HERDING
MR . THOMAS W . COEN of Great Barrington , Massachusetts , became interested in the world of purebred dogs at the age of twelve and whelped his first Shetland Sheepdog litter in 1964 while still in high school on Long Island , New York . Over the past five decades of breeding Shetland Sheepdogs , Madega has bred or owned seven National Specialty Best of Breed winners , eight All-Breed Best in Show winners , and more than twenty Register of Merit producers , including the breed ’ s All-Time Top Sire . After graduating from college , Mr . Coen taught art on the Junior High level outside of Woodstock , New York . In 1970 he obtained his handler ’ s license , and that was the beginning of an exciting career that spanned thirty years .
In 2000 , he retired from handling and received his AKC judging license . He is approved to judge the Herding Group , Dachshunds , and Best in Show . Mr . Coen has had the honor of judging Best of Breed at the Collie and Australian Shepherd National Specialties and twice at the Shetland Sheepdog National Specialty . His judging assignments and his “ Quest For Quality ” seminar have taken him to Canada , Japan , China , Denmark , Norway , and Brazil . This is his third judging assignment at Westminster .
SPORTING
MR . FRANK KANE of Cleveland , England , acquired his first dog , a blue roan Cocker Spaniel , as a schoolboy in 1961 . His involvement in the dog world grew , adding American Cocker Spaniels and Sealyham Terriers to his household . Mr . Kane sits on The Kennel Club Board and is the chairman of the Breed Standards Committee .
Mr . Kane is the author of four books and a member of the television commentary team at Crufts . He judged his first championship show in 1974 in the United Kingdom . He has judged five groups and Best in Show at Crufts . In the United States , he is approved to judge the Sporting Group , most of the Hound , Working , Terrier , Toy , Non-Sporting , and Herding breeds , and Best in Show . This is his first Westminster judging assignment .
WORKING
MRS . PAULA NYKIEL of Washington , Missouri , came to the judging world from the ranks of the breeder / owner-handler . She has been involved with the sport of purebred dogs for over 47 years . She has bred over 50 Pointer Champions under her Sydmar banner , including the breed ’ s All-Time Top Producer , Ch . Sydmar the Heartless Wench . Paula owner-handled her Pointers to the # 1 Ranking in 1978 , 1979 , and 1982 . She started judging in 1990 , leaving breeding and showing behind . She is approved to judge the Sporting , Working , and Hound Groups . Paula considers among her most important assignments the 31 National Specialties she has been honored to judge in several breeds . Other highlights include judging the Sporting and Working Groups at the Westminster Kennel Club . International assignments include Sweden , Ireland , Canada , Mexico , the United Kingdom , Newfoundland , Italy , Columbia , and Australia . Paula is a lifetime member of the American Pointer Club , past Director , and Futurity / Maturity Chairman . A founding / lifetime member of Missouri Rhineland Kennel Club and Gateway Sporting Dog Association . This will be Mrs . Nykiel ’ s eighth Westminster assignment and fourth Group assignment .
TERRIER
MRS . CONNIE H . CLARK from Rio Del Mar , California , has been an owner / breeder / handler of Wire Fox Terriers under the Cricklewood prefix . She later became a professional handler specializing in Terriers . In addition to Wire Fox Terriers , she has bred Irish , Airedale , and Smooth Fox terriers . Mrs . Clark handled Airedale Terrier , Ch Tartan Scottshire Cowboy in 1997 to Best of Breed at Westminster . Mrs . Clark has served as the AKC Delegate for the American Fox Terrier Club since 2004 . And is currently on the Board of Governors for the American Fox Terrier Club after serving two terms as President .
Mrs . Clark was approved to judge in 2007 and currently judges the Terrier Group , multiple Toy breeds , Poodles , Miniature American Shepherds , Junior Showmanship , and Best in Show . She has judged national and regional specialties here and abroad , as well as at the World Dog Show in Paris . Her other international assignments include the Societe Centrale Canine , Finnish Winner Show Helsinki , Manitoba Kennel Association , Korea Kennel Federation , Alicante Canine Society , and American Staffordshire Terrier National Specialty of Spain . She has also judged at the all-terrier Montgomery County Kennel Club Dog Show and other prestigious dog shows around the U . S . This is her second judging assignment at Westminster .
WESTMINSTER There ’ s only one ®