2023 AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP JUDGING PANEL NOW AVAILABLE

NEW YORK, March 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Kennel Club^® (AKC^®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2023 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17, 2023.

The 2023 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also include popular attractions such as the Best Bred-by-Exhibitor competition, the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals, and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes. The show will once again take place alongside the AKC Agility Invitational, the Obedience Classic and AKC Fast CAT Invitational, with junior events in Conformation, Agility, Obedience and Rally.

Leading the charge as Best in Show judge for the 2023 National Championship is Mr. Clay Coady of Paradise Valley, AZ and Mr. Terry Stacy of Durham, NC will judge Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Show. The judges for Junior Showmanship, the National Owner-Handled Series Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes will be announced at a later date.

"The lineup of judges for this year's show is impressive," said Show Chairman Dennis B. Sprung. "The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin continues to be a must-attend event, and with Clay and Terry at the helm, it will be a thrilling competition for breeders, exhibitors and judges."

Judges for the seven variety groups and the Miscellaneous Classes at the AKC National Championship are:

SPORTING – Ms. Pluis Davern – Royal Oaks, CA
HOUND – Mr. Charles Olvis – Lake Wales, FL
WORKING – Mrs. Victoria Seiler-Cushman – Xenia. OH
TERRIER – Mr. Harold "Red" Tatro III
TOY – Mrs. Rosalind Kramer – High Point, NC
NON-SPORTING – Mr. David Kirkland – Sanford, NC 
HERDING – Dr. Carmen Battaglia – Roswell, GA
MISCELLANEOUS CLASSES – Mr. Desmond Murphy – Monroe, NY

Judges for the seven Bred-by-Exhibitor variety groups are:

SPORTING – Mr. Dana Cline – Albany, GA
HOUND – Mr. Daniel J. Smyth, Esq. – Bermuda Dunes, CA
WORKING – Ms. Rita J. Biddle, Esq. – Eagle, MI
TERRIER – Ms. Kathleen J. Ferris – Holland, PA
TOY – Mr. Andrew Brace – United Kingdom
NON-SPORTING – Mr. Robin Stansell – Clayton, NC
HERDING – Mr. Jon R. Cole – Nashville, TN

BREED JUDGING FOR THE AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:

*Panel subject to final approval.

About Best in Show judge Clay Coady:

Clay Coady competed in his first dog show at the age of 12, with his first pure bred dog, a Samoyed named Snow. He didn't win, but it ignited a passion for the sport that still burns to this day. His career in dogs was blessed by the good fortune to work with the very best of people and dogs. In his teens he worked for legends Ben Brown and, later, Larry Downey. In his 20s, he set out on a successful professional handling career with his then-wife Bergit. Before it was over, he would handle some of the top-winning dogs of their time for some wonderful clients, finishing and specializing dogs in every group.

Mr. Coady retired from handling in 1999 to focus on his business interests including boarding kennels, veterinary clinics and pet supply businesses in the Phoenix, AZ area. He has been judging since 2001, and presently is approved to judge breeds in every group as well as the Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups, and Best in Show.

About Best Bred-By-Exhibitor judge Terry Stacy:

W. Terry Stacy purchased a Cocker Spaniel in 1952 and began showing as a Junior Handler. He bred his first Cocker Champion in 1955 which led to numerous other Champions. After an education at Marietta College, he became Kennel Manager for the Downsbraugh Kennels of Mr. and Mrs. William Brainard where he worked with Smooth Fox Terriers, Welsh Terriers, Greyhounds and Labrador Retrievers. A successful career of 15 years as a professional handler followed. He finished titles on breeds in each of the 6 Groups then recognized by the American Kennel Club as well as winning many Best in Show and Group awards.

In 1978, Terry began a career as a Dog Show Superintendent for MBF Dog Shows. Three years later he was hired by the American Kennel Club where he worked another 15-year career as Vice President of Dog Events and later was elected Senior Vice President until he retired in 1995.

Mr. Stacy resides in Durham, NC with his wife Jackie who judges All Breeds. As a judge of 5 Groups, Mr. Stacy has judged shows throughout the world.

About the American Kennel Club

Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization, which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.  Along with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 22,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred and mixed breed dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite and the AKC Museum of the Dog.  For more information, visit www.akc.org.

AKC, American Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club seal and design, and all associated marks and logos are trademarks, registered trademarks and service marks of The American Kennel Club, Inc.

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About Royal Canin USA

Royal Canin USA is a leader in science-based cat and dog health nutrition. Founded by a veterinarian in 1968, Royal Canin has 50 years of experience in delivering individualized nutritional solutions. In collaboration with an expert team of nutritionists, breeders and veterinarians from around the world, Royal Canin places cats and dogs at the central point of the innovation process. The Royal Canin product line offers a range of diets based on size, age, breed, lifestyle and therapeutic requirements. Royal Canin diets are available at veterinary hospitals and pet specialty stores nationwide. Royal Canin is a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. To learn more about Royal Canin, visit www.royalcanin.com and "LIKE" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/royalcanin.us.

SOURCE American Kennel Club