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Mr. Ken J. Murray [44568] Island Lake, IL
Initial Breed: Setters (Irish)
Judge (etc.) Rating System:   (instructions)
This judge has been rated by 47 members
 with an average rating of: 2.6 
including 5 Judge Experts
 with an average rating of: 3.2 
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  5 - Excellent
  4 - Good
  3 - Fair/Average
  2 - Below Expectations
  1 - Not Acceptable
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DateRtgDisplay NameBreed(s)
Sep 24, 20233AnonymousTerriers
Needs education on the finer points of breed standard. Put up a BT will obvious faults.
Apr 3, 20232AnonymousPomeranian
1st time showing to this judge. He was pleasant but very reserved (spoke very little), was gentle and pleasant to dogs during exam, but seemed to award faces for the class dog & bitch and is very obvious he does not like color(s)
Mar 12, 20231AnonymousToy Group
His selection of a Toy breed with a known but not well liked handler was disappointing. The dog showed terribly, is not to it’s breed standard, and was never used by the other judges all weekend. It was the only dog showing in it’s breed. Embarrassing.
Dec 9, 20225Karen ComptonDalmatian
Mr. Murray was pleasant and efficient. He managed a large ring smoothly. I did not get the win, but I was impressed by his attitude and picks. I would show to him again.
May 31, 2021anonPapillon
Unless you have a red forget the entry. He will only put up reds unless there is nothing left and he has to place a black and white.
May 24, 20212AnonTerriers
Was looking for well trained, animated and pretty silhouette. Movement was not important.
Sep 1, 20204anonymoushound
Did a good job picking worthy hounds with good movement. We didn't win, but I'd definitely show to him again. No pro handlers in a large entry.
Aug 15, 2020Lisa FosterSporting
Going to try this judge I have watched him and I hope he sees the dog and movement, bone and all that goes with the breed and trust he is a judge that can see past a tail. I have watched him and respect his decisions so let’s hope he can find the dog and look past a tail. Seen good things from with him finding a great shoulder 👍
Aug 15, 2020Lisa FosterSporting
Going to try th
Oct 9, 20192Anonymous Dachshunds
Very pleasant in the ring. Was not able to find good movement.
Jun 10, 20191Owner HandlerBernese Mountain Dog
Showed to this judge last weekend and could not believe what I witnessed. Had a professional sporting handler judge in my ring for the first time ever and learned the relationship said handler has to this judge - no surprise Mr Murray put up his sporting handler friend for breed with a hideous class dog that moved toeing in, and no bone/type, over specials including mine. I knew he was not even looking at my dog who had the most type and substance in the ring; he didn't look at bite, and even told me to do my down and back again without any explanation. Other exhibitors asked me why on earth he did that - I couldn't tell you but I do know he dumped my dog before he looked at him, didn't have a word to say to me, was completely unfriendly and acted like I was wasting his time; he showed blatant favoritism and chattiness with the sporting handler. Two handlers approached me outside the ring afterward to tell me I was never in it with that judge and he does not judge against my breed standard, but rather judges ALL dogs on his sporting breed's standard (e.g., tail must not be up even if in your standard, and likes a sloping topline per his standard). How on earth this man is allowed to judge and is approved in ANY Working Group breed is beyond me. I won breed the following day under a working group judge
Apr 25, 20195AnonymousHoundsExpert!
This was my first experience with Mr. Murray. He was very pleasant and even asked, "how are you today"? He did a complete table exam, and watched every dog move all the way around the ring. Will definitely show to him again.
Jan 21, 20194Deb Vizsla
Although I have heard a lot of mixed reviews both in person and notes here I did feel he put up the best dogs/bitches of the day. As someone else said "Always be showing, even if you think you are out of the ribbons....... he notices" I totally agree with that statement, do not take anything for granted, even if you think you have won BOB
Apr 19, 20183TatianaTerriers.
No clue. Not sure how in the world he got approved to judge terriers. Showed him twice and from the first time it only have gotten worser... If that is even possible.
