Interview With Richard W. Powell: 2026 MCKC Breed Judge

What is the best part about judging at Montgomery? How many times have you judged this show? How many years have you been attending as an exhibitor? As a spectator?

The best part of judging at Montgomery County is the fact that you know you will have a quality entry. For a lot of the terrier breeds it is their National Specialty. People keep the best to show on this weekend. One reason is there will be majors, and secondly, most judges are terrier specialists. Judging any National Specialty means you will have real choices to make. Not just handing out ribbons. I have judged seven National Specialties here. I first came as an assistant around forty years ago, and have since attended as an exhibitor, judge, or as a bystander. I don’t think I have missed a show since my first one.

How does this year’s entry compare with previous Breed assignments? Can you provide specific examples to support your thoughts on the breed(s) you judged this year?

This question doesn’t apply as I judged Best in Show last year.

If you could encourage breeders, exhibitors, and judges in other Groups to visit Montgomery, how would you entice them to join everyone at “The Greatest Terrier Show on Earth?”

I do this all the time. I especially instill the importance of attending to new terrier judges. Where else can you see the real and important nuances between the breeds? There will be mentors to explain the differences between Lakelands and Welsh. Scotties and Westies. Where else can you see eighty Wheatens, even more Kerries, and huge numbers of Smooth Fox Terriers? And the list goes on. People come from all over the world for this weekend of shows. Anyone interested in dogs should visit “The Greatest Terrier Show on Earth!”

Meet the Judges

Meet Kenneth Kauffman: 2026 MCKC Breed Judge