MS. PATRICIA L. PROCTOR | Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts. Patricia Proctor grew up with Labrador Retrievers and began her career in Junior Showmanship, later training and showing several breeds in obedience and conformation. Her long connection to Westminster spans decades, from competing at Madison Square Garden to assisting top handlers, professionally exhibiting dogs, and serving as an AKC Field Representative and Director. Now a member of The Westminster Kennel Club, she has attended nearly every show over the years in various roles. Since retiring from AKC, she has judged for five years, including Junior Showmanship, and this year marks her first Westminster judging assignment.
MRS. SHARON ANN REDMER | Whitmore Lake, Michigan. Sharon Redmer’ s journey in dog sports began with a shelter rescue puppy that sparked her love of training and competition. In 1972 she acquired her first Belgian Tervuren, launching a lifelong devotion to the breed as a breeder, exhibitor, and judge. An AKC approved obedience judge since the late 1970s, she expanded her judging to Belgian breeds in 1991 and has since officiated across five continents, including numerous National Specialties and the AKC National Championship in obedience, rally, and breed. She is uniquely honored as the only Westminster judge to have officiated in both the Masters Obedience Championship and at the breed and group level. 2026 will mark her fifth Westminster assignment, with prior appointments in obedience and conformation, including the Herding Group.
MR. JOSEPH RENO | Edison, New Jersey. Joseph Reno received his first Rough Collie at age 17 and quickly developed a passion for conformation and breeding, eventually producing more than 40 champions while breeding on a small scale. Approved to judge Collies in 1996, he has officiated at the Collie National twice and judged in Brazil, Germany, and Finland. Currently licensed for the Herding Group, Best in Show, and numerous Non‐Sporting breeds, he brings decades of experience to the sport. This year marks his first Westminster Kennel Club judging assignment, fulfilling a lifelong dream inspired by his early visits to Madison Square Garden.
MR. GAVIN ROBERTSON | Oxfordshire, England. Gavin Robertson began showing Beagles as a child, along with his mother, and later bred his first Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen in the mid‐1980s, sparking a lifelong passion for breeding and exhibiting. Over the years he has been involved with a wide range of breeds across all groups, with dogs he has owned or bred winning at World Dog Shows, Best in Show at Crufts, and Best in Show at Westminster. Approved to judge since 1999, he is licensed for breeds across all seven groups and Best in Show, with assignments around the world. This year marks his first Westminster Kennel Club judging assignment, a milestone he describes as feeling“ like a child at Christmas.”
MR. EKARAT SANGKUNAKUP | Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Ekarat Sangkunakup became involved in the sport of dogs during his college years and has bred, owned, and exhibited numerous breeds under the United Kennels name, including Chow Chows, Pomeranians, Shih Tzu, Dobermans, English Pointers, Smooth Fox Terriers, American Cockers, Golden Retrievers, Pugs, and Whippets. An AKC and FCI All Breed judge licensed for all groups and Best in Show, he has officiated at National Specialties worldwide, including the World Dog Show. Having attended Westminster since 1982 as a visitor and exhibitor, he now looks forward to the honor of judging at this prestigious event.
MR. BRUCE SCHWARTZ | Los Angeles, California. Bruce Schwartz has been active in dog sports for over 55 years, beginning with Miniature Schnauzers before establishing a distinguished career with Welsh Terriers, including ownership of the legendary Ch. Anasazi Billy the Kid. He has bred and shown multiple Best in Show winners and serves as President of the Montgomery County Kennel Club, Show Chairman of the Santa Barbara Kennel Club, and President of the Moorpark Kennel Club. An international judge with assignments across four continents, he has judged the Terrier Group at both Westminster and the AKC National Championship. His Westminster judging assignments include 2006, 2014, 2017, and 2026.
30 THE WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2026