Diane Stewart-Ritchie, Ireland
Junior Best in Show judge for Sunday’s International show & Supreme Veteran Best in Show judge
“I have been involved with dogs all my life. My parents showed Irish Setters when I was very young and of course, I was involved from the earliest days, competing in Child Handling classes, aged around 8 years old. We also had Cocker Spaniels, too, in those early days.
My profession, also, brought about my love of working dogs. German Shepherd multipurpose dogs, Malinois, working Labradors, Springers, to name a few. I suppose its right to say, I have had
a very full life which totally encompasses dogs at the fore front. I have trained German Shepherds for almost 30 years through a range of disciplines, from scent disciplines, obedience, agility,
tracking and man work.
As an exhibitor and breeder our Gwendariff Irish Setter kennel has won well over 300 UK CCs and similar in Reserve CCs. Best of Breeds at Crufts, Crufts Group Winner and Group Placers, CC wins and BOBs are amongst our achievements. Other accolades include Top Dog All Breeds in my home country and Top Breeder of All Breeds UK in 22 & 21, and also currently this year, as well as
attaining Top Irish Setter Breeder UK for 19 years, Top Dog, Top Female, Top Puppy, Top Brood and Top Sire. We also hold the record for the most CC winning Irish Setter kennel of all time, as well as the kennel with the most UK Champions in history. We have had many other Champions abroad also and have been lucky enough also to have had World Winners, and World Group placers too.
I have owned or bred champions in Whippets, Weimaraners and Hungarian Vizslas as well as having also owned Cocker Spaniels and Pointers.
I have judged extensively throughout Europe and Scandinavia over many years. I have judged in Australia, Pakistan and South Africa too. I am an FCI approved judge for Best In Show as well as Groups 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and am just starting in Group 2. I am an approved Best In Show and Group judge in the UK and currently I award CC’s to 32 breeds across five Groups within the Gundog, Hound, Utility, Working and Pastoral groups.
I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to have been invited to judge at this prestigious event and am looking forward to it with much anticipation.”
Frank Kane, UK
Supreme Best in Show judge
FRANK KANE showed his first dog, an English Cocker Spaniel as a schoolboy, and he has been involved in the dog world ever since. Whilst at University he co-owned and handled two Sealyham Terriers to their titles. In 1970 he obtained two American Cocker Spaniel females as a foundation for his HIRONTOWER kennel. One of these bitches became a champion and both produced champions. 13 UK Champions were produced with others overseas. The Cockers have also remained a permanent favourite and CCs were won with these also. Frank has also been heavily involved in Dachshunds, Afghans and Great Danes and has handled champions in all of those breeds.
First awarding challenge certificates in the UK IN 1974, Frank is now approved to award CCs in 140 breeds and judges all groups and Best in Show in the UK and has judged all groups and Best in Show under FCI rules in many countries. He judged Best in Show at Crufts in 2012 and has judged five of the seven groups at Crufts. In 2023 he judged the Sporting group at Westminster Dog Show in New York. Frank has judged throughout Europe and also in USA , Australia, Japan, Thailand, The Phillipines, India and Pakistan.
Frank was for 20 years a member of the Kennel Club Board of Directors and Chairman of the Breed Standards Committee. He remains a member of one of the Dog Health groups at the Kennel CLUB. For many years Frank has delivered seminars on Conformation and Movement.
Frank is author of several books on dogs and his book ‘Judging the Gundog Breeds’ is much acclaimed worldwide. Outside his canine interests Frank is a keen horseman with a particular interest in hacks, hunters, and children’s riding ponies.
Barbara Muller, Switzerland
Best in Show judge for Sunday’s International show
“Grown up with Newfoundlands and German Shepherds, dogs have been part of my life ever since.
At the age of 8 years I started to go to training classes with “my” first German Shepherd ard and since then the Dog World became more and more important for me.
The first English Cocker Spaniel arrived in my house in 1970 and in 1973 I started breeding Spaniels, followed by Old English Sheepdogs and Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen under the “Pennylane” prefix. Many National and International Champions, European and World Winners were bred, trained and also handled by me.
At the moment two OES and one PBGV are living with us.
My last OES litter was born 15 month ago and I am expecting new puppies soon.
In 1980 I was confirmed by the Swiss Kennel club (SKG) as a judge and since 2012 I am approved to judge all FCI breeds.
Since 2006 I am a member of the Swiss Kennel Club board and now co-president of the Judges- and Show Commission. In this position I am in charge of the judges education and I am the president of the national and international shows in Aarau and Lucerne.
In 2010 I became a member of the FCI European Section Committee, and have been the vice-president for many years. From 2014 to 2019 I have been the President of the FCI Show Commission and in 2019 I became a member of the FCI General Committee as treasurer.
In most European Countries, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, England and USA I have judged many times. This includes numerous National Specialties, Section Winner- and many World Dog Shows.
