HOUND
TOY
NON-SPORTING
HERDING
2026 GROUP JUDGES
HOUND
TOY
MR. MICHAEL CANALIZO | Mill Neck, New York. Michael Canalizo’ s lifelong involvement with Afghan Hounds began in 1961 with his family’ s first Grandeur dog, leading to five generations of homebred champions and a career managing the famed Grandeur Kennels. He has titled more than 100 champions, with Grandeur Afghan Hounds earning over 300 All Breed Best in Shows and 100 specialty wins. Twice honored as Kennel Review’ s“ Owner Handler of the Year,” he has judged or exhibited in more than 50 countries and is approved for over five groups. A fixture at Westminster since 1963, he has celebrated numerous wins, including a Group First in 1995, and this year marks his third judging assignment at the show.
MRS. CHARLOTTE P. PATTERSON | Destin, Florida. Charlotte Patterson purchased her first purebred dog in 1969 and bred her first litter in 1972. She later became a professional handler before beginning her judging career in 1990. Currently approved to judge four groups, she has judged extensively worldwide, including multiple National Specialties. 2026 marks her seventh Westminster assignment, with highlights including the Non Sporting Group in 2009 and the Toy Group in 2017.
NON-SPORTING
MR. EUGENE BLAKE | Tulsa, Oklahoma. Eugene Blake began his journey in dogs in 1951 as a bather at the Pink Poodle Shop in Houston, Texas, and attended his first dog show in 1955. Approved to judge the Hound Group in 1990 after a 33 year career as a professional handler, he is now licensed for four groups: Sporting, Hound, Toy, and Non Sporting. He has judged extensively across the United States and internationally, including the Afghan Hound World Congress and assignments in Asia, South America, and Australia. Widely recognized as a pioneer for Black professionals in the sport of purebred dogs, Gene has inspired generations through his achievements and mentorship. This marks his third Westminster assignment, including judging the Hound Group in 2022 where his winner went on to Best in Show.
HERDING
MRS. SHEREE MOSES COMBS | Wardensville, West Virginia. Sheree Moses Combs began working with German Shepherds as a teenager, first as a breeder‐owner‐handler and later as a professional handler. She has produced more than 250 champions, including Ch. Kaleef’ s Mercedes— Reserve Best in Show at both Westminster and the 2024 AKC National Championship— and bred the topproducing dam in German Shepherd history. Her dogs have excelled in performance and service work, and she has also bred champion Cavaliers, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and Labrador Retrievers. An AKC Herding Group Breeder of the Year and multi‐award honoree from the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, she now serves as the club’ s education co‐chair. Since becoming a judge in 2012, she has officiated across the U. S., Canada, and Mexico, including National Specialties. This is her third Westminster assignment.
24 THE WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2026