Conformation Judges

Introducing this year’s conformation judges

There are five judges in the breed section this year and this assignment is every bit as prestigious for them as it is for the dogs an exhibitors. This year we have four highly experienced international officials who will judge the breed classes. The stakes classes will be judged by Canterbury’s Chris Graham.

Mrs Annika Ullviet-Moe (Sweden)

Judging: Best in Show, All Gundog Breeds and Group Specials, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, All Schnauzers and Lhasa Apsos

Mrs Annika Ullviet-Moe

I have been actively showing and breeding for 35 years. Started in with Rough and Smooth Collies through my husband - for myself it has been American Cockers and English Cockers. Started with Americans with 5 USA Champions and was winning many BIS and Groups - had group winning Cockers, and some Best in Show winning Shih Tzus. For 25 years we have bred English Springers and Lhasa Apso, and been top breeders for a number of years. I was first authorized as a judge for all Spaniel breeds in 1984, and was authorized All breeds in 2001. I have judged in almost all European countries, USA, Canada, Australia and in Asia.

Mr Eugene Blake (USA)

Judging: All Hound Breeds and Group Specials, AH Non Sporting Breeds not otherwise listed and Group Specials, Australian Silkies, Bichons, Cavalier King Charles, All Chihuahuas, Griffons, Maltese, Papillons, Pugs and Yorkshire Terriers

Mr Eugene Blake I started working with dogs in 1954 as a dog bather at a French Poodle Shop in Houston, Texas. I attended my first dog show in 1955 and then decided I wanted to show dogs. I became an All-Breed licensed handler in 1968. I professionally handled dogs for 33 years then I retired and became a judge. During that time I bred Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, Italian Greyhounds, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Salukis and Afghan Hounds. I never bred more then 5 litters of any of one breed. As a handler I helped many of my clients with their breeding programs including choosing studs and picking puppies. I started judging in 1990 with the Hound Group. Since then I have added the Sporting, Toy, and Non-Sporting Groups, as well as Best In Show, Junior Showmanship and Miscellaneous. I have judged in Australia, Canada, Finland, Sweden and Thailand. As of now, I judge between 60 and 70 shows a year.

Mrs Marit Sunde (Norway)

Judging: All Toy Breeds not otherwise listed and Group Specials, All Utility Breeds not otherwise listed and Group Specials, Kerry Blues, Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers, Dalmatians, Schipperkes, German Spitz, Boston Terriers, Keeshonds and Great Danes

Mrs Marit Sunde

Breeder of Boxers since 1960, Bogerudmyra Kennel. Started breeding Bullmastiffs in 1969, as one of the pioneers of the breed in Norway. Became well known and respected for breeding these in Norway as well as abroad. Changed from Bullmastiffs to Boston Terriers in 1980, and is now breeding Boxers and Boston Terriers only. Multiple International Champions with exports all over the world. Took BOB at Crufts in 2002. FCI judge since 1971. Today is authorized as an All breeds judge and is much used in Europe, Ireland, UK, Russia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Israel, US, Brazil, Peru, Australia, and New Zealand. Has had many roles in different canine organizations since 1964, and also an honorary member of many different dog clubs.

Mrs Lynne Lee (New South Wales)

Judging: All Terrier Breeds not otherwise listed and Group Specials, All Working Breeds and Group Specials, Tibetan Terriers, Tibetan Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs

Mrs Lynne Lee

Lynne has had a long involvement in Standard Dachshunds, both Smooth and Long Coat, Shih Tzus, Dobermanns and Whippets and grew up in a family associated with Terriers in Australia. First licensed to Judge in 1979, she is also approved to award CACIBs and Judges BIS by FCI. Has had the honour of awarding Challenge Certificates in the United Kingdom and was the first person to award Championship Points to the Thai Ridgeback Dog in Thailand when the breed was first recognised by FCI. She has judged extensively at both Allbreeds and Specialty level in the following countries: Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand , Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Chile, UK, Slovenia, South Africa, USA, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia. Lynne has had over 25 years in Kennel Club involvement.

Mr Chris Graham (Christchurch)

Judging: Puppy, New Zealand Bred and Best in Show Winners Stakes - All Heats and Finals

Mr Chris Graham

I first started showing dogs in 1978 when I got my first English Setter. I have bred only a few dogs (under my Kennel Name of Windsor Park), but with some success, having an "in show" winning home bred bitch here in NZ and also exporting to Australia. I became involved in club management in 1978 when I went onto the committees of the English Setter Club and the Southern Gundog Society. Since then I spent 10 years as the Secretary/Treasurer of the ESC and went on to be Vice president and then President of SGS. I also was on the committee of the Canterbury Branch of the Judges Association for several years. I first became involved in judging dogs in 1983 when I judged my first Ribbon Parade. I gained my Gundog Group in 1987 and am now able to judge at Championship level Groups 3,4,5,6 & 7. I have judged all these groups in throughout NZ and have also judged in Australia.