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Insightful exploration of the evolving AKC judging system and recent rule changes, plus reflections on assignments in Idaho and Texas.
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In the wonderful world of purebred dogs, judges are often a topic of great discussion between exhibitors and judges themselves. Since I submitted my first application to judge in 1984, I have witnessed so many changes in the system; some good, some bad, but always a system undergoing change.
Within the past year, the AKC system changed, allowing foreign judges to officiate at AKC shows on up to 16 occasions. This change doubles the previous allowable number of eight shows per year. One reason I heard was the lack of all-breed judges who are AKC-approved for all seven Groups, making it difficult for small clubs to hire judges to cover all the Breeds and Groups and work within a fiscally responsible budget.
I further learned that the Canadian Kennel Club has over 150 individuals approved as “All-Breed Judges,” while the AKC currently has only 15. This is a pretty significant difference between the two clubs.
As I understand, under Canada’s current system, it is possible for a judge to become an “All-Breed Judge” in less than 10 years. Meanwhile, here in the US, it took many of us 5-10 years to even be approved for our first Group.
Make no mistake, I believe that those of us who are AKC judges are probably the best-trained and most well-respected judges in the world. However, why does the AKC make advancing so difficult for proven judges?
First, I know of no AKC judge who judges even five foreign assignments in one specific country in one year, let alone 16. So why are we letting other countries’ judges take assignments away from our excellent judges, who are also working to gain additional breeds? I will admit there are some outstanding foreign judges, but in my humble opinion they are not all great “All-Breed Judges.”
In the system I came up with back in the 1980s, you had to have a proven record with a background in breeding, exhibiting, judging matches, and ring stewarding to even apply. We took “closed book” tests, had our interviews, and even “hands-on” testing as part of the process. We started with one or two breeds and advanced under the one-for-one, two-for-two systems. Also, the maximum number of breeds to be granted for many years was no more than eight. We had to complete FIVE provisional assignments with dogs present before applying for regular status and then applying for new breeds. We also were not allowed to “solicit” assignments. Not soliciting meant you had better do a good job so that exhibitors would recommend hiring you to advance through the system. The slower starting system, although frustrating at times, in my opinion, made for many of the well-trained older judges we have today.
On the flip side, I see many “new” judges who are approved for their initial breed or breeds soliciting their assignments and already planning how they can check the boxes and apply for 15 new breeds on their second application. We need to slow down the new judges so that they can learn to judge “type” and breed-specific traits and not just become “generic” judges handing out ribbons.
After judges complete their first Groups, maybe that is the time to consider whether they can accelerate their progress.
I recently reviewed the October 2024 Conformation, Group, and Best in Show judges list. According to my calculations, we only have 15 judges approved for six Groups, 19 for five Groups, 66 for four Groups, and only 104 judges approved for three Groups. That is a total of only 219 judges approved for three Groups or more versus over 150 “All-Breed Judges” approved by our north-of-the-border Canadian friends.
Many long-time judges stopped applying for new breeds for various reasons. Among them are the constantly changing systems at AKC and the process involved.
I have often wondered why the entire Judging Operations Department has no one who has ever served as an AKC judge. These are the people who oversee the applications, make sure the boxes are checked, and are supposed to verify their accuracy.
After the application is accepted and the tests are passed, the applicant is interviewed by an AKC Field Representative to evaluate that person’s knowledge and readiness to advance. But here again lies another issue. While I think we have a number of very good and knowledgeable dog people who do a great job, to my knowledge only one current Field Representative has ever been an AKC-approved judge.
When a person becomes a Field Representative, they are, in effect, an instant “all-breed specialist” who can advance or impede the process of judges with their evaluations. While most do a great job, there have always been instances of bias and outside influence from others that can make a difference in the results.
Most judges approved for three or more Groups have proven themselves over the years in the middle of the ring. Some of us would like to add new Breeds and Groups but have no interest in becoming “all-breed” judges, while I am sure there are some who do.
If, in fact, the AKC is allowing those foreign judges to adjudicate at up to 16 shows a year in the states to accommodate the clubs’ needs for more multiple Group judges to fill their panels economically, why not advance their current pool more rapidly? Judges currently need approval to advance beyond two Groups. If the AKC deems these people proficient enough to advance, why not allow them to test and advance without all of the other check-the-box stuff?
Good judges study and prepare. They do not wish to get a reputation as a bad judge, so most will prepare. Yes, there will be mistakes along the way because judging is a learning process, but the more you do it, the better you get. On the other hand, some of those foreign judges do not have a clue, and many exhibitors choose not to show to them, which may hurt the entry of the club that thinks it is saving money by hiring them. Why not offer the judges with three or more Groups an entire Group if they fit the bill for being allowed to advance?
We all know judging is subjective, and no one in the position is immune to criticism. Many highly qualified individuals deserve to advance based on their past performance alone. Why is AKC taking so long to see that the system needs streamlining to reward the good judges? If judges are constantly being complained about, stop them but do not penalize all the good ones who have much to offer the sport. By making some of these changes, we would be helping clubs become more efficient when filling four-day clusters and smaller shows.
I would like to emphasize that these are just my opinions. I have a great deal of respect for many foreign judges, as well as many for my AKC colleagues. I just feel it is time for common sense to take over and advance the deserving people. Just think back to when Len Brumby advanced people as a one-man department.
Carol and I had the privilege to judge for the Idaho Capital City Kennel Club in Boise earlier this month. I have always found trips into “Big Sky” country enjoyable, especially when taking in the absolutely stunning “Clear Blue Sky” in this wonderful part of our great, diverse United States of America. However, recent wildfires in Wyoming, covering over 75,000 acres, and another over 10,000 acres in Idaho, created a “haze” in the sky. There seems to have been so much devastation this year throughout our great country. I only hope and pray that all of the people and areas that have been affected can bounce back soon.
Ket Ayling and her crew at Idaho Capital City KC put on a fantastic weekend of All-Breed Shows and Obedience and Rally Trials along with Farm Dog, Herding Instinct, Fast CAT, Draft Tests, and Weight Pulls, providing something for everyone to enjoy.
When the judges arrived at our hotel, we were presented with fantastic gift boxes of gourmet treats to enjoy while relaxing before and after our assignments.
The Expo Idaho Center is a very large and well-lit, climate-controlled building. We had great large rings, superb dogs, and wonderful hospitality for both judges and exhibitors. If you ever want to plan a western trip and take in a weekend of shows, this would be a good one to add to your list.
Travis County Kennel Club: The Texas Two Step Cluster
The end of October allowed us to travel to Belton, Texas, to judge for the Travis County Kennel Club. Travis had shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the Guadalupe Valley Dog Fanciers holding a Thursday event for their “Two Step” cluster.
Show Chair Maura Phelan and assistant Danelle Brown did a fantastic job of putting on another high-quality show at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton. With outside temperatures in the 80s, the Bank Center building was a “super cool” and comfortable site for exhibitors and their dogs. The show was filled with high-quality entries and numerous Specialties, which always help to raise the entry numbers.
We had a great mix of old and new judges, which made for some fun and exciting conversations. We had judges from the Lower 48, along with judges from Alaska and Mexico, and we all enjoyed spending time and sharing stories over dinner each night.
Hats off to Maura and Danelle on a job well done.
American Kennel Club (AKC)
