MIKAEL NILSSON, SWEDEN
“I am a Poodle breeder of all sizes since 1993 together with my late mother, Ruby Lindeman under the Kudos prefix.
I have showed dogs to many top awards, such as Best in Show at Crufts and the World show with the white Standard Poodle Ch Topscore Contradiction. I have owned, showed or bred Top Dogs all breeds 8 times in various countries. We bred three black Miniature Poodles that won the group at WDS’s. The latest one was Ch Kudos Firework that was reserve BIS at the World show in Milan.
I have co-owned many top winning Pomeranians that won groups and all breed Bests in Show. Ch Belliver Unexpected Dream won the Toy Group at Crufts. I have also co-owned several top winning Afghan Hounds.
I am currently judging FCI groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10 and various breeds in all groups. I am on SKK’s all rounder program with the goal to be an all breeds judge. I have judged many specialities all over the world. To judge at Poodle Club of America was very memorable as the first non-American for 50 years and the youngest judge ever. Another judging appointment that I truly cherish is judging the Standard Poodles at the World show in Amsterdam.
I have been working with dogs many years both as a professional groomer and currently as a handling and grooming instructor and teacher under Mikael Nilsson Showdoogs.
I am really looking forward to judge the prestigious Split shows, perhaps joining the dancing too!”
YVONNE SAVARD, CANADA
Yvonne started in dogs with Bouvier des Flandres as a Junior in 1969. The love for Bouviers and dog shows remained with her from that day forward. Breeding Bouviers under the prefix ‘BARBU Perm Reg’d’, JBB, and BARJEN, she has had many exciting wins at the American National Bouvier Specialty, the earliest being in 1975 with Best of Winners. She was also the owner of the Top Dog all Breeds in Canada in 1984. Yvonne has bred and shown multiple Best in Show winners in Canada and the US. She bred and owned various #1 Bouviers in Canada and the USA. Although her focus was Bouviers, she has owned and shown Irish Setters, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Pekingese, and presently Affenpinscher. She is proud to say her current Affenpinscher won BIS 3 at the World Dog Show 2023 in Geneva.
She began her judging career in 1996 and is an approved AKC and CKC All Breeds Judge. She has had the great honor of judging the American National Bouvier Specialty, the Canadian National Bouvier Specialty, and the New Zealand Bouvier Specialty. Yvonne has served on various Breed Health Committees and is an approved Bouvier Breed Mentor. She has judged numerous Breed Specialties including the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America Regional, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherd ASCA shows, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky, Boston Terrier, American and English Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinscher, Irish Setter, German Shorthair Pointer, Shetland Sheepdogs, Papillons, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, as well as numerous Herding and Working dog Breed Specialty shows. She has had the pleasure of adjudicating in Canada, USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and the Philippines.
She is a Life member of the CKC, a Breeder of Merit with the AKC, and is a member of the CDJA, ADSJ, and DJA (Dog Judges Associations). Yvonne’s professional life has always involved animals in some way, from Veterinary Medicine to Animal Welfare.
I feel honored to be judging at the famous Split Summer Night Dog Shows.
ILARIA BIONDI DE CIABIATTI, PERU
Ilaria Biondi de Ciabatti, born in Florence, lives in Lima, Peru. Entrepreneur, current president of the Peruvian Kennel Club. Breeder of Shar Peis and Poodles since more tan 20 years with the name of EL YOC. She has produced many Champions. Her Shar Peis have been awarded numerous BIS, one of her Shar Peis was TOP DOG in the USA and others won the World Championship in Helsinki (2014), in Milan (2015), in Moscow (2016) and again in China (2019).
She owned Ricky (Afterglow Maveric Sabre), n° 1 dog all breeds in the UK in 2013, winner of the Eukanuba World Challenge in 2013, Crufts BIS winner in 2014 and World Champion for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 in Helsinki, Milan and Moscow and BOV at the PCA for 2015 and 2016, and BOB at the Westminster in 2016.
Ilaria is an All round judge and judged in all continents including at the shows of the Sections: A & C, EDS and WDS.
She is member of the General Committee of FCI, member of the Show judges and Show commissions of the FCI and is the Vice-President of the Judges Committee of the Peruvian Kennel Club.
Ilaria speaks Italian, French, English and Spanish.
ANITA GIELISSE, THE NETHERLANDS
“My name is Anita Marie Therese Gielisse and I am the breeder of Krylataja Borzois in the Netherlands.
