Meet Dr. Lisa M. Costello – 2024 National Dog Show Breed Judge

Meet Dr. Lisa M. Costello – 2024 National Dog Show Breed Judge

1. What does it mean to be invited to judge at this year’s National Dog Show Presented by Purina?

Dr. Lisa M. Costello: It was a distinct honor to judge for the Philadelphia Kennel Club and The National Dog Show Presented by Purina. I started with my first show dog 34 years ago at the Philadelphia Kennel Club, when the show was in the heart of the city and the dogs were benched on wooden benches! Since that time, I have watched this show grow into a national showcase for our sport, and being able to judge this year meant the world to me. I felt very fortunate to be part of the distinguished panel as a relatively new judge, and the quality of the entry did not disappoint. With Purina as the main sponsor, this cluster has grown into a fabulous location for public education as well as a beautiful show site for fanciers. I am very glad they have kept their benched show, moved into a more modern setting, and continued to grow it to the quality cluster it is today.

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

Dr. Lisa M. Costello: I had several large entries with a very nice assortment of quality dogs. It was a treat to judge a large number of Ibizan Hounds and to see my BOB winner, GCHG DC Abbaio Bushbaby, SC, ATT also win the Group on Saturday and Sunday. Interestingly, I liked the Winners Bitch almost as much as my Breed dog and it turns out they are mother and daughter! Sara Murphy (Abbaio) has done a fabulous job of breeding dual champion Ibizan Hounds while maintaining beautiful breed type and athleticism. My background is primarily performance, so I am always very excited to find dogs true to the purpose they were bred for.

I rarely see PBGVs and had a group of very nice, quality specials on Sunday. My winner in that breed (GCHG Lacey’s Not My Circus) was an almost 9-year-old dog that has changed very little since I saw him years ago as a younger special. He has maintained his beautiful, fluid movement and was shown in excellent condition. I also rarely see Basset Hounds, and the Best of Breed winner on my day (GCHB Lake Park Maddox) was an absolutely beautiful example of the breed with a lovely head and expression, and a beautiful long neck flowing into a level topline which he held while moving. A very clean dog with good reach and drive and a crowd favorite in the Group on Sunday where he placed 4th.

I had a large specials ring in Borzoi with quite a variety in type. I was pleased to see the majority of the dogs very clean coming and going, with good shape and arch over the loin. I chose a very feminine bitch (class move-up Bibikov’s Blushing Ice Maiden) with a beautiful outline and balanced side gait as my Breed winner. The Saluki and Rhodesian Ridgeback specials rings were very challenging, with many quality entries that made it hard to choose. I worked my way through each breed systematically, and had several dogs that easily could have won the Breed on the day. My Saluki Best of Breed winner (GCHB Zia Impala’s Katatstrophe At Albelarm) was a beautiful cream Smooth shown in rock-hard condition. She had the essentials of the amazing athlete the Saluki should be and would be able to hunt in the open field tomorrow. I find almost every time I judge Rhodesian Ridgebacks there is a wide range in type and soundness. I prioritize functional structure and running gear, and my top winners (BOB/BOS/SD/SB) all had good side gait with moderate angles, shoulder layback, and breed type. My eventual Breed winner on Sunday (CH Rambo’s Whiskey Gold Digger) edged out the others with unrestricted side gait and proper shoulder assembly.

I always enjoy my Whippet assignments (my breed) and my entry at The National Dog Show was no different. I had several very nice-moving dogs to choose from for each of the awards, and my Breed winner (GCH Sporting Fields Touch The Night, TKN, FCAT2) has long been a favorite of mine. He is a very houndy dog with a nice, gentle arch over the loin, excellent muscling, and effortless side gait. He looked beautiful on the blue carpet in the Group. My last comment is about a very promising Afghan Hound puppy I had in the classes. Province Untouchable was an 8-month-old fuzzy puppy with a nice, short back, balanced side gait with good front reach and drive, and nice spring of rib. He pushed the specials for the Breed that day and has a promising future.

3. Now that it’s nearly over, what are your thoughts on the 2024 show year? Any thoughts on the year ahead?

Dr. Lisa M. Costello: I will start by saying that I absolutely love judging dogs and feel very fortunate to be a part of this great sport. I have been involved in Conformation dog shows for over 35 years and believe we all need to work together to keep this sport alive. I have judged this past year at a variety of shows, some very small with kennel clubs barely surviving, and some on the larger end of the scale with clubs that can afford to do quite a bit more. I truly enjoyed all of my assignments and have tried to do my very best for each exhibitor who shows to me. I hope to continue to find assignments in 2025. This was my first year attending the Montgomery County shows as I began my quest for the Terrier Group. I hope and pray we can continue to have clusters like Philadelphia, Montgomery, Orlando, etc., to continue to grow and support this amazing sport.