HERDING
SPORTING
WORKING
TERRIER
HERDING
MR . MICHAEL FAULKNER of Center Cross , Virginia . The sport of purebred dogs has been an integral part of Mr . Michael Faulkner ’ s life . As a youngster he was active in Junior Showmanship and quickly established a love for the Golden Retriever and Field Spaniel breeds .
Michael has owned , bred , and exhibited numerous multiple Best in Show winning Golden Retrievers along with owning and breeding champion Field Spaniels , Pointers , English Springer Spaniels , Black & Tan Coonhounds , and Pugs . Michael continues his Golden Retriever breeding program with his partner , Dr . Ann Greenbank , under the Verdoro prefix , and spends countless hours mentoring new judges on several of the Gundog breeds .
Michael is approved to judge all Sporting , Herding , and Hound breeds , as well as numerous Toy and Working breeds . He is proud of his multiple national specialty assignments , international judging experiences , and multiple invitations to judge at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club .
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 eighth judging assignment at Westminster .
SPORTING
DAVID L KITTREDGE of Rochester , New York . Mr . David Kittredge has been actively involved in purebred dogs since 1972 , when he purchased his first Cocker Spaniel for show and breeding . From then until 1996 , he bred and co-bred many champions under the Kittcar prefix , as and handled some top winners .
David has been an approved judge since 1997 , and currently judges the Sporting , Toy , and Non- Sporting groups , as well as Miscellaneous classes , Junior Showmanship and Best in Show . Some of the most memorable events in his judging career have been judging abroad in Great Britain , Europe , Scandinavia , China , Russia , South Korea , and Australia , as well as the honor of judging his own breed seven times at American Spaniel Club National events .
This will be his third Westminster judging assignment .
WORKING
MR . RICK GSCHWENDER of Nampa , Idaho . Mr . Rick Gschwender has been active in the dog show world since 1979 . First with Rombo Bouviers and later under Rendezvous Bouviers when he married Debra in 1989 . He has produced National Specialty winners and multiple group winners .
Rick is approved to judge the Herding , Working , Sporting , and Non-Sporting Groups , as well as Best in Show . He has had the honor of twice judging the Bouvier des Flandres National Specialty ; Best of Breed at the Australian Shepherd National Specialty ; the Canaan Dog , Komondor , and the Giant Schnauzers National Specialties , and The Westminster Kennel Club , judging both Herding and Working breeds , and the Herding Group in 2006 .
TERRIER
MS . PATRICIA KEENAN of Chehalis , Washington . Ms . Patricia Keenan was born into the wonderful world of show dogs as a third-generation fancier of multiple Terrier breeds , Beagles , and now Brussels Griffons . She walked into the ring with her first dog at the age of three , and 50 years later has been a successful breeder-owner-handler and was a Professional Handler for a short time as well . Patty was a successful Junior Handler , qualifying and competing at Westminster every year she was eligible . Never one to be too far away from animals , she is the Hospital Administrator for Timberland Veterinary Hospital . A West Highland White Terrier owned by her mother and grandmother was Best in Show at Westminster in 1962 . This is her third Westminster assignment . Her mother also judged the Terrier Group 21 years ago .
WESTMINSTER . There ’ s only one ® 27