I owned my first Borzoi at the age of 12 and started showing from that time Borzois and many other different breeds. I also started working as a ring steward at dog shows. At home we had Borzois, German Shepherds, Fox Terriers, Whippets and Poodles which I also showed.
Also my work as para veterinar was always working with animals.
Borzois which are my first and forever love are still around me. I am a breeder of them since 1978 and I am judging the breed since 1980.
I am an FCI approved judge for the groups 10, 5 & 4 and almost for all the breeds in the FCI groups 1 & 3 and judging several breeds in groups 2 & 9. I am approved as a Best In Show judge. For me as a judge it is very important that a dog has a good temperament, nice type with great movement and that looks happy and healthy.
KRYLATAJA LJOEBOV is the oldest still active Borzoi Kennel in the Netherlands and I have
bred & owned many specialty winners, national & international champions, World & European Winners, etc. Some of my dogs also won Top Dog of the Year and the Dog of the Year Show, Crufts BOB and group placement, etc. I bred 49 Borzoi Champions in total.
I am also the breeder of BISS Am/Can Ch. Ljudmila’s Akim Krylataja Ljoebov, a male I exported to the USA and Akim can be found in the pedigrees of many top winning Borzois worldwide. An achievement I am very proud of and proof that my dogs are not only succesful in the rings, but also as producers they pass on their qualities on to the next generations.
I have judged in many countries all over the world and it would be an honour for me to judge at your beautiful show.”
JUDIT BEKE, HUNGARY
“I was born in 1986 and my “Golden Retriever career” has started in 2001.
Everything has begun with Sunny who was a fantastic show dog and also an excellent working and hunting Golden Retriever. He has become International Champion during the years and European Veteran Winner in 2010 with Best Veteran title in Celje, Slovenia. He is still one of the most successful males in Hungarian Golden Retriever history: he was winning 3 years in a row Club Winner & Best of Breed & Best in Show titles at the annual Hungarian Retriever Clubshows in 2004, 2005 & 2006.
My foundation female came to our home in 2003 and the first litter was born in 2005, which was a super litter to start with: all had fantastic owners, and just to mention the most successful ones: lnternational Show Champions & VETERAN WORLD WINNERS.
I was and still I am full with plans and keen for breeding better and better dogs under my affix Sunnyfield’s, and we used and we are using many fantastic studs.
During the years I have always helped in the Retriever Clubs by organising shows and events. That turned my profession: as I finished at College as a Sport manager and Event & Recreation organiser.
I also did many grooming courses & exams, for all breeds, since 2007.
I am working as an all breed dog & pet groomer and I have opened my own grooming shop in 2012 and I am still working there.
I was always in organising committees and later in Presidiums of the former Hungarian Retriever Club.
From 2016 I am the President of the newly established Hungarian Retriever and Waterdog Club, which is today one of the biggest breed clubs in Hungary.
In 2011 I finished the judging course and became Golden Retriever breed specialist judge. At the moment I can judge all breeds from the FCI Groups 8 and 9 and some breeds from the Group 7 and FCI non recognised breeds.
I have already judged in 18 countries in Europe and the appointments that I am the most proud of are judging the Golden Retriever females at the EDS in Poland in 2018 and in 2021 at the EDS in Budapest. In 2024 I received the honour to judge Golden Retrievers at the famous Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland Championship Show, awarding them CC in their country of origin.”
DUSAN PAUNOVIC, SERBIA
“I STARTED IN THE DOG WORLD WITH MY FIRST CHIHUAHUA IN 1990. HE CAME FROM THE WORLD FAMOUS ITALIAN KENNEL AT THAT TIME, BUT WITH ENGLISH BACKGROUND. HE BROUGHT ME FIRST BIG WINNINGS AND MADE SOME BEAUTIFUL PUPPIES FOR US. KENNEL NAME MICROSCHIHUAS WAS ESTABLISHED A BIT LATER IN 1997.
FROM THAT TIME TILL TODAY I BRED AND OWNED 30 DOGS WHO WON HIGHEST TITLES AS WORLD AND EUROPEAN WINNER. I HAVE MANY INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ON ALL CONTINENTS AND MANY BIS WINNERS.