I feel very honoured to be invited to judge again in Split at the 4 Summer Night Dog Shows and look forward to this important event and the excellent dogs from all over the world with great pleasure.”
Tajana Matejcic, Croatia
Supreme Best in Show judge for Croatian national breeds
“Since my childhood I was surrounded with animals, especially dogs. I was born in a house full of Old English Sheepdogs – bobtails. Under Dilemma prefix were bred and owned many champions in this breed.
In 1998 we started with Shih Tzu and in 2007 with Lhasa Apsos and since then, in our home we owned numerous BIS winners and bred more than 200 champions all over the world. In 2013 another wonderful breed – Dachshund –stepped into Dilemma home, while in 2018 it was completed with breed with great personality – Shiba. In Lhasa Apsos and Dachshunds we owned and bred top dogs of all times in our country, winners of BIS and Groups on many prestigious shows as well World Winners in breed.
In 2019 I became an FCI licensed national judge for Dachshunds. Later I have successfully passed all exams for breeds of FCI Groups V, IX, part of Groups I and VIII and I became International FCI judge in 2022. I am planning to continue my education.”
Laurent Pichard, Switzerland
Best in Show judge for Friday’s International show
“I have been involved in the world of dogs from a young age. I bred my first litter under the kennel name La Vigie when I was 15 years old. I became devoted to the American Cockers and never lost my interest in this breed, and to these days my American Cockers all well-known beyond borders, finishing over 250 show champions in over 45 years of breeding. The Very Vigie kennel had a strong influence in the European scene and one of the biggest successes was certainly in 2007 when Multi Ch Very Vigie Vamos à la Playa won the first Eukanuba World Challenge in Long Beach, California.
Very Vigie has been designated as Breeder of the year by the Finnish kennel Club in 2013.
My breeding activities have been in English Cockers, Weimaraners, Pugs and recently Whippets.
As President of the Société Vaudois de Cynologie since over 30 years I organise dog shows in Lausanne, Freiburg and Geneva for many years.
I was President for the European Dog Show in Geneve in 2013 and the World Dog show in Geneve in 2023.
I started my judging career in 1974 and was elected in 2010 as an FCI All Rounder by the Swiss Kennel Club. I have judged all over European countries, at World and European shows. My overseas duties brought me to USA, Canada, Australia, Asia, Japan, Korea, China, Russia, South America and South Africa.
I’m in the main board of the Swiss Kenel Klub and I am the co-president for Show and Show judge’s commission Section.
Since 2022 I’m the President of the FCI’s Judges commission and board member of the European Section.”
Luis Peixoto, Portugal
Supreme Best in Show judge for Minor Puppies & Puppies
“My journey in the world of dogs began in 1998 when I brought home my first Labrador Poolstead Pelagonium from England. From that moment my passion for Labradors grew, leading me to establish the kennel “Real Côrte,” with the aim of breeding and showing Labradors with excellence. Over the years I imported influential dogs such as PTCH Newwin Tangerine and IntCH Lejie Cherry Pie, both of whom remain foundational in Real Côrte pedigrees today.
My wife, Tina, joined me in the breeding program, allowing us to expand our focus beyond Labradors to include Flat Coated Retrievers, maintaining a strong commitment to type, conformation, temperament and working abilities.
Beyond breeding, I am an international judge licensed by the FCI to judge all breeds in Groups 3, 4, 6, 8, and partial 10, as well as Best in Show. My judging assignments have taken me to numerous countries including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the UK, USA, Ireland, Gibraltar, Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. While I am qualified to judge various breeds, the Labrador Retriever remains closest to my heart, having judged numerous national specialties and all-breed shows featuring the breed.
A highlight of my judging career was being invited to judge the Spring Specialty of the Labrador Retriever Club of Potomac, a prestigious event widely regarded as the world’s largest single-breed specialty show, celebrating the highest standards of the breed and bringing together exceptional dogs and breeders from around the globe.
Alongside my judging activities, I serve as Vice President of the Portuguese Kennel Club and as a founding member of the Portuguese Retriever Club, where I actively contribute to the integrity of purebred dogs.
Each judging assignment is an opportunity to honor the breed’s legacy, connect with breeders and exhibitors, and share my passion for purebred dogs. Being part of the international dog show community continues to inspire me to learn, contribute, and celebrate the exceptional qualities of these remarkable breeds.”
Tamas Jakkel, Hungary
Best in Show judge for the Split Winner show & Dalmatian Specialty
“I was born in a perfect family with one single exception: we had no dogs. In my age of 5 I started to ask my parents to have an English Cocker Spaniel. I started my connection with the breed in my age of 12. Ever since I’ve bred or owned 34 World and European Winners under my prefix „Black Mirage”. Some years later I joined to the already World renowned Smooth-haired Dachshund kennel „vom Golf” and „Mini Golf” of which I am the owner nowdays. We bred over 50 World and European Winners and over 150 FCI International Champions under this prefix. I also used to have an European Winner Medium Poodle and in the last decade my family became strongly attached to the Magyar Agár having bred several World and European Winners in this magnificent breed under the prefix „ ILLA-Berek”.
