| Judge's Background & History |
Jason Hoke
Home: Madison, WI
Initial Breed: Great DanesI began in the sport of pure bred dogs exhibiting and breeding German Shepherds with my family in the early 1980’s. Soon after, we purchased our first Great Dane from Kismet Kennels. As many people know one Great Dane is not enough, so when trying to pick from the litter we ended up with two, Ch. Kismet’s Gentleman Jim and Ch.Kismet’s Starlit Symphony, both brindles. In the following years I was mentored by the likes of Anna Mary Kauffman of the famed Mt. Dania kennels and Don and Mary Lou Carmody, of Don Lou Kennels as well as others such as Leon Reimert and Marilyn Draper, all of whom imparted wonderful knowledge to us.
We began breeding under the prefix of Jamara and had wonderful success. Perhaps our two greatest dogs were BISS CH Mt. Dania’s Alexis Del Lago bred by Marilyn Draper and BIS/BISS CH Jamara’s High Voltage, aka Watson. Watson was one of the youngest Great Danes to ever finish and went on to become a Hall of Fame Great Dane in less than 8 months of being shown.
During the 90’s I began apprenticing to become a professional handler with Leroy Stage and Wood Wornall. After which I became partners with David Fitzpatrick. We exhibited all-breeds professionally and were fortunate to exhibit dogs from all seven groups to #1 rankings in their respective breeds and well as their groups.
In the early part of 2000 I also began a culinary career and was a chef at The Inn at Little Washington, one of America’s only five star restaurants and hotels. I now live Madison, WI and own two businesses. One of which is SPA WOOF, a boutique boarding, grooming, and daycare facility able to maintain over one hundred dogs daily.
I am licensed by the American Kennel Club to judge Thirty Three breeds and Junior Showmanship. I have always loved the sport of pure bred dogs and look forward to my future as a judge and continuing to learn every day.
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