AS A JUDGE I STARTED IM MY VERY YOUNG AGE AND NOW I AM FOR 27 YEARS JUDGING ALL AROUND THE WORLD. I AM AN ALL BREEDS JUDGE AND I JUDGED IN ABOUT 70 COUNTRIES INCLUDING BIGGEST SHOWS AS WORLD AND EUROPEAN DOG SHOWS, WINNER AND ROYAL SHOWS.
FROM 2005 I AM THE PRESIDENT OF TOY CLUB IN SERBIA WHO ORGANISED MANY HIGH LEVEL SPECIAL SHOWS FOR GROUP 9 BREEDS. LAST 15 YEARS I AM IN THE BOARD OF KENNEL CLUB BELGRADE.”
CSABA DENK, HUNGARY
“My dog carreer has started in 1983 in Eger, in the Agria kennel, at Mr. Andras Korózs’ home, where I fell in love in the Fox- and Welsh Terrier breeds.
I got my first dog in 1988, my own Welsh Terrier, he was also a successfull show- and hunting dog.
My first litter was born in 1992. Since then, I had many International and National Champions, World and European Winners, Bundessiegers and Crufts RCC, and in 2022 Crufts BEST OF BREED & now UK Champion Welsh terrier is my 5th generation breeding.
There are now „FROM MICHEL” Welsh terriers worldwide from the UK and Ireland to the USA and Japan.
In the 90’s I also showed very successfully Bull Terriers.
I am judging since 2011, and at the moment I can judge FCI Groups 2, 3, 4 & 8 and FCI Non-recognised breeds. I have already judged in Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, The Netherlands and in Hungary.
I am looking forward to judge at your great event.”
KAISA GOLD, FINLAND
“I grew up with Staffordshire Bull Terriers which were in the family since 1973 and they were my first own breed in 1987. I fell in love with the American Staffordshire Terriers and got my first own one in 1989 and started breeding them in 1997. Until today there are more than 50 home bred Amstaff champions with very limited breeding.
Other breeds that I bred are Little Lion Dogs, Jack Russell Terriers and Smooth Fox Terriers. In the family we also have a Boston Terrier, Pomeranian and a Toy Poodle. We are loved at home by Amstaffs and Little Lion Dogs.
I still enjoy to show my dogs every now and then, but for the moment I find it very hard to find time for breeding.
I am an International FCI judge since 2014 and judged in 32 European countries, USA and Australia.
I am an FCI and AKC BIS judge and a judge for FCI groups 2, 3, 4, 9 & 10 and national judge for the groups 5 and 8.”
OLIVER SIMON, CROATIA
“I have been involved with dogs since my childhood. My first breed was the Labrador Retriever and later on I bred under the kennel name Anoneel both Pugs and Rottweilers. I bred and owned multiple Champions in all three breeds.
Today I am not breeding anymore because I am extremely busy with our work and travelling. My wife Suzana is also an International FCI judge and we run two extremely busy and successful grooming shops.
At the moment we own two German Shepherds.
I became a Croatian Kennel Club’s all breed judge in 2020 and I have judged all around the world at the National, International and Specialty shows.
I speak fluently English, Russian, Hungarian and Croatian.
Dogs are my passion and a big part of my everyday life. Other than that I enjoy tremendously my other hobby – catfish fishing.”
MARIE THORPE, IRELAND
Marie Thorpe’s journey with show dogs began back in 1981 when she welcomed her first long coat Chihuahua into her life. From that moment on, she was captivated by the world of breeding and showing dogs. In 1988 she embarked on her breeding journey. And the following year, in 1989, she delved into the realm of judging.
Since then, her passion has led her to breed various breeds including Long and Smooth Chihuahuas, Japanese Chins, Maltese and English Bulldogs. Over the years, she has proudly bred 115 champions across these breeds, a testament to her dedication and expertise.
As a licensed judge, she has the privilege of assessing dogs across a range of FCI groups, including Groups 2, 3, 5, 6, 9 and 10, as well as part of Group 8 and Best in Show. Her judging experience extends to prestigious events such as Crufts, where she had the honor of judging Maltese in 2023. Looking ahead, she’s thrilled to be slated to judge Chihuahuas (Long Coat) at Crufts 2025 and Chihuahuas (Smooth Coat) in 2026.
Moreover, Marie is approved to award UK CC’s in several breeds including Bichon, Chinese Crested, King Charles Spaniels, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Pomeranian, Papillons, Pug, Toy and Standard Poodles, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terriers and the Toy Group.
