Meet Gary L. Andersen – 2024 National Dog Show Breed Judge

Meet Gary L. Andersen – 2024 National Dog Show Breed Judge

1. Can you describe your reaction to receiving an invitation to judge the Non-Sporting Group at this year’s National Dog Show Presented by Purina?

I was very excited and surprised to be asked to judge a Group! I feel this is a great honor from a fabulous organization.

2. What does it mean to judge a Group at this historic show?

This is one of the few benched shows left in the country, plus it is run like our shows were many years ago. The tradition! The excitement! This will be one of the highlights of my judging career!

3. In your opinion, how does this show differ from other AKC events?

Being benched is the biggest difference. The general public coming and seeing all the dogs was also big. We usually do not see much from the general public at most of our shows.

4. What were you thinking or feeling moments before you stepped into the center of the Group ring?

I have not been nervous judging a Group for over 20 years, but I was on Saturday night. The electricity in the air was high, people were clapping and yelling at all the exhibits. The place was really rocking! I had not seen many of the dogs in my Group, but I knew that the Group would be 8 to 10 deep with quality. I was not disappointed!

5. Was there a heightened energy coming from the dog and handler teams? Did you feel the energy of the spectators?

Without question! There was standing room only in the arena! I do not think one person was sitting on their hands. Each exhibit received their fair share of loud applause.

6. How challenging was this assignment? Can you share your selection process?

With the exceptional amount of quality, it was hard but fun! The process is the same as always, I try to find the one with the best qualities that blend together to make it the dog of its breed. With that in mind, this should make it sound-moving, approachable, and happy.

7. Do you have a word or two about your Group winner? About the dogs that placed?

I think the four placing exhibits are some of the best of their breeds that I have seen this year. To go a little further, there were ones that did not place that I could have easily taken home with me! This is one time that I wished we could have more than four placements!

8. This show has become a Thanksgiving Day tradition in America. Is there anything you’d like to say to the members of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and the show’s sponsors?

What a weekend! We were treated like royalty! No stone was left unturned. It is obvious that the club members have worked very hard to put on this show. I was not over-worked, so I was able to enjoy all aspects of the show. There were many wonderful vendors with a variety of products. Purina did a great job with good presentations for exhibitors and the general public.

9. Are there specific ways in which this show furthers the cause of purebred dogs?

Yes, and there is one that I really want to point out. The AKC Museum of the Dog had something similar to a scavenger hunt for the children, where they had pictures of dogs on a sheet of paper and the children had to go around and find them. The children loved it! They had a chance to see dogs they wouldn’t otherwise see and find out information about the breeds. Sorry to say, this would be hard to do at an unbenched show!

10. Now that your assignment is complete, what does this show mean to you personally?

As I mentioned previously, this is one of the highlights of my career! Thank you for allowing me to share my experience.