| ShowDays.info - the unofficial guide to dog show information |
| Mr. Houston Clark [4758] Decatur, TN Initial Breed: German Shepherd Dogs Judge (etc.) Rating System: (instructions) This judge has been rated by 103 members
|  |
See Guidelines & Commentary on the Judge Rating System.
No Flaming! Be Constructive, Diplomatic, Objective and Specific.
Public Judge Comments
If you are not a subscribing member and wish to post a comment here, please send an email with your public judge notes, and we will review it for posting.
Judges: To be notified automatically via email when someone posts a public note about you, just send us an email identifying yourself and tell us your User ID, so we can set up the proper link. To bring anything about a particular comment to our attention, also send an email, and we will review your concern and determine the appropriate action. If you wish to communicate with the person making a comment, send us an email, with the details and we will forward it for you. If you want to reply to a comment, and do not have a subscription, send us an email and we will post it here for you.
Judge Selection Committees: Feel free to post information here that's helpful to other judge selection people: how well a judge draws, other hiring considerations. Please be sensitive to the public nature of this venue.
ShowDays.info is not responsible for opinions expressed here.
If you think anything here is inappropriate, please notify site management.
| Date | Rtg | Display Name | Breed(s) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2022 | Anon | Toys | ||||||
| I have found him to be polite and fair. Always gets my entries. | ||||||||
| Oct 16, 2021 | Jeanie Pitzenberger | Irish Wolfhound | ||||||
| Movement is important to him. He put up a 11 month old IW boy over a mature CH IW because the puppy had correct movement, bone and leg. I will give him an entry every time he is in my area. | ||||||||
| Dec 14, 2017 | 4 | Elaine Summerhill | Greyhounds | Expert! | ||||
| Will use an owner handled exhibit over pro handled specials if the exhibit is worthy. Wants type & movement. | ||||||||
| Aug 28, 2017 | 3 | anon | terriers | |||||
| Pleasant ring demeanor. Polite and constructive criticism of my grooming. | ||||||||
| Nov 3, 2016 | 4 | Mary Ann Byrns | Doberman | |||||
| Very Pleasant ring demeanor. He really looks for the movement and knows structure. | ||||||||
| Oct 18, 2016 | 5 | Annymous | Havanese | |||||
| I have only shown to this judge a couple times with 2 different bitches. My first bitch did have a fault I'm aware of and feel like he probably saw and felt it too, because he is thorough with his exams and, she was last in her class. The second bitch is a good typey girl with good structure and movement. He awarded her WB and also awarded a nice special thatI I really like for BOB. He and his wife both like a certain type and tail set in my breed, but I feel like he gave more relevance to structure and movement, without being entered in a certain class, like his wife does. Both bitches I showed to him had the same Dam, which I saw he was a fan of in the past, but the 2nd has better structure and the movement of her Dam. | ||||||||
| Jun 3, 2016 | 3 | Anon | Toys | |||||
| I used to really like him but he has seemed to have turned political. Still not as political as his wife and would show to him over her anyday. | ||||||||
| Oct 19, 2015 | 2 | TK | terriers | |||||
| Good eye on a dogs. Nice with handlers (pro or not). Cares on what he does and does give some good recommendations to exhibitors, if he thinks You can use those. Took my Bred/By for BOB over special. Two month later... Well, another show - another storyline. Apparently part "not particular to handlers" only works with some handlers. While some others are above those rules... I was told the fix is in before show even started and boy it was correct. Update... Turned out completely political and doesn't look he can pick up the dogs over faces. If not sure, just will take whatever from Open class for his winner. Too bad really. I used to like him a lot, but wouldn't waste my money now. | ||||||||
| Oct 18, 2015 | 1 | Anonymous | Hounds | |||||
| Way too often Mr. Clark confuses showiness for quality. | ||||||||
| Jul 21, 2015 | 3 | QR | Herding | |||||
| The consummate gentleman in the ring and you'd be hard pressed for a more pleasant experience in terms of kindness and manners. The reason for the low rating however is that he's rewarded incorrect temperaments repeatedly in adult class animals in every show I've attended. Forgiving of pathologically shy is one thing, rewarding it with a placement is another. | ||||||||
| Jul 1, 2015 | 4 | Anonymous | ||||||
| Likes a well balanced exhibit with correct movement that is well trained. His pet peeve is a proud tail. Pleasant to exhibitors, good hands on the dogs and exhibitors. | ||||||||
| Apr 28, 2015 | 5 | Toy Fancier | Italian Greyhounds/various Toy breeds | Expert! | ||||
| Have shown to this judge many times. Always enjoyable, and a GOOD judge. | ||||||||
| Oct 18, 2014 | 1 | anonymous | Toy | |||||
| Not consistent. No toys, but been following a few shows lately and watching toys for upcoming class toys. Saw him at a show prior week put up nice toys regardless of handlers or owners. Best dogs. This show some of the same toys that he took breed and chose breed and class winners at prior show dumped!!.... scratched my head. Did not see new competition that was that much better. Hey, you dumped many you took prior show a couple of weeks ago, nice, nice toys and picked....not sure what. DNS when I get back out there. Do not recommend for anyone. | ||||||||
| Sep 27, 2014 | 5 | Darlene Brabant | Toy Poodle | |||||
