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Mr. Charles E. Trotter [3788] Carmel, CA
Initial Breed: GSD
Judge (etc.) Rating System:   (instructions)
This judge has been rated by 115 members
 with an average rating of: 2.6 
including 15 Judge Experts
 with an average rating of: 2.3 
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  1 - Not Acceptable
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DateRtgDisplay NameBreed(s)
Aug 16, 20193AnonymousBorder Collie
He took his time to watch dogs go around the ring one at a time. Gentle with the dogs, which included a couple of puppies. We got WB, when we moved onto BOB he told me to go around rather than do a down and back. I was a little confused and asked him to verify that's what he wanted since all the specials had done a down and back. He snapped to go on. His placements were rather different from the day before, dumped a dog that placed in both OH and regular group the day before but otherwise was fairly consistent. Neutral. Wouldn't go out of my way to show to him but wouldn't give up a chance to show to avoid him either.
Aug 11, 20191AnonymousGreat Dane
This gentleman wouldn’t know who to pick unless he was told who to look for prior to show. He’s a Good old boy and picked the person at the top of the lead. His pick for Breed was one of the worst I have ever seen in my short time showing. We will Never enter under this judge again. We will be writing the AKC about the shenanigans MR and Mrs Trotter like to play and hope other competitors from this show do the same.
Feb 25, 20191AnonSporting
I hate to be repetitive but maybe some of the worst judging I’ve seen. Either he doesn’t know the breed std or doesn’t care or both. My wife was showing our puppy bitch and when he asked her to show the bite, before she even got her mouth open, he said okay. Pat can still find a good dog but Chuck should call it a career.
Jun 24, 20182LFANon-Sporting
Judges the wrong end of the lead. On my DNS list now. Chose a thin, poor conditioned bitch that kept her tail between her legs on the down and back over other better representatives of the breed solely because of the handler.
Jun 22, 20181jjkkTerriers and Non-Sporting
I showed to Mr Trotter and watched his ring for 3+ hours both days. I was so disappointed at how disengaged he was with the whole process. Cursory exams, picking the first dog in the line every single class, selecting dogs that would not walk and holding up an already 40 minute delayed group ring for 15 additional minutes so he could take win pictures. I used to admire this judge and now I feel like he is past his prime. DNS
Mar 6, 20181amstaff breederAmerican Staffordshire Terrier
This judge made off comments regarding how someone forgot to crop the dogs ears when the standard clearly states natural ears are preferred. He also knows little of the remainder of the standard based on his picks that day which were completely different than the rest of the judges during the cluster. He earned a top place on my DNS list
Dec 14, 20171OHCKCS
Typical handler judge. Very inconsistent choices. Managed to award handlers with not so good dogs. On my DNS list.
Sep 10, 20171Owner HandlersWorking Dogs
Here's an excellent example of why dog show entries have dropped so low. I was able to listen to his conversation with various exhibitors and if he doesn't recognize you - don't expect an honest evaluation. What a waste of time and money.
Jul 16, 20171Sporting Sporting
After watching him this weekend, I have to wonder if he even cares anymore? His choices were mostly inexplicable. It felt like "Opposite Day" where the good dogs got dumped and the poor examples of the breed or bad movers (but pro handled) win! Reasons why people leave this sport...really sad as I know he used to be an extremely astute judge. I will add that he was not in any way rude and was nice enough to the puppies in the ring. Just poor judging.
Sep 5, 20162AnonWorking
Needs to retire. Can't bend over far enough to check testicles. Didn't fully check mouths on dogs either. Pleasant in the ring, but not a consistent judge at all.
Sep 5, 20161Eastmanworking
The man needs to retire. I saw him give the BW to one bitch and when she went in the breed ring he stated that was the wrong dog and spent 15 minutes discussing the issue. Seems like he is getting more 1's than anything else for 2016.
Jun 6, 20161AnnonymousDachshundsExpert!
