Judges
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I am a second-generation American Kennel Club dog show person as my mother started in the sport of dogs in 1932. Dogs and dog shows, field events, and obedience trials have always been a part of my life. . I have been involved with Curly Coated Retrievers since 1975 and I am an AKC judge of all sporting breeds and several hound breeds.
I have been a member of the Curly Coated Retriever Club of America (CCRCA) since 1980. The American club was founded in 1979. I am a past Treasurer and Newsletter Editor for the CCRCA. My father was a past president and my mother was a charter member of the CCRCA. I have been a member of the Curly Coated Retriever Club of America who has served on the AKC Standard Revision Committee, the AKC Breed Video Committee, and the current AKC Illustrated Standard Committee.
I have been a member of the CCRCA Judges Education Committee since its inception and I am currently serving as Chairman of the Judges Education Committee. I have also written numerous published articles on the breed and acted a presenter at many breed specific forums and educational seminars.
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I have “been” in dogs all my life. My first dog was an American Cocker Spaniel called “Mary’s Yogi Bear” – aka “Yogi”. I owned two additional American Cocker Spaniels before I found Curlies with a few Golden Retrievers in the mix . During a few summers in the late 70’s, I would spend time at my grandmother’s house where I would learn about handling different sporting breeds. She saw a Curly at a show and it was love at first site. During one of those summers I was introduced to Curlies and I had fallen in love too. My family received our first curly in 1981. We had several over the years where I handled them and my mom and I bred a few litters until I went to college in 1987.
In 1992, I graduated from a University and as a graduation gift I received my very first curly, named “Edmund” (Mathel Count of Monte Cristo). He was pet quality but he got me back into the world of dogs and wanting to show again. I have had 3 other Curlies since Edmund. I currently have two USA Champion Curlies – Ch Mathel Kettle Valley RN and Ch Mathel Landfall. As time as gone on, I have started to do other activities with my dogs such as Rally and will try to do field work and get working certificates on both of my dogs.
I have been a judge only a short time, since 2010, as the process for becoming a judge in the US is arduous and time consuming. The hardest part is having Curlies show up for me to be evaluated by the AKC. I only judge Curly Coated Retrievers and Junior Showmanship at this time.