| Does a very nice job knows what he likes and will put it up over specials a very honest judge | ||||||||
| Aug 31, 2014 | 5 | Darlene Brabant | toy poodle | |||||
| I haven't shown under him before, I like him, he is fair knows a honest dog, likes movement and carriage and a pretty head. I would show under him any time | ||||||||
| Aug 30, 2014 | 5 | Toy Fancier | Various Toy Breeds | Expert! | ||||
| I have always liked this judge. I honestly cannot find fault with him. I watched him almost all day long, and his picks were usually IMO the best dog in the ring. Did not matter what class it came from, or who was on the end of the lead. He is definitely a movement judge. His picks were all consistent quality. He crossed over points when he felt the WD or WB was better than the other. So majors were not always crossed over and sometimes they were. I agreed with everything he did. He is a very good judge, and it is a positive experience for everyone who is in the ring. Win or lose. | ||||||||
| Aug 20, 2014 | 3 | owner handler | working | |||||
| Polite, predictable - | ||||||||
| Jul 20, 2014 | anonymous | herding group | ||||||
| It saddens me to write the commit I took Mr. Clark at his word last year. outstanding breed type, wonderful movement, extreme plains correct coat more judges need to see this dog please bring him back to me in 2014 Well drove 5 hrs an Mr. Clark could only find handlers for the group placements. As a owner who chooses to not use a handler but uses a person who is very qualified to show him an is very proud to show such a breed standout I have conclude that either Mr Clark is truly a handlers judge or just had a fubar day I would prefer that if judges are going to make statements such as this is one of the best specimens of the breed bring him back in a year any totally ignored him that they say nothing at all | ||||||||
| Jun 14, 2014 | 5 | anon | terriers | |||||
| He judges dogs!!! Very refreshing... Im a novice with a NICE special and always up against the big guys. He was consistent in his selections...giving my puppy winners and my special breed. he's at the top of my list! | ||||||||
| Jun 10, 2014 | 3 | anonymous | Australian Shepherds | |||||
| Very pleasant to show to and seemed consistent in his picks. I would definitely show to again. | ||||||||
| Mar 17, 2014 | 5 | GSDS | Herding Group | |||||
| Mr Clark, extremely pleasant, thoughtful judge. Courteous to professionals and novices alike. Knows and appreciates a great mover. Watched him judge breeds before us, and seem to get all the right ones to the winning spot. Would show my top dogs to him, no problem. | ||||||||
| Feb 4, 2014 | 4 | redstaff | staffy | |||||
| Seems a nice enough guy but doesnt understand this breed. Went with a tired unhappy out of condition veteran who is well past his prime with several quality mature exhibits in his ring - vet handled by a judge **UPDATE** Nov 2014 - Not a big entry and no handlers but he seems to have re-read info regarding our breed. He examined them in a very breed specific way. He went with a puppy over specials for breed. He also gave the puppy a look in the group. Gentle and polite to show to. | ||||||||
| Jul 26, 2013 | 4 | Kass Goulding | flat-coated retriever | |||||
| Mr Clark is pleasant, with an easy hand on the dogs. He counted teeth (no provision for full dentition in my breed), was concerned with size (he measures dogs against his leg - my breed has a preferred height, but no DQ for size) and seemed to be looking for a moderate dog in every way. He did not cross-over the points, put a nice class bitch up over specials for BOS. | ||||||||
| Apr 10, 2013 | 4 | anonymous | hounds | |||||
| Movement of great importance, the amature handler does have a chance. | ||||||||
| Apr 9, 2013 | Pembroke | Pembroke | ||||||
| Showed to him this past weekend. Very pleasant judge. Had a very small but quality entry. No class dogs, selected a doggy headed nice moving bitch over pretty adaquate movers. | ||||||||
| Feb 18, 2013 | 4 | Confetti | Chihuahua | |||||
| Showed to Mr Clark this weekend as well as stewarded for him. Very pleasant to show to and he seems to be very fair. Would definitely show to him again. | ||||||||
| Jan 15, 2013 | 5 | anon | working | |||||
| Love this judge! He's polite, gentle with the dogs and REALLY looks at the dogs (not the handlers). He is very much into movement,and correct proportions---leg length, etc. Would show to him every time. | ||||||||
| Dec 23, 2012 | 5 | Sherry Anderson | Vizsla | |||||
| I have not been in the ring for 15 years but all those years ago showing to him and again now he really likes movement and soundness. Really like this judge | ||||||||
| Dec 2, 2012 | Kelly Bryant | Flat-Coated Retriever | ||||||
| Seemed to prefer movement over type in my breed and a well-trained dog. Thoroughly inspected teeth on all dogs. Was very nice to show to. | ||||||||
| Nov 10, 2012 | Jennifer L. Van Niman | Dachshunds | Expert! | |||||
| Very inconsistent with his pics. WD and WB were total opposites in type. Put class bitch over nice special. Seems to pick his choices as soon as they walk in the ring!!! Won't go out of my way to show to him again. | ||||||||
| Jun 27, 2012 | 4 | owner-handler | Sheltie | |||||
| Very pleasant judge, appeared to be fair. I did not feel he was a "tooth fairy" per someone's previous comment (I dont recall seeming him count teeth on any of mine, anyway). Will show to again. | ||||||||
| Jun 12, 2012 | 1 | exhibitor | Great Dane | |||||
| He is a tooth fairy even though our breed does not require full dentition. Unfortunately that seems to take precidence over all else. | ||||||||
| Mar 18, 2012 | 4 | Robin Gates | Manchester Terrier | |||||
| He wants a Standard Manchester to look like a Standard and not like a large toy Manchester (his words to