MS . JANINA K . LAURIN of Ashford , Connecticut is a breeder of Belgian Tervuren , second-generation dog fancier and judge . The Chateau Blanc kennel has produced over 200 champions , multiple all-breed Best in Show , National Specialty Best in Show , Group winners , and placers . Additionally , her kennel has produced Dual CH , OTCH , MACH , CT , HTCH , and Schutzhund title holders . Ms . Laurin has served as the American Belgian Tervuren Club ’ s AKC Delegate for over 20 years and other leadership roles , including President . In 2002 , she was recognized as the inaugural AKC Herding Breeder of the Year designation .
Ms . Laurin is approved to judge the Herding Group , multiple Working breeds , Best in Show , and Junior Showmanship . She has judged the national specialties of all 4 Belgian breeds and many specialties of various breeds . This is her third judging assignment at Westminster .
MR . BILL LEE of Aurora , Colorado was an owner-handler of Bichon Frise and Tibetan Terriers beginning in 1980 . Mr . Lee taught weekly handling lessons at the Aurora Recreational Center for 17 years , helping hopeful owners succeed in the conformation ring . Mr . Lee became a licensed judge in 2001 .
He has judged many Specialties , including the 2007 Bichon Frise Club of America National Specialty and the Bichon Frise National Specialty in Finland . He is approved to judge the Non-Sporting and Toy groups and Best in Show . This is his first judging assignment at Westminster .
MR . JUAN MIRANDA of Mexico City , Mexico along with his parents , is the breeder , owner , and handler of Afghans of Damos , the top winning hounds in the history of México since 1980 . As a Junior Handler , he won the World Championship three times , earned third place at Crufts , and was a Finalist at Westminster . Mr . Miranda ’ s Afghans have been awarded Best in Show worldwide , including at the Afghan Hound Club of America National Specialty and the World Championship .
His judging career started as the youngest FCI All-Breeds International judge . Mr . Miranda has judged on five continents , including at The World Dog Show and the AKC National Championship . This is his first judging assignment at Westminster .
MR . JAMES J . MITCHELL of Wilmington , Delaware originally from Boston , started in dogs more than 50 years ago with his first Shetland Sheepdog champion , followed by numerous champion Pembroke Welsh Corgis . Mr . Mitchell was an apprentice handler for professional handlers Bill Trainor , Anne Rogers , and Richard Bauer . He also managed the Standard Poodle Kennel of Jan Dupont . In 1988 , he began judging , which included national specialties for Affenpinschers and Italian Greyhounds . In 2001 , he left judging to become an AKC Executive Field Representative and resumed judging in 2020 . Mr . Mitchell is approved to judge the Hound , Toy , and Herding groups , numerous Non-Sporting breeds , Best in Show , and Junior Showmanship . This is his fourth judging assignment at Westminster .
MR . SHAWN J . NICHOLS of Calgary , Alberta , Canada began showing dogs as an assistant to professional handlers in 1985 . He went on to partner with Raymond Yurick as all-breed professional handlers . Additionally , he bred and shows Wire Fox Terriers , and Scottish Terriers but primarily Toy and Miniature Poodles under the Typecast prefix and Whippets under the Brushwood prefix .
He has been on the board of several dog clubs in Canada holding numerous executive positions and is currently the Secretary and Show Chairman for the Evelyn Kenny Kennel and Obedience Club .
Mr . Nichols began judging dogs in 2012 and is currently approved to judge the Sporting , Hound , Toy , Non-Sporting , Terrier , and Herding Groups . He has judged Mexico , Korea , and most recently in Australia . This is his first judging assignment at Westminster .
32 WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2022