2023 BEST IN SHOW JUDGE
MS . ELIZABETH “ BETH ” SWEIGART of Bowmansville , Pennsylvania , was born on Long Island and has been involved with dogs all her life . First , with the Labrador Retrievers that her father used for duck hunting on Great South Bay , and later , after marriage , she started breeding and showing Labradors under the Yarrow prefix in the 1960s . She started breeding Norwich and Norfolk terriers in the 1970s and Affenpinschers in the 1990s . Ms . Sweigart has bred National Specialty , Best in Show winners , and top-ranked dogs .
MS . ELIZABETH SWEIGART
As a highly successful professional handler , she piloted dogs to Westminster Group wins in the Terrier , Toy , and Sporting Groups . She handled top-winning Toy and Sporting dogs in the U . S . and the number one dog all-breeds Ch . Cracknor Cause Celebre , a Norfolk Terrier who also won Best in Show at Crufts Dog Show in 2005 .
Ms . Sweigart is approved to judge the Sporting , Terrier , and Toy groups , and several Working , Herding , and Non-Sporting breeds , Best in Show , and Junior Showmanship . This will be her sixth judging assignment at Westminster , including the Sporting Group in 2018 .
WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN ASKED TO JUDGE BEST IN SHOW AT WESTMINSTER ?
Of course , when I was asked to judge Best in Show at Westminster this year I was in a state of shock because usually , that invitation comes at least a year in advance . So , when the powers that be got in touch with me , I hardly expected to be asked to judge Best in Show in 2023 , but needless to say , I was both honored and very proud to be chosen . The dream of every breeder , owner , or handler is to win Best in Show at Westminster , and the dream of each judge is to be invited to judge Best in Show at Westminster . I think it ’ s on everyone ’ s wish list .
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF THIS ASSIGNMENT ?
Having witnessed numerous Best in Show competitions at Westminster , it seems that the most difficult challenge is selecting which dog represents its breed the best . It is always a difficult decision to make when you have several outstanding dogs from which to choose . Still , it is a good decision because the quality is usually so high that it is very difficult , but in a good way .
ELIZABETH SWEIGART
WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2023