Meet our 2020 Judges

Agility

Todd Buchla, Marietta, GA

Classes:
Friday: Standard – All Classes including Premier; JWW – All Classes (no Premier); FAST – All Classes
Saturday: Standard – All Classes (No Premier); JWW – All Classes including Premier; T2B
Sunday: (DCA) Standard – All Classes including Premier; JWW- All Classes including Premier; T2B; FAST – All Classes

Dr. J Charles Garvin, Korcula Kennels (Dalmatians), Marion, OH
Dalmatian Club of the Piedmont Specialty

Gale Passman, Hollyhead (Dalmatians), Westfield, IN
Classes: DCA Sweepstakes

In 1987 my husband and I decided that a Dalmatian was the breed that was best suited to us and our young family. We found a local breeder, Helen Siegel of Wedgewood Dalmatians, and acquired our first Dal, Wedgewood Dalfox Celly, CD, TT. At the time that Kelly became a part of our family I had no intention of showing her. But through the encouragement of Helen and my husband I found a hobby that I absolutely loved, mostly because I love dogs in general, and it all began. There have been a handful of litters through the years, and a few Hollyhead champions. I have dabbled in obedience and agility along the way. Membership in the Dalmatian Club of Greater Indianapolis has offered a lot of opportunity to meet like-minded folks, and a new membership in the Central Indiana Kennel Club is broadening my horizons in an all-breed sort of way. Along the way I have had the opportunity and pleasure of judging Sweepstakes at several regional specialties. I always, and still do, consider myself a student of the Dalmatian breed. It is an honor to have been chosen to judge the Sweepstakes entry for the DCA 2020 National Specialty!

Betty Pirs, Roadpartner (Dalmatians), Ponoka, AB, Canada
Classes: DCA Futurity

Our first Dalmatian joined our family in 1982 and his typical Dalmatian enthusiasm took us into the world of dog sports. Since then we have bred and exhibited Dalmatians under the Roadpartner kennel name, competing in conformation, obedience, agility, scent hurdle, and road trials in both Canada and the US. We are proud of our Dalmatians’ achievements as Best in Specialty, Best in Show, Group, and High in Trial winners but even more as healthy, happy family members.

Patrick D Jones, Ravin (Dalmatians), Billings, MT
Classes: DCA Dog classes, Non-Regular classes

Judy English Murray, Bay Colony (Dalmatians), Walkerton, IN
Classes: DCA Bitch classes, Best of Breed

Cheryl Fales Steinmetz,Cheshire (Dalmatians), Fredonia, KY
Classes: Junior Showmanship

Carol Mett, Savannah, GA
Classes: Novice A, Novice B, Beginner Novice A, Beginner Novice B, Preferred Novice

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Carol was fortunate to grow up in a dog friendly family with a variety of breeds and sizes. Her mother knew Carol was destined for the dog world when she preferred playing with stuffed animals over dolls. Carol began grooming after receiving a miniature poodle for high school graduation. She took her poodle to college with her, which, little did she know then, would turn out to be the beginning of a life-long career in the dog business. Carol’s interest in competitive obedience began when she gave her daughter, Lisa, a cute black Labrador Retriever puppy for her 12th birthday. The cute began to wear off after 2 weeks, and they soon realized they had a bundle of fur that was outsmarting the entire family. Carol enrolled the puppy in a local obedience class and transformed that cute puppy into her first Utility dog.

Over the past 30 years Carol has shown Labradors, Golden Retrievers and her late husband’s Dalmatians in Obedience, Rally, Agility and Field competition. Carol stewarded for Jon for several years, decided to join him on the other side of the clipboard and became an Obedience judge in 1999. In addition to judging numerous regional specialties through the years, Carol has been on the Obedience judging panel of many National Specialties – 2002 Borzoi Club of America, 2002 Golden Retriever Club of America, 2003 Vizsla Club of America, 2007 Great Dane Club of America, 2008 American Belgian Tervuren Club, 2008 American Spaniel Club, 2011 American Boxer Club, 2013 Newfoundland Club of America, 2013 English Springer Spaniel Association, 2015 Newfoundland Club of America, 2015 Australian Terrier Club of America and 2016 United States Australian Shepherd Association and was honored to be selected for the 2012 AKC National Obedience Invitational judging panel.