Has NO clue what a good dachshund is supposed to look like. Completely dumped the only 2 quality specials in the ring for pets. (no faces either). Have not idea what he was looking at or doing.
May 24, 20161AnonHerding Group
Rude - didn't even bother going over dogs in group
Mar 14, 20161KimericPembrokes
Puts up faces. Would not recommend showing to or hiring this judge. Save your money.
Jan 23, 20161anonymousShelties
All I can say is RUDE. Had hopes and expectations, but he dashed those. He told a handler harshly, "Stand your dog." When questioned what he meant, he repeated his command. Found out he wanted a foot moved. I won't enter under him.
Sep 18, 20151Really toy
again watch this judge and again he actions didn't fail me . He was friendly and didn't judge the dogs, he was busy talking to the lady's in the ring and put up the dogs he was the most chatty with, I don't think he knows what a poodle should move like
Aug 31, 20153Toy FancierVarious Toy Breeds/Italian GreyhoundsExpert!
This was my 3rd time showing to this judge. I was first in the ring, with a very very insecure Green puppy. He had a smile on his face and was very gentle but firm with my puppy. Due to 75% of our entry not showing up, he really did not have much of a choice in placements, BUT....as in my other notes, I entered the Pinhead special under him, and she performed perfectly. All 3 entries had great movement. I still believe he is a movement judge, as he selected for BOB the one that had the biggest open side gait, which was my pinhead specail.
Sep 8, 20145egillettMaltese
Likes a Maltese with nice structure. No politics with a pleasant attitude and very good with puppy class. I enjoyed showing to him.
Aug 23, 20141Darlene Brabanttoy poodles
Sorry to say where do the clubs get these people was friendly enough almost to friendly to his women friends , I don't think he look at a dog in the ring was busy looking at movement but not the dogs the poodles he pick had heads on them like another breed Sorry can I say that ? I would never show under him again
Jul 31, 20141Anonterriers
Astonished at his choices constantly putting up handlers with inferior dogs over owners with dogs that exuded type and movement. It is "judges" like Mr. Trotter that are the cause of entries going down. Now permanently on my DNS list.
Jul 25, 2014AnonymousGolden Retrievers
I watched Mr. Trotter judge several sporting breeds today and I was horrified with what I saw. He was very rude to exhibitors and I observed him rolling his eyes and shaking his head when people didn't understand his ring procedure. He gave very unclear instructions, especially about the use of bait in the ring. I saw him lecture a couple of people after they used bait when stacking their dogs. He said that this was unacceptable in his ring as he had been bit by a dog that was trying to get the bait. In my opinion he should have posted a sign outside the ring or asked the steward to notify exhibitors that he did not want bait to be used in the ring. I have never shown to Mr. Trotter and after watching him judge today, I know I will never waste an entry on him.
Jun 16, 20141anonAustralian Shepherds
Mr. Trotter will never get another entry from me. He was pleasant to show to in the ring but clearly favored handlers over others with better dogs. Then when he was giving out awards asked the professional handler why he could not give them the Owner handler award and ended the conversation by saying AKC could mess up anything. First off as a judge he should know the rules and secondly to say that in front of the owner handler is a slap in the face.
May 27, 20143Toy FancierItalian GreyhoundsExpert!
Now I had shown to this judge a month or so ago, but due to the total lack of entry and my own dog being a pin-head, I could not give a really fair assessment of this judge. THIS time.....we had an entry, and I left the pin-head special at home. It had been a long day, and we were at the end of his set. He has a smile on his face, and was patient beyond WORDS, with one very very disorganized breed prior to ours. He had a good sense of humor and laughed at several dog antics and jokes with Pros and OH alike. His choices in my breed were ALL spot on, even tho there were some tough choices to be made. Several entries could have been the WB, or WD, but he nailed it. We all agreed. Definitely about movement, because both his WB and WD are super good movement dogs. I will definitely give him another try, maybe even with the pin-head special :)
May 4, 2014NoviceTerriers
Terrible experience for me. I am a novice and am still a bit clumsy in the ring. But his treatment of me *and* my dog was inexcusable. Yelled at me as I was trying to steady my very active dog on the table, then grabbed his nose so hard that he yelped. Remained rude and clearly angry through my trip in the ring. Then chatted up the pro like they were old friends. I take responsibility for having a dog that is still squirrely on the table, but there was no excuse for his treatment of my dog. This is not a judge for a novice.
