DR . DANIEL W . DOWLING of Hope , Maine . Growing up on a farm , Dr . Daniel Dowling was surrounded by Basset Hounds , German Shepherd Dogs , and Poodles , but when it came to showing , he started with a wonderful Borzoi . He went on to breed multiple champions , including Best in Show and Hound Group winning offspring .
After 38 years of practicing veterinary medicine and surgery , he has more time for his interests in judging purebred dogs and has been approved by the American Kennel Club for over 25 years . Judging has taken him all over the world , including Australia , China , Denmark , and Japan .
Most recently , Dan and his wife have bred and shown Smooth Fox Terriers , and currently share their home with a Parson Russell Terrier .
MR . BRANDON EDGE of Raleigh , North Carolina . Mr . Brandon Edge began participating in dog shows in 2006 after years of exhibiting beef cattle in 4-H . Since 2007 , he has finished over 50 Bulldogs and French Bulldogs , and has been a breeder-owner-handler for multiple Best in Specialty show winners and top 20 contenders in both breeds under the “ CuttingEdge ” prefix . He is still actively breeding on a limited basis Bulldogs , French Bulldogs , and American Cocker Spaniels .
Brandon began judging in 2017 and is approved to judge most of the Non-Sporting Group , American Cocker Spaniels , and Junior Showmanship . This is his first judging assignment at Westminster .
MR . EDWARD A . FOJTIK of Ingleside , Illinois . Mr . Edward Fojtik has been around Giant Schnauzers his entire life , his parents breeding Giants in 1969 under the Tanglewood prefix . He has bred and shown over 50 champions and produced six All Breed Best in Show winning Giants , including a Tanglewood stud dog producing one World Champion son .
He attended Westminster for the first time in 2001 , where he was awarded an Award of Merit with his girl Ebby . Winning several Awards of Merit and Best of Opposite awards over the years , his first Best of Breed win came in 2016 . That same year he was awarded the coveted Winkie award for Owner- Handler of the Year .
He is President and Show Chairman of the Wisconsin and Dubuque Kennel Clubs ( AKA the Renaissance Cluster ). After applying for his Judges License with the AKC in 2018 , he has worked his way through the Working Group and most of the Sporting Group . This is his first Westminster assignment .
MR . LEE GROGAN of Belfast , Ireland . Mr . Lee Grogan grew up with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels , and it is thanks to Cavaliers that he first entered the world of pedigree dogs at the age of 12 .
Lee has had champions in Japanese Chin , Chihuahua , and Saluki . His greatest passion in life is the Japanese Chin . He has handled his Japanese Chin to Crufts Best of Breed , National Specialty , Best in Show and Group wins .
Lee has served in various roles for the Japanese Chin Club of Ireland , from committee member , to treasurer , and secretary . He has also produced a yearbook for the UK Japanese Chin Club .
Lee began attending canine seminars in his early teens and began judging at open show level . By age 27 , he was approved by the Irish Kennel Club to judge the Toy Group at championship level and is currently approved to judge over 30 breeds at championship level . Lee has had the great honor to be invited to judge at breed / group specialty shows as well as all breed shows around the world .
MR . RICHARD TODD JACKSON of La Plata , Maryland . Mr . Richard Todd Jackson ’ s love for dogs began in his childhood , but it was the Chow Chow that later stole his heart . Growing up in South Florida , his family mostly owned Dachshunds , but they also found space for a Samoyed and even a rescued Saint Bernard . While in college , Richard started working part-time as a kennel assistant . Unbeknownst to him , he had joined the staff of the Tsang-Po Kennels , which is a kennel that is worldrenowned for its Chow Chows .
Today , Richard remains a proud breeder , owner-handler , and an active member of his local All-Breed
Club and three Breed Clubs . He believes in giving back to the sport , which is one of the reasons he also serves as the Show Chair for six shows , all while becoming an AKC Certified Ring Steward .
Although the Chow Chow holds a special place in his heart , Richard and his husband also breed , own , and handle Group-winning Basset Hounds , Tibetan Spaniels , and the latest addition to the family , a Biewer Terrier . Richard ’ s genuine love for dogs , judging and kindness to exhibitors have led to frequent judging assignments throughout the United States and abroad .
WESTMINSTER . There ’ s only one ® 29