JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP PRELIMINARY JUDGES
MS . LISA GALLIZZO of Branchburg , New Jersey , became involved in the sport of dogs at 12-years-old , exhibiting her family ’ s Golden Retrievers in Conformation and Junior Showmanship . Ms . Gallizzo also acquired a Pointer to show and qualified to compete in Junior Showmanship at Westminster in 1995 and 1996 .
Ms . Gallizzo fell in love with the Bernese Mountain Dog while handling for a local breeder and co-bred her first litter in 1998 . She continues breeding top-winning Bernese under the Greenway prefix . She is the proud breeder and co-owner of the 2021 Westminster Best of Breed winner .
Over the years , Ms . Gallizzo has been at the end of the lead of top winning Bernese Mountain Dogs and Golden Retrievers , among other breeds . In 2007 , she became a member of the AKC Registered Handler ’ s program and is an active member today . Ms . Gallizzo is approved to judge Junior Showmanship . This will be her first judging assignment at Westminster .
MS . WHITNEY A . MEEKS of Fuquay Varina , North Carolina , is a third-generation dog person who began her career competing in the Junior Showmanship ring with a Border Terrier . Later she handled a Doberman Pinscher named Gia that her grandmother had given her . This Doberman , bred by Edd and Irene Bivin , was the dog Ms . Meeks handled in the Junior Showmanship competition at Westminster and the AKC National Championships , where the team advanced to the finals .
As a teenager , Ms . Meeks met Gerardo Reyes and was introduced to the Airedale terrier breed , which quickly became the focus of her interest . She was awarded Best Junior Handler at Montgomery County Kennel Club Terrier Show with an Airedale terrier , a first for the breed . Over the following twenty years , Ms . Meeks has co-bred Airedales with Mr . Reyes .
As a professional handler , Ms . Meeks has successfully piloted many dogs to the number one ranked position in various breeds , including Irish Wolfhounds , Xoloitzcuintles , Scottish Deerhounds , and Standard Schnauzers . Ms . Meeks ’ grandmother Mrs . Anna Wanner judged dog shows internationally and had twelve judging assignments at Westminster during her career , including officiating Best in Show in 1986 . Ms . Meeks looks forward to continuing the family tradition . This is her first judging assignment at Westminster .
CHRISTINA FRAUSINI
38 WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2022