Being dedicated besides my private life – of being a Chief Surgeon, Clinical Oncologist, later on a teaching Professor at the Medical University, Budapest – I took my part of the dog-related administration at my very early age. I was the President of the Hungarian Spaniel Association for 24 years, still being its Board member. I was the President of the Magyar Agár Section of the parent Club of the breed (Hungarian Sighthound). I was a member of the Hungarian Kennel Club’s Board for many years before. I became an FCI judge in 1985., an all-rounder in 2001. I am the President of the Hungarian Kennel Club’s Judges’ Board since 2001. I have judged in over 80 countries of 5 Continents including the largest FCI, CKAC, and UK Kennel Club Shows.
As long as my activity quickly became an International one I also had been involved in the FCI. I was a Board member of the FCI European Section for many years since its establishment and later on I was its Vice-President. I also had been the Vice-President of the FCI Judges’ Commission. I resigned from both of these functions when I was elected as the member of the FCI General Committee in 2009.
As the recognition of my work I have been awarded the FCI Golden Pin by the President of the FCI. In 2017 I was also the representative of the FCI Board in the FCI Show and Show Judges Commission.
In 2017. I became a member of the FCI Executive Committee as its Treasurer.
The FCI General Assembly elected me as the President of the FCI in 2019 and I was re-elected this year during the FCI General Assembly in Helsinki at the 4th time.”
Fabian Daza, Colombia
Best in Show judge for Monday’s International show
“I was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. I specialize in urology and have been involved in the canine hobby since a young age.
I began breeding French Bulldogs in the country, achieving the title of champion with the DAZSAN DU UPARI suffix. Since the beginning of breeding, I have been committed to obtaining high-quality specimens that have competed in Colombia and other countries in the Americas.
I have been involved for many years in the education of doctors in my specialty in various undergraduate and graduate programs in the country. I have extended this commitment to the canine hobby. As a member of the Colombian Kennel Club Association, I have actively participated in all educational events and in the training process for new judges that is carried out under the guidance of the Association. I have served as a member of its Board of Directors. I am currently Vice President of the ACCC and President of the Bogotá Kennel Club, a club associated with the ACCC. I have actively participated in meetings of Latin American Kennel Clubs (FCI Americas and Caribbean Section) and SICALAM, Colombia’s Delegate to the FCI General Assembly in Paris and more recently in Geneva and Helsinki. I have also participated as an Exhibitor and Assistant at several Congresses for Dog Judges and Breeders.
I currently hold an International Judge License for all FCI and BIS breeds.
In recent years, I have had the opportunity to judge at various National and International, Specialized, and Section Shows in different countries in the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. I had the opportunity to judge at the CBKC and WDS Centennial Show in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2022.
I am looking forward to judge the well known Split Show in 2026, meet beautiful dogs and share with my fellow judges in Croatia.”
Niksa Lemo, Croatia
Supreme Junior Best in Show judge and judge for Jadran Franceschi Memorial
Professor Nikša Lemo is an internationally recognized all-breed championship dog show judge. Licensed for his first breed, the Dobermann, in January 1992, he became a licensed FCI all-breed judge in December 2010. Over the years, he has judged on all continents and across all FCI groups, including numerous Best in Show competitions and finals of junior handling events.
He has been honored with invitations to judge at the world’s most prestigious dog shows, including the FCI World Dog Show, European Dog Show, Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (USA), KUSA, Sydney Royal, and numerous FCI Section shows and national breed specialties. In 2024, he was privileged to judge Best in Show at the FCI World Dog Show in Zagreb, as well as the Working Group at Westminster Kennel Club (2025) in New York.
Prof. Lemo is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist (ECVD) and full professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb. He lectures on veterinary dermatology, canine science, and regularly conducts seminars for student judges, licensed judges, and dog breeders.
His scientific work includes a master’s thesis on canine hip dysplasia and a doctoral dissertation on genetic population studies in dogs. He is co-author of a published study on the evolution and genetic relationships of Dalmatian dogs and other breeds. In addition to dermatology, he has published scientific papers in internal medicine and has been an invited speaker at both national and international veterinary and breeding conferences.
Prof. Lemo is a dedicated breeder under the kennel name All-Lemo’s, specializing in Miniature Schnauzers (black and salt & pepper) and Norwich Terriers. Throughout his career, he has also owned, co-owned, and/or exhibited Dobermanns, Pugs, Standard Schnauzers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Tibetan Mastiffs, and Tibetan Spaniels.