Apr 5, 20184anonworking
knows good dogs, can articulate virtues and flaws of particular exhibits. Leans toward PH in groups, but will use a worthy OH exhibit if the dog is presented exquisitely. Always be showing, even if you think you are out of the ribbons....... he notices
Oct 8, 20171EastwoodPWD
Horrible judge, he is on my DLS list. His wife owns a PWD that is being shown by the top handler of PWDS. He judged a show that had 5 of the top 10 PWDS and gave BOB to a very young bitch because he did not want any of the other dogs/bitches getting breed or all breed points. He should not have been judging a breed that is an obvious conflict of interest. He wasn't that great of a handler and is a worst judge.
Feb 19, 2017sandy allenGreat danes
I am and OH 20 years. I know what to expect from this judge as looking at results. This is my home show. My puppy is 7 months. Was not expecting anything. But always hoping.I also had and open mantle dog. I stayed on the open mantle and a friend went on the puppy. It was a large entry. 18 dogs. I was a bit surprised with the young fawn male that he choose for WD. But It was and Good ol Boy handler .You know the Club. The dog was 9 months Small. My puppy was much larger and put together very well. He was Ok as personality goes . Did say hello to each time he came to examine my 2 dogs. Put up Greg Strong with his new Special. He did not put up any OH> Perhaps we just did not bring him dogs that were his cup of tee.Would I go under him again? If I feel like I had a really good Specimen . Yes. And if it was a super close show. When you are and OH> If you have a great dog. You have to show your dog Super. Almost shove the dog down some judges throat. To get their attention and demand their respect for you as and OH. Good luck out there.
Dec 21, 2016Dachshund BreederDachshunds
Needs to have someone to mentor him in dachshunds again...preferably a breeder judge. He put up almost every pet in the ring with handlers majors. I will not to show to him again. With his random choice of incorrect structure and movement, he is not helping novices to know and breed type!
Oct 17, 20161anonymous Sporting breeds
A HUGE disappointment as a judge. Has no idea, nor any interest, in what he is doing except when it involves his friends. Don't waste your time or money. Tried him a few times with very good dogs. Looks UP the lead, never down.
Aug 18, 20151AnonSporting
Have to agree with previous comments.....handler, handler, handler. Also rough with mouth exam. Don't waste your money if you're an O/H.
May 10, 20141Anonymous Rottweiler
Put up first time bitch that belonged to big breeder that would not show teeth! How does that happen? Nor did she stand for exam! Blatantly political! Will never show to him again.
May 15, 20131anonymousBernese Mountain Dogs
Likes a dog who looks like it can pull a cart regardless of movement. Type, type, type.
May 22, 20121lovessportingdogsretrievers
This man should not have an AKC license. No entry from us ever again. We have given him two tries with different types. He only likes who is showing to him, not the dog. That is obvious. Very disappointed.
Feb 9, 2011anonymousGerman wirehaired pointerExpert!
Made some strange choices. Put up a smallish bitch over 3 nice specials for best of breed. Then gave the winners dog BOS over the nice male special. Likes smallish dogs? Hard to tell.
Mar 25, 20101Setter BreederSettersExpert!
Remembers his days as a handler. Forgotten which end of the lead to look at.
Jul 10, 20091AnonGolden Retrievers
Slowly shuffled O/H to the back so the pros had the first four placements in large classes. No O/H won during his judging times!
Jun 14, 20093Carri J Lindblom BorischVizslaExpert!
Well, things can change over the course of a year! Back last June, in 2009, I said he did a wonderful, consistent job judging a large entry with no professional handlers. Then a pro walked in with a poor quality bitch, completely different type than he'd been picking all day, and put that dog BW! Today, he had another large entry of Vizsla and he really did a good job. He stuck to his type he was looking for-- with one exception in one of the dog classes. He gave a very novice handler with a nice dog every chance, and she ended up winners dog today. He took no time judging the specials (the ring was thick with professionals) and ended up picking two nice Vizslas for breed and Opposite.

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