Apr 25, 20143Toy FancierItalian GreyhoundsExpert!
Trotter: Most entries were too small to guage what he was really searching for in the ring. For a small show it was extremely handler heavy, so most single entry breeds were handlers. I honestly do not know what he was looking for, but his demeanor was one of "i would rather be somewhere else". His instructions were clear, he gave all dogs equal time, and his choices did seem to make sense. hard to say if he was political or not, as 99.9% of the folks in the Group were handlers. I would not go far far out of my way to show to him again, but i would enter under a local show if he was on the panel.
Apr 6, 20141GSDSHerding Group
Mr Trotter used to be a judge to whom we would take our best and under whom we looked forward to showing. That is no more. He has gone from pleasant and professional, to impatient, sour and very very rude, to a Novice Junior. He seemed like he wanted to be anywhere but in the ring, as though the whole thing was just a big imposition on him. He nearly had our Junior in tears. He was rough with the dogs, and barely looked up as each one went around. I don't know what has happened to change this person so negatively, but he is on our DNS list.
Mar 7, 2013workinganonymous
Pleasant man, looks for square dogs and will give an owner/handler the ribbon if the dog is square over a P/H. Also, likes a good moving dog
Feb 19, 2013anonymoustoys
marked his book with his decision prior to having his hands on the dogs... or watching them move for that matter. DNS!!!
Feb 11, 20132anonymousmultiple
Just watched him judge Westminster. Had been told by knowledgeable, top breeders he was on their DNS list. Watching, I thought he was very rough with dogs, especially with their mouths. Often caught on camera not looking at the dog that was being gaited. He seemed to have had his decisions made before he went in the ring so why bother watching them, right?
Jan 14, 20132Tracy BurdickPapillonsExpert!
I have only shown to Mr. Trotter in small entries with no handlers. He seems to prefer well-behaved dogs so he probably doesn't appreciate the Paps which are supposed to be animated and lively. He doesn't appear to be a head or fringe judge, not big on movement either. Guess you take your chances that you're the one he happens to point to!
Dec 8, 20122Zirk Creekrottweiler
I want to thank Mr. Trotter (and his wife too) for taking the time to travel to Canada to judge. It will sure save me a ton of money in travel/entry expenses, as I will never walk a mile, let alone drive to the US to show to either of them. For all the 'talk' about movement and his so called knowledge of structure, I was more than a bit disappointed when he picked the biggest bitch (about 20lbs or more over weight) snipey muzzle. bad front, and poor mover. Oh, and to boot, he was 'annoyed' with anyone that used bait, although that wasn't mentioned until you actually used some bait, heavy sighing...and not a smile. And watched him man handle a berner baby puppy (just 6 months) old at the same show...Grabbed her by the muzzle, yanked her mouth open, and when the puppy shrank and reared away, he chastised the owner/handler...What a jerk.
Aug 25, 20125Rough Collies
Very consistent. Has put up my rough collie as BOV each of 3 times shown, with different non-professional handlers each time. Movement judge. I always look forward to showing to Mr. Trotter!
Jul 2, 20121Rex GaylordShiba Inu
This judge is impatient and very short with new handlers.
Mar 28, 20121Iggie ObserverItalian Greyhounds...