Her judging journey has taken her to 30 countries, and she is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to judge at the esteemed World Dog Show in 2025 in Helsinki. With each experience, her love and appreciation for these magnificent animals only deepens, and she is committed to upholding the standards of excellence in the world of dog showing and breeding.
Marie is very much looking forward to judge at the Split summer shows in 2025.
NELSON SEGALA, BRAZIL
Mr. Segala is graduated in Architecture and Urbanism and operates with both residential and interior design projects as an Architect. He has been an English Cocker Spaniel breeder for over 33 years. Mr. Segala has bred several all breeds Best in Show winners, Specialty winners and many champions and grand champions under the affix Falkands kennel throughout the years. In order to improve his breeding program, Falklands Kennel has imported many dogs from Europe. Mr. Segala has been involved with numerous other breeds like Dobermann, Akita, American Cocker Spaniel, Chinese Crested Dog, Pekingese.
Since 2017, Mr. Segala has been successfully breeding Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, together with his partner, who is in the breed since 2007, he bred and is showing a dog that has beaten several Brazilian and World records, winning 18 all breeds BIS and 40 BIS placements. This dog has been a ranking leader in Brazil and finished 2021 as the #2 dog in the country.
In the past 5 years all the # 1 CKCS’s in Brazil and also the World Winner 2022 are owned by him.
Mr. Segala is approved by FCI and licensed to judge all breeds for the following groups: III, IV, VI, VIII, IX and X, and he has judged in many countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Finland, German, Ireland, Italy, Poland and Russia.
ANGELIKA KAMMERSCHEID-LAMMERS, GERMANY
Vita / Tasks in the area of canine welfare:
Member in the Akita Club/VDH from 1 1 1980.
Member in several Dog Clubs in Germany.
Breeding of Akitas / American Akitas in the VDH since 1984 FCI under protected kennel name “von Hammona-Ken” with VDH Bundessieger Winner, Bundes- and European Junior Winner, FCI World Junior Winner.
Judge:
Special judge since 1988
· Group judge for the FCI groups 1, 5, 7 and 10
Board member of the Akita Club e.V. from 1984 till 2018.
Since 2019 Honorary President.
Current:
Board member of the German Kennel Club since April 2018.
Member of the VDH judges committee.
Responsible for the judges education at the DCNH and AC.
Teaching/examination and breeding judge in several VDH clubs.
Referent at the VDH Akademie.
Internationally:
Since 2000 Vice-President of the WUAC (World Union of Akita Clubs), founded in June 2000 and based at the Japan Kennel Club in Tokyo.
Chairwoman of the WUAC Health Commission since June 2002 and responsible for the supervision and control of the WUAC research project “Sebadenitis in the Akita” at the University of Kassel.
Lectures on the Akita breeds at various European clubs.
Member of the FCI Show Committee.
Publications:
1995 first edition of the book “Akita – a fascinating dog from Japan”.
2003 Publication of the 3rd edition, this time together with the translation of the book “Akita by Japan Kennel Club”.
Articles in various general dog magazines and European Akita magazines.
Judging the Akita – translation and completion of the JKC brochure.
Others:
Since 1986 organisation of shows; including 4 shows for the Japan Kennel Club in Europe.
Organisation of cynological training events as well as special conferences for the World Union of Akita Clubs at various locations in Europe.
· Receipt of the VDH Baron von Gingins Memorial Medal 2009.
MONIKA SKOK, CROATIA
“I was born in Prague, Czech Republic. I was living for 4 years in Madrid (Spain) and in 2007 I moved to Croatia where I still live today.
In 1990 I got my first dog when I was a little girl. It was present from my parents, female Standard Schnauzer pepper&salt called Zizi. She was imported from Georgia and was fantastic representative of the breed. She became International & Multiple champion, and she was also the mother of three litters and 10 Champions out of her 13 children.
I never competed in junior handling, but since our very first show I was showing Zizi and later all my dogs by myself.
You can imagine that the begining was hard, but with the help of my Mom who was already before breeding Airedale Terriers and Afgan Hounds was a bit easier.
In 1991 I registered together with my mom our kennel name “ze Zahrabske” under which I am still breeding.
Our first litter was born in 1992, out of six puppies five of them became Champions and it was just begining of my show and breeding career.
Later I started showing my dogs together with my new doggy friends and I traveled all over the world.
