EE: I have had many positive judging experiences in so many
countries that it is difficult to hold up just a few. In general,
I prefer to judge in the UK, as this is where the sport has its
roots, and the British still have both numbers and quality in
many breeds. This being said, I think that the best US national specialties can rival the best dog shows anywhere in
the world. The Skokloster sighthound show in Sweden used
to be a unique experience, and I have much enjoyed my appointments there. My appointments at Westminster, Morris &
Essex, Del Valle, KC of Philadelphia, Santa Barbara and the
AKC Invitational have been very memorable, and Crufts is
always very special, of course. But if I were to pick just one
appointment that st ood out from the rest, it would have to be
judging all Groups and BIS at Leeds 2014, Leeds being one of
my favorite shows anyway. Judging BIS at the UK Houndshow
was another very memorable appointment.
Espen Engh
awarding BOB at
the Westminster
Kennel Club dog
show in 2011
to the Borzoi
MBIS MSBIS
Am. GCh.P Can.
Ch. Aashtoria
Wildhunt Hidden
Agenda, handled
by Stuart
McGraw. In 2017,
Espen will be
judging at WKC
for the third time.
DOGSinREVIEW.com
JOHN ASHBEY
46
AS: Many claim that they judge dogs differently in the
breed than at Group or Best in Show level. How do you
approach evaluating dogs in the breed ring, and is it any
ENGH, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42
different from when you judge them in the finals?
encountered the most remarkable dedication and willingness
EE: Yes, I do approach the dogs slightly differently at Group
to make sacrifices in order to keep or breed dogs, a thirst for
and Best in Show level. I never take into account what a dog
knowledge that I have rarely found in my part of the world.
may look like in the Group when deciding on my Best of Breed
Many countries in Latin America and Asia have made huge
winner. I simply go for the dog that I consider to be the best
strides forward in many breeds over the last decade and more,
representative of the breed. If he or she is not a particularly
and I predict that we will see many more outstanding dogs
good show dog or not particularly well presented, so be it, the
and clever breeders in the years to come.
dog will still win BOB. But in the Group
and BIS ring, I pay more attention to
AS: You often judge native (not apshowmanship and presentation, but
proved by FCI in most cases) breeds
I think that the best
then only among the dogs that I considthat only exist in their respective
US national specialties er to be typey and excellent representacountries. How do you build relecan rival the best
tives of their breeds. A less-than-correct
vant skills for such assignments?
and typey dog should not be considered
EE: Yes, as an all-breed judge, I am quite
dog shows anywhere
in the finals no matter how showy, but
frequently asked to judge breeds that
in the world.
then he should not have been in the
are not yet internationally recognized.
Group in the first place.
I find this difficult and challenging, as I
often will not have encountered those
AS: Do you ever walk away from an assignment thinkbreeds before. Of course I ask for the breed standard and any
ing, “I could have done better”?
educational material in advance and study these carefully, and
EE: Yes, quite often, and I admit that it can be quite annoying.
I will consult with other judges who may have experience
But judges sometimes make mistakes, and why would I be any
judging the breeds. Generally speaking, I think it would make
exception? I try my best but do not always succeed in satissense if those native breeds were judged by native judges.
fying myself. The good thing is that having second thoughts
paves the way for learning from your mistakes rather than
AS: Are there any “new” countries in sight?
simply repeating them.
EE: Well, there are not that many countries left that I have not
already judged in. But yes, I have agreed to judge in a couple of
AS: Have you ever sought feedback on your judging
“new” countries and am much looking forward to going there.
from experts watching you at ringside? Do you enjoy
discussing your entries and judging with fellow judges?
AS: Which shows do you fancy judging at the most? How
EE: When I started judging in the mid-1980s, my fellow judges
about favorite countries?