I was shocked at one of his choices. I have considered him a good movement judge who understood not to put up unsound dogs. HOWEVER, in West Texas... It seems that he now does not care if a dog is sound or not. The worst moving IG I've ever seen was put up at one show. Not a fan anymore!!!
Feb 12, 20121AnonymousGreater Swiss Mtn Dogs
Judged our National in Oct 2011. Overall, not particularly pleasant to show to (some complained that he was downright rude, acted as if he'd rather be anywhere else, etc.) Seemed to judge movement more than breed type, which might make sense because I'm not sure he read our breed standard before this assignment. His Winners dog was more brown than black (looked like a brown Swissy with a black saddle), which people ringside were aghast about. At the banquet, he didn't have much to say, but one of his few comments was how happy he was to see full dentition and found no missing teeth on any exhibits. First of all, that wasn't even true...but that's beside the point. Our standard doesn't mention ANYTHING about dentition/missing teeth. Only that we're to have a scissors bite and that is it. Seriously -- you do a National and that's your first of very few comments about the dogs??? He then proceeded to warn everyone about the rears in our breed, and that we need to be careful, because you can correct a bad front much easier, in one generation, but bad rears took much longer to correct. YES, he really said that (as if he'd overheard something at a cocktail party, a conversation between BREEDERS, and he got it totally backwards). He did offer the caveat that he was NOT a breeder, but he was married to one so he did know a little about breeding (and my dad was also married to a breeder, but I wouldn't ever want to see him judge!) In the breed ring, he managed to take care of all the big faces, which was not really a surprise.
Jan 15, 20125KanapahaRough Collies
Very consistent and knows the collie standard. Looks at the correct end of the lead
Nov 8, 20111RocklandChow
He can be rude or good humored, but tends to put up the PH or those he obviously is well acquainted with. Not consistant with what he put up if no PH in the ring.
Sep 6, 20112AnonWorking
Have seen his judging in the past and wasn't real impressed. I showed him a 17 month old who didnt have much ring time. She was behaving and he was being quite rough with her. After I mention to others who had puppies (younger) in the same ring and they said the same thing. I also mentioned it to a pro handler about my experience and they said you must have had Trotter. Not good. He wasn't rude to me but I did see him being rude to a few others, very impatient. Not impressing with this judge at all.
Sep 4, 20114cmshetland sheepdog
September 4, 2011 showed under him. He seemed to watch the dogs move. He put up my 1 year old girl out of bred by as winners bitch for a 3 point major over some known handlers. We also got Best of Winners. He wasn't rude, but I don't think he talked except to say thank you.
Mar 14, 2011anonymousFrench Bulldog
Is now under my DNS List, seemed to be else where in the ring.
Jan 28, 20115Danre's YorkiesYorkshire Terrier
Appreciates good structure and movement. Wants a dog to show well, and is not afraid to put up the dog that he considers the best on that particular day no matter who is on the end of the lead. He gave my male Yorkie special a Group 1 a couple of years back owner handled with several top dogs and handlers in the ring. I've won and lost under him, but when I have lost I didn't feel that politics played a part in his decision.
Nov 29, 2010Carol DryMiniature PinschersExpert!
All business, but almost seemed to wish he was somewhere else. Doesnt watch all the dogs, as his attention kept wandering...maybe he just didnt like anything that was being shown.
Nov 4, 20101jrsmomManchesters
Looks for good movement and structure. Does not always put up male faces as indicated below. He will pick the better dog according to the standard. I will continue to show to him.
Oct 29, 20102Adrienne FreyerVizslaExpert!
Very grumpy in the breed ring. Claims to care about movement, but put up dog who flips his front.
Oct 21, 20104MudpuppyKeeshond
I found Mr. Trotter to be thorough and thoughtful in his choices. It was clear that he pays close attention to movement and structure. It was also clear that he knows his politics. I will definitely show to him again when the opportunity arises.