Svein Erik Bjornes, Denmark
Junior Best in Show judge for the Split Winner show
“Born in 1968 in Norway. Living in Denmark since 1996, with my husband in North of Copenhagen.
In 2003 my interest in dogs and dog shows led to a profound interest in the breed Coton de Tulear, of which we also had four litters.
Having owned three who all became Multi Champions, European and World Winners, my interest for judging could no longer be hidden. I decided to get involved while still actively attending the dog shows with my dogs.
We have had in our home a beautiful Lhasa Apso, a Miniature Poodle, a Tibetan Terrier and now we have two Medium Poodles. We still show our two Poodle but not as much as we did before.
In 2008 I began my judging education.
In 2011 I was authorized as a Judge for the 5 white breeds in group 9.
I am an FCI judge and can award CAC and CACIB in Groups 2-3-4-5-6-9
and some breeds in groups 1-7-8-10 – I am on All breed Judging program for DKK.
I have been judging in All Breed Shows, National and International and Specialities in: Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia before the War & China.
I have judged the following speciality shows: Maltese in Dublin and Norway
Coton de Tulear in Germany and Norway
Havanese, Bolognese, Bichon Frise in Norway, Tibetan Terriers in Finland and England, Krohmforlaender in Sweden &
Toy Group in Finland. I judged big Winner shows in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Denmark, China, Estonia & Poland.
I am very passionate about judging and I think one of the finest tasks you can have as a judge is to show every exhibitor your interest in his/her dog, in giving time and respect to everyone no matter the quality the dog may have. At the end of the day it is about having had a good experience and the feeling that you as an exhibitor have been seen and understood, and as a judge to have appeared as professional as possible.
It is a great joy to judge but in it lies also a big responsibility. I therefore always do my very best in being prepared as much as I can for every breed being presented to me at a show.
My biggest wish is to be the best and most prepared version of myself as possible.”
Tijana Konrad, Serbia
Junior Best in Show judge for Monday’s International show
“FCI All-Round Judge
I actually learned to walk holding onto my mom’s German Shepherd — so it’s safe to say dogs have been part of my life from the very beginning. I grew up surrounded by dogs, in a true cynology family.
As a third-generation “dog person” and a second-generation all-round judge, love and passion for dogs are in my blood.
I entered the show ring at the age of nine, with my very first show dog — Basset Alisa.
I’m the daughter of the late longtime President of the Kennel Club of Serbia, and today I serve as the President of the Kennel Club Kostolac in my hometown, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of KSS.
I was one of the founding members of the first Retrievers Club in Serbia, based in Kostolac, where we organized top-level retriever specialty shows.
Over the years, I have bred Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Chihuahuas, and now Standard Poodles — each breed holding a special place in my heart.
I’ve had the honor of judging many national, international, and specialty dog shows all around the world — including two World Dog Shows: Geneva 2023 and Zagreb 2024.”
Tina Peixoto, Portugal
”Junior Best in Show judge for Friday’s International show
“My journey with dogs began in 1989, when the first Labrador Retriever arrived in Latvia from a distant foreign country—Sweettrees Mac—came into my life. Bred in Belgium, Mac was a yellow male of outstanding type, with a classic Labrador head, strong bone, and a kind, balanced temperament. With roots tracing back to top lines in the USA and UK, he brought new genetic potential to Latvian breeding and became a widely used stud dog. To this day, his influence can be seen in the pedigrees of many Labradors.
In 2002, I established the kennel Lattina Hope, where I bred Labrador Retrievers, Flat Coated Retrievers, and Newfoundlands with a focus on breed type, health, and sound temperament. My passion for Flat Coated Retrievers began in 2005, and since then, they have become an essential part of both my breeding program and my life.
Since 2011, I live in Portugal, where I joined my husband Luis in combining our breeding efforts under the Real Côrte affix. Together, we continue to breed and show Labradors and Flat Coated Retrievers, committed to maintaining excellence in type, conformation, temperament, and working ability.
Professionally, I am a veterinarian and a licensed FCI judge since 2000. In March 2022, I was approved as an FCI All-Breed judge, and in 2023, I also became an AKC All-Breed judge. Over the years, I have had the privilege of judging in countries across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, including the USA, Japan, Brazil, India, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout Scandinavia and the Baltics.
A highlight of my judging career came in 2023, when I was honoured to judge the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac Spring Specialty—the largest single-breed specialty show in the world. Being entrusted with this prestigious assignment was a true milestone and a heartfelt tribute to the breed I hold closest.
I have judged in Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the USA. Each judging experience brings the opportunity to discover beautiful dogs, meet passionate breeders, and work alongside knowledgeable and dedicated fellow judges.
Every assignment is not only a professional responsibility but a personal celebration of the dogs we love and the global community that shares this passion.”
