I credit the time spent as an assistant handler at a sporting dog kennel with furthering my understanding why a dog has to be built a certain way to do what its breed was meant to do. I later became an AKC licensed handler, and was approved as an AKC judge in 1974. My wife and I still show our own dogs, and this makes me appreciate the physical, mental, emotional, and financial effort it takes for every exhibitor to attend a show, and that reminds me that each one deserves the judges’ best look.

I am currently approved to judge BIS, Sporting Group, and the Hound Group.

In addition to my first show breed, Irish Setters, I have also owned Beagles, English Springer Spaniels, English Setters, English Cockers, Flat-Coated Retrievers, Pointers, and a Border Terrier. I have bred champions in Irish Setters, English Springers, Beagles, and English Cockers. I was the proud owner-handler of Ch. Bayberry’s Sonnet, a National Specialty BOS winner and one of the top-winning Irish Setter bitches of all time.

I live happily with my wife, Shelly, our Flat-Coated Retriever, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Beagle and my Irish Setter.