THE INTERVIEW | 2026
THE INTERVIEW | 2026
Best In Show Judge
DAVID FITZPATRICK of East Berlin, Pennsylvania
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY TO BE SELECTED AS THE BEST IN SHOW JUDGE FOR WESTMINSTER’ S 150TH ANNIVERSARY? Westminster has always held a special place in my heart. So much has always revolved around it, from trying to have dogs good enough to compete to making sure they were in prime condition in February. To be the Best in Show judge at this 150th show makes me feel very nostalgic, emotional and grateful to the good people that helped me achieve my success to get to this place. I do wish many were still with us to enjoy this moment.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF THIS ASSIGNMENT? Keeping cool, calm and collected so I can really be in the moment could be a challenge. The group judges will competently judge each dog, so I expect to have a great lineup. Best in Show judging on this level will come down to comparing my mental ideal of one breed against another. Hopefully, the dogs will be showing correctly for their breed and exhibiting proper temperament. At this level, you really have to split hairs.
CAN YOU SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY IN THE WORLD OF DOG SPORTS AND HOW IT LED TO THIS HONOR? I came from a dogless family. I was obsessed with all things dog as a child. I started assisting handlers and working to learn about dogs at 14. My passion turned into a career as a handler, to becoming a breeder, and then to a breeder and judge. I have competed in the Westminster Best in Show ring on nine occasions. Good fortune brought two Best in Show wins, one Reserve Best in Show, and nine Group Firsts, as well as many placements, for which I am grateful. I am pretty familiar with being in that ring, so this will be a full circle moment!
HOW HAS THE SPORT OF PUREBRED DOGS EVOLVED SINCE YOU FIRST BECAME INVOLVED? The sport has evolved in many ways as has the world. The days of large kennels is a distant memory as well as dog shows being on the weekend. More shows, instant results, and social media have all had a big impact on the culture of dog shows.
HOW DOES YOUR WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE IN THE SPORT AS A PROFESSIONAL HANDLER, EXHIBITOR, BREEDER, CLUB OFFICER, AND PREVIOUS BEST IN SHOW WINNER IMPACT YOUR DECISIONS WHILE JUDGING? Having competed in thousands of Best in Show finals, I do believe you develop your eye by seeing these great dogs through the years and sizing them up as competition. You learn what it takes to be a winner. Winning Westminster is a life-changing event. I hope this year’ s lucky handler appreciates it and is ready for the whirlwind that follows!
ARE THERE ANY TRENDS OR CHANGES IN BREEDING, TRAINING, OR PRESENTATION THAT YOU FIND ESPECIALLY EXCITING? Handlers today often breed their own winners; gone are the days of big kennels providing dog after dog to show. To stay on top, you might need to have your own program. It’ s a good thing for everyone in the sport to know what it is like to breed a dog, whelp the litter, raise the pups up to be good pets, and show dogs and experience the ups and downs that go along with that. It definitely makes one appreciate the dogs more when you’ ve done it all.
TELL US SOMETHING FUN THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’ T KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT IS UNRELATED TO DOGS AND DOG SHOWS. I enjoy traveling and working in the garden. Most of what I do is related to the dogs, one way or another. I’ ve devoted my life to the dogs and the sport, so it’ s difficult to find much not intertwined. It’ s been fun and challenging and I would not dream of changing my path.
22 THE WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2026