Carol currently lives with three Labradors and a Dalmatian. When Carol is not judging, training and showing, she is busy with the day-to-day operation of her boarding, daycare and training facility. It is her desire that every dog owner love and appreciate their canine companion as much as she does. Carol has watched amazing friendships develop among many of her students, all because of their love of dogs.

Nanci Hayes, North Conway, NH
Classes: Graduate Novice, Open A, Open B, Graduate Open, Preferred Open, Utility A, Utility B, Preferred Utility, Versatility, Non-Reg, Brace Class, Non-Reg, Team 1, Non-Reg, Team 2, Non-Reg, Veteran

Nanci has always had Dalmatians. Influenced by her grandparents who had a Dalmatian, she got her first in 1976. In 1992 she got her second Dalmatian, Max, and became involved in competitive obedience. Max and Nanci earned their CD in 1994. In 2000 Nanci purchased her third Dalmatian, Lucky. Lucky and Nanci competed and earned their CD in 2003. Lucky was working toward her CDX when her life tragically ended. Fortunately, Lucky’s first litter of puppies included two Dalmatians that Nanci kept. Blizzard and Dancer started their training immediately and were competing in Rally Obedience by the age of one. Both Blizzard and Dancer have received their CD’s, and both have their Rally RAE titles. When Dancer received her Rally RAE title she was one of only ten Dalmatians in the country to finish that title. In 2010 Dancer was recognized by the Dalmatian Club of America Top Spot by placing in the top 10 highest scoring Dalmatians in the country for open obedience. Four of her Dalmatians received their Therapy Dog certifications and did therapy work. Nanci trains under Pat Scribner, Sherry Briton, Kris Thober, Lynn Mayo, and Judge Donna Cassista. Nanci has been teaching Rally Obedience for three years and has attended several Rally-O seminars. Nanci is a member of Saccarappa Obedience Club, The Dalmatian Club of America, The Dalmatian Club of Southern New England, and The Carroll County Kennel Club. Nanci is the owner of Yankee Appraisals and enjoys skiing, snowmobiling, and time on Sebago Lake.

Nanci Hayes, North Conway, NH
Classes: Novice A/B, Intermediate, Advanced A/B , Excellent A/B, Master, RAE (entries for both Adv B & Exc B), RACH (entries for Adv B, Exc B & Master)

Lisa Bailey, Ball Ground, GA
(Trial AM: Novice Container, Interior Exterior & Buried)
(Trial PM: Novice Container, Interior Exterior, & Buried Advanced Buried, Exterior)

Lisa has been passionate about dogs and animals since she was a young girl in the youth 4H program. Over the years she has trained and titled multiple dogs in Obedience, Agility, Rally, Conformation & Scentwork. She established herself by becoming a mentor for the Animal Behavior College, and has become certified in Telling T-Touch, Karon Prior Method, and most recently as a NACSW Certified Nosework Instructor. Currently Lisa is licensed to judge AKC Scentwork Trials as well as AKC CGC, AKC Trick Dog, and AKC Farm Dog, In addition, Lisa is approved as a Performance Scent Work judge. Lisa’s achievements continue with the Founding of Radda’s K9 Campus’s in Talking Rock, Ga.

Cindy Roberts, Calera, AL
(Trial AM: Excellent Exterior, Buried)
(Trial PM: Advanced Interior Exterior)

Cindy is the founder and lead trainer of Use Your Nose LLC. She is an AKC Scent Work Judge, AKC Farm Dog and ATT Evaluator, NACSW ORT Judge, Certified Nose Work Instructor, Certified Bio-Detection Dog Trainer, Certified Canine Fitness Trainer, and Dog Mom to Nibbler, Rocket, Dobby, Obi, and Wookiee.