Till now I bred over 100 litters of Standard Schnauzers pepper and salt and bred over 500 champions, 250 International champions, several World & European Winners, Westminster BOB winner, many Specialty, Club, Group and Best in Show winners.
My second breed which we started breeding because of my two daughters Laura and Zara are Pomeranians. In the last 5 years we bred also several International & National champions, some group and Best in Show winners. Our family members except Standard Schnauzers and Pomeranians are also Posavian Hound girl Holly who is European Winner 2024 & Best of Breed, than Chow Chow young girl Julia and two English Springer Spaniel girls Donna the senior & Coco the junior.
Our dogs can be found in most of the European countries, in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, etc.
I am an FCI judge for groups 3, 4, 9 & 10, most of the breeds from the group 2 and part of group 5.
From the FCI languages I speak English, Spanish & German.”
ISTVAN CSIK, GERMANY
“My name is Istvan Csik and I am glad to have the honor of being a judge for you.
I am coming from the Hungarian capital Budapest and I started my cynological career with my favorite dog breed – the Poodle.
In 1971 I got my first black Miniature female Poodle from the Hungarian kennel “Nemeskotty Barbara”. She was a very beautiful and typical female and in 1972 I started with the breeding of Miniature black Poodles. I founded my own kennel “Attila – Laki FCI” and at the same time I learned to groom Poodles professionally for the show.
During my working life I have made many first places in International grooming competitions.
I have bred until today numerous multiple champions of Miniature black and white Poodles and I have shown also white, brown and silver Miniature Poodles on international shows.
From 1989 till 1991 I was the president of the Hungarian Poodle association and in 1992 I moved to Germany, where I am since then working as a professional dog groomer specialised in Poodles.
In 1995 I successfully passed the exam and became a Poodle judge.
I am licensed as a judge by the “Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen – VDH” (German kennel club) for the FCI groups 3, 4 and 9 and for the Samoyeds and Hungarian Sheepdogs. I am licensed to judge the finals of the FCI groups 4 and 9.
I have until today judged on numerous National and International shows all around the world including Germany, Hungary, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Belgium, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Greece and Montenegro. I judged also in Israel, South Africa and China.
For your shows I wish to all participants the best of success, but first and foremost lots of pleasure and passion with their four-legged friends. Please be aware that only one can win, but your own dog should always be the best one for you!”
CARLA MOLINARI, PORTUGAL
President of the Clube Português de Canicultura since 1985.
Member of the FCI General Committee 1987/1999.
Member of the FCI Executive Commitee and Treasurer of the FCI 1995/1999.
Elected again to the FCI Board in 2013.
Vice President of the FCI 2017/2019.
Gold Member of the VDH (Baron Von Gilgismedallion 2008).
Vice President of the FCI Judges Committee 2010/2014.
Honorary Life Member of the FCI 2011.
President of the Sighthound Club of Portugal, Portuguese Water Dog Club of Portugal and Pointer Club of Portugal. Honorary Member of the Portuguese Boxer Club, Portuguese Rottweiler Club, Portuguese Dachshund Club, Portuguese Podengo Club of America, Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Patron of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of Great Britain.
All Round Judge of the FCI since 1983, recognized to judge at championship level by the A.K.C., K.C. of UK, C.K.C. and A.N.K.C. of Australia. Has judged all breeds in all countries of Europe, North America, Canada, Asia, Africa and Australia. She has judged 12 times at Crufts Dog Show including the Hound Group in 2015. Has judged BIS in many countries of the world. Has judged twice at the Eukanuba World Challenge and at most World Dog Shows over the past 25 years. Has judged at several FCI Section shows in the three main Sections (Europe, Asia & Americas).
Has been a successfull breeder under VALE NEGRO name since 1963, having bred German Shepherds (1963), Afghans & Salukis (1967), Mini Dachshunds (1978), Whippets, Italian Greyhounds & Pointers (1983), Portuguese Water Dogs (1983), Podengos (1990), Pekingese (1980), Japanese Chins (1998) & Transmontano Mastiff (2005). She has produced over 200 Champions in all these breeds, including multiple champions, international, World and European Winners.
As an author she has contributed to many books and magazines in dog related matters and has written three books, namely The Portuguese Water Dog (2 editions), the Portuguese Podengo vizualized standard, The Portuguese Water Dog in History and the Transmontano Mastiff.
