Interview With Michael Faulkner: 2026 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Junior Showmanship Judge

Interview With Michael Faulkner: 2026 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Junior Showmanship Judge

Can you describe your reaction to receiving an invitation to judge the Junior Showmanship Finals at this year’s historic 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?

Michael Faulkner: For me personally, having been in the sport my entire life and having been a Junior, I thought it was a golden opportunity to give back, made more exciting by the fact that it was the 150th anniversary show.

How did you prepare for this assignment? Any “day of” strategies?

Michael Faulkner: No, not really, because you don’t prepare for the assignment; you proceed forward with gratitude and joy.

Can you talk a bit about your typical process for judging Junior Showmanship?

Michael Faulkner: For me, I don’t want to see the Junior. I just want to see the dog and watch the Junior disappear into the background. The Junior that I don’t see at all ends up winning.

Was there a heightened energy in your ring? Did you feel the energy of the spectators?

Michael Faulkner: The only thing I felt was the passion and the energy from the Juniors, because they’d worked really hard to get to the Finals at Madison Square Garden.

Did the Juniors in your ring seem especially focused? Any nerves on display?

Michael Faulkner: They were on pins and needles, and I picked up on that, but I wanted them to be relaxed. So, my own energy was focused only on them.

How evident was breed-specific presentation among the finalists?

Michael Faulkner: All the Juniors were breed-specific in their presentation. It came down to subtle nuances in mechanics, in timing, and in movement and body gestures. At this level, it’s the nuances that come into play.

With so much talent in your ring, how challenging was this assignment?

Michael Faulkner: I felt confident that I could go in and do the best of my ability, and make myself happy at the end of the day. The challenge was that there could only be one winner. That’s challenging because you don’t ever want to disappoint someone. There were eager, well-intended, deserving young people in the ring who were hoping to get a ribbon, and I knew they’d worked hard the whole year qualifying to get there.

Is there anything you’d like to say to the Juniors who made it to the Finals this year?

Michael Faulkner: I’d like to make sure they know they are of quality and should not to be disappointed in their performance or in themselves. When they got to the Finals, they had already won and been rewarded.

Do you have any thoughts you’d like to offer to your winning Junior?

Michael Faulkner: I will say that he masterfully presented a small, difficult breed that is not known for its willingness to stand still and please. He made his dog look like a giant breed.

Based on this assignment, would you say the future of the sport is in capable hands?

Michael Faulkner: Yes, absolutely, as long as Juniors understand that capable hands also translates to actions and responsibilities outside of the ring. A knowledge of anatomy, breed history, pedigrees, and animal husbandry is essential.