, she was my easy winner. My Smooth Collie entry was quality-filled, but my eventual winner was hard to deny as she caught my eye right away. She did not disappoint with her beautiful expression and length of head, without any depth from the side. Her outline was correct, with curves in the right places, and she could also move. My Rough Collie BOV was also a standout to me. She had a most pleasing expression with a correct profile, and no depth from the side. She also has a correct outline and good legs. I did confirm as we took the picture that she had won our National last year. I could not be prouder, as a Collie breeder for over 50 years, for my first assignment at WKC to send both of these beautiful Collies into the Herding Group.

Now that your assignment is complete, what does Westminster mean to you personally?

Joseph Reno: There is definitely something special about the Westminster KC Dog Show! I exhibited there once back in the 1990s when everything was at Madison Square Garden, and was BOS in an entry of 18 Rough Collies. It was warm and crowded in the benching area, but when I finally made my way into the ring on the green carpet… the magic happened! On the morning of my judging at the Javits Center, I walked in, and when I hit that green carpet, the magic returned—and has still not worn off.