Sep 20, 20104annonymousWorking
seems able to understand breed type in a low number working breed.....contrary to other comments found him pleasant & polite in the ring
Sep 19, 20101DainaSpinone
Doesn't have a CLUE about Spinoni! Also very impatient and rude in the ring. The sad thing is that he's better than his wife!
Jul 9, 20101papillons
Did a terrible job with papillons a Summerfest. Did not go for structure either. After viewing so many shared notes that he is a structure and movement judge, I was excited to show to him. I was very disapointed!
May 22, 20105LyriccCKCS
Known as a movement judge. Will put up BBE, even if it is a puppy.
Oct 5, 20092anonDalmatians
Agree with previous posters...only looked at the first dog in line on the winners go around. Wouldn't show to this judge again.
Jul 14, 20091Kimeric CorgisPembrokes
I agree with previous post...has his mind made up. Uses male handlers and his friends. Have shown to him twice (with different dogs) and is on my DNS to list.
Jan 19, 20091Woodwynd DalmatiansDalmatian
RUDE RUDE RUDE! Didn't even bother to watch all the dogs during the gaiting patterns. Had already made up his mind before entering the ring. I didn't expect to win under him but I sure expected that he'd do the courtesy of at least LOOKING at my dog. Never again.
Jun 16, 20082anonmaltese
not sure what type he is looking for. does prefer larger size. will not put up puppies even if well behaved. Not sure how well he knows the standard.
May 14, 20082anonymoustoys
wife is author/breeder - structure/movement most important in large breeds, not sure about toys.
Mar 6, 2008anonymous
at the group/BIS level, definitely goes for the dogs with big-time handlers and big-time dvertising budgets.
Feb 24, 20082Non SportingExpert!
Definately knows how to play the game...Tends to put up his friends...and friends of his wife, that can help both with their careers
Jan 13, 20083Joseph B GentzelGreat PyreneesExpert!
He is OK. Show to him. He may know more about movement than breed type, but that's not such a bad thing on balance as long as he can sort out some acceptable breed type before him. He has when I have seen him.
Sep 7, 20073anonymousWorkingExpert!
good old boy.
Aug 27, 20071Bernese Mountain DogExpert!
Has certain handlers that are his favorites. If you don't know him, you most likely won't get a group placement under him even if he really likes your dog.
Aug 24, 20074WOW Pomz & Pinzvarious Toy BreedsExpert!
movement movement movement...will take a little plainer dog to find the structure and movement he desires. He'll use a puppy but I think all things equal will defer to the adult.
Aug 11, 20071Sunclipse Tibetan TeTibetan Terriers
Will place known faces, handlers. may like movement, but will put up an lesser entry if he knows you. Would be interesting if he had to judge dogs.
Jul 29, 20072AngelHeart-EskiesAmerican Eskimo Dog
Will pull from BBE class. Likes good movement. I'd show to him again. Needs to learn to smile a bit more :-)
Jun 14, 20074anonymousBulldog
Movement judge. Take a nice moving dog to him, leave those with gait issues at home, he is 100% into movement.
May 23, 2007MaryBulldogs, French Bul
Has no understanding of Breed type for bulldogs and frenchies. Put up a handler with a limping dog over several much nicer entries.
May 6, 20074LisaHavanese
Will not put up a puppy. Will place an inferior dog, just because it's an adult. I think he's a good judge and likes good movement, I just won't take a puppy to him again
Jan 1, 20071Herding
We have shown to Mr. Trotter many times over the years, some win , some lose. We found him to be pleasant , esp to Juniors ..HOWEVER, recently there has been a change it seems? He seems rather sour, and impatient. Even with the Jrs , whereas he was so wonderful before, he is gruff and dismissive. I don't know what has happened over the last few years since we last saw him, but this is NOT the same Chas. Trotter we knew and loved to show to...sad, at this stage in our book he has gone from a 5 to a DNS. Not because of his placings, but because of the sour , sullen attitude...what a shame.

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