Judge for the 2010 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

[tanza]

Mr. Janusz Opara from Poland is the judge for Basenjis. Anyone "across the pond" know him?

[irena]

I know him. Our Geasy has been his favourite B at shows :D.

[tanza]

I was just looking at the judging panel and there are lots of judges from overseas judging breeds this year.

Here is the complete judging panel for those interested. Also can be found on the AKC website.

Ms. Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine Spaniels (English Springer), Spaniels (Sussex)

Mrs. Donna J. Buxton Setters (Irish)

Mrs. Lowell (Arlene) K. Davis Pointers (German Shorthaired), Retrievers
(Chesapeake Bay), Retrievers (Golden), Setters (English), Spaniels (American
Water)

Mr. Dan Ericsson (Sweden) Retrievers (Labrador)

Mr. Carl Gene Liepmann Brittanys, Retrievers (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling),
Retrievers (Flat -Coated), Spaniels (Field), Spinone Italiano

Ms. Marjorie Martorella Setters (Gordon), Spaniels (Irish Water)

Mr. Carlos Navarro (Mexico) Spaniels (****er - ASCOB), Spaniels (****er -
Black), Spaniels (****er - Parti Color), Vizslas, Weimaraners

Dr. Robert D. Smith Boykin Spaniels

Dr. Donald Sturz, Jr. Pointers, Retrievers (Curly-Coated), Setters (Irish
Red & White)

Ms. Bonnie P. Threlfall Pointers (German Wirehaired), Spaniels (Clumber),
Spaniels (English ****er), Spaniels (Welsh Springer), Wirehaired Pointing
Griffons

HOUND GROUP: BREED ASSIGNMENTS:

Mrs. Houston (Toddie) Clark Dachshunds (All Varieties), Foxhounds
(English), Foxhounds (American)

Mr. Christofer Habig (Germany) Bloodhounds

Mr. W. Ronald Irving Norwegian Elkhounds

Ms. Marjorie Martorella Beagles (Both Varieties), Saluki

Mr. Janusz Opara (Poland) Basenji

Mrs. June A. Penta Otterhounds, Pharaoh Hounds,

Mrs. Gloria R. Reese Black and Tan Coonhounds, Greyhounds, Harriers, Plott
Hounds, Whippets

Dr. Robert D. Smith Bluetick Coonhounds, Redbone Coonhounds, Treeing Walker
Coonhounds

Mrs. Claire (Kitty) K. Steidel Afghan Hounds, Basset Hounds, Petit Basset
Griffon Vend?ens, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Scottish Deerhounds

Dr. Donald Sturz, Jr. Borzoi, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds

WORKING GROUP: BREED ASSIGNMENTS:

Mrs. Donna J. Buxton Alaskan Malamutes, Anatolian Shepherd Dogs,
Komondorok, Saint Bernards

Mrs. Roberta C. Davies Black Russian Terriers, Siberian Huskies

Mr. Christofer Habig (Germany) Akitas, Dogues De Bordeaux, Neapolitan
Mastiffs

Mr. Eugene W. Haupt Doberman Pinschers, Kuvaszok, Newfoundlands, Samoyeds,
Tibetan Mastiffs

Mr. Denis Kuzelj (Slovenia) Bernese Mountain Dogs, Cane Corsos, Giant
Schnauzers, Rottweilers, Standard Schnauzers

Mr. Glynn Payne (U.K.) Bullmastiffs, Great Danes, Mastiffs

Ms. Jane Roppolo Boxers, German Pinschers, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss
Mountain Dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs

Dr. Robert D. Smith Leonbergers

TERRIER GROUP: BREED ASSIGNMENTS:

Ms. Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine Airedale Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Soft
Coated Wheaten Terriers

Mr. Andrew H. Brace (U.K.) Norfolk Terriers

Mr. Dan Ericsson (Sweden) Bedlington Terriers, Scottish Terriers, West
Highland White Terriers

Mr. Peter J. Green Australian Terriers, Cesky Terriers, Dandie Dinmont
Terriers, Fox Terriers (Smooth), Kerry Blue Terriers, Welsh Terriers

Mr. Vincent T. Grosso Fox Terriers (Wire)

Mr. W. Ronald Irving (U.K.) Cairn Terriers, Norwich Terriers, Skye Terriers

Mr. Jeff Luscott (U.K.) Glen of Imaal Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers

Mrs. Lynne M. Myall American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers (Both
Varieties), Miniature Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Mr. Robert Naun Border Terriers, Irish Terriers, Lakeland Terriers,
Sealyham Terriers, Manchester Terriers (Standard)

TOY GROUP: BREED ASSIGNMENTS:

Mr. Andrew H. Brace (U.K.) Affenpinschers, Brussels Griffons, English Toy
Spaniels (All Varieties), Pomeranians

Mr. W. Everett Dean, Jr. Italian Greyhounds, Japanese Chin, Pugs, Silky
Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers

Mr. Dan Ericsson (Sweden) Pekingese

Mrs. Peggy J. Hauck Maltese, Papillons, Poodles (Toy), Shih Tzu

Mr. Janusz Opara (Poland) Chihuahuas (Both Varieties)

Mrs. June A. Penta Havanese

Mrs. Marjorie A. Tuff Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chinese Crested, Toy
Fox Terriers, Manchester Terriers (Toy), Miniature Pinschers

NON-SPORTING GROUP: BREED ASSIGNMENTS:

Mr. Vincent T. Grosso American Eskimo Dogs, Chinese Shar-Pei, L?wchen,
Shiba Inu

Mr. Christofer Habig (Germany) Tibetan Spaniels, Tibetan Terriers

Mrs. Peggy J. Hauck French Bulldogs

Mr. Glynn Payne (U.K.) Bulldogs

Mrs. Francine W. Schwartz Chow Chows, Finnish Spitz, Keeshonden, Lhasa
Apsos, Schipperkes

Mr. John R. Shoemaker Bichons Frises, Boston Terriers, Dalmatians, Poodles
(Miniature), Poodles (Standard)

Dr. Robert D. Smith Norwegian Lundehunds

HERDING GROUP: BREED ASSIGNMENTS:

Mrs. Roberta C. Davies Australian Shepherds, Canaan Dogs, Collies (Smooth),
Pyrenean Shepherds

Mr. Dan Ericsson (Sweden) Norwegian Buhunds

Mr. W. Ronald Irving (U.K.) Briards

Mr. Denis Kuzelj (Slovenia) Bearded Collies, Beaucerons

Mr. Jeff Luscott (U.K.) Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdogs, Belgian
Tervuren, Border Collies

Mr. Carlos Navarro (Mexico) German Shepherd Dogs

Mr. Janusz Opara (Poland) Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs

Mrs. June A. Penta Collies (Rough), Shetland Sheepdogs, Swedish Vallhunds

Dr. Robert D. Smith Icelandic Sheepdogs

Mr. Lawrence C. Terricone Australian Cattle Dogs, Bouviers des Flandres,
Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Old English Sheepdogs, Pulik

[Janneke]

I believe this is Mr. Opara's website.. http://liwang.republika.pl/english/index_e.html

[tanza]

Thanks Janneke

[Tiva]

Mr. Opara was judging basenjis at WDS 06 in Poland.;)

[Patty]

Pat - Janusz Opara judged our (Basenji Owners and Breeders Association) some years ago. I can't remember just how many but if you wish I can find the catalogue and tell you.

He seemed knowledgeable but was very confused about our judging procedures - not necessarily his fault but as this was an overseas appointment you would have thought he would been careful to study the UK requirements.

He was recommended by Jane Wilson Stringer (Horsleys) - you may have heard of her - she exported to the USA many times. She was one of the first in the UK to breed black and whites. Regrettably she died a few years ago.

[tanza]

Thank you Patty for the information. Yes, I can understand how judges could be confused with ring procedure. It happens here a lot when we get international judges. And I would venture to guess that even if you read the procedures, doing them "real" time can get to be a challenge.

[Patty]

Pat - Agreed. I have never accepted an overseas judging appointment - partly for that reason!

[Borbasuk]

I have judged a couple of overseas specialties and have found my efficient and helpful stewards to be worth their weight in gold; they always are of course, but with an unfamiliar system and language this is even more true.:)

[basi]

@Borbasuk:

I have judged a couple of overseas specialties and have found my efficient and helpful stewards to be worth their weight in gold; they always are of course, but with an unfamiliar system and language this is even more true.:)

That was the case with my mum also and it also helped that I was able to clue her up on the system beforehand, well as best as I could lol

[tanza]

@Borbasuk:

I have judged a couple of overseas specialties and have found my efficient and helpful stewards to be worth their weight in gold; they always are of course, but with an unfamiliar system and language this is even more true.:)

That is so true, a good ring steward is for sure worth their weight in gold regardless of the situation. I have nothing but the greatest respect for a good ring steward…... and I can image being in a situation that you are in a strange country with different judging procedures how much the judge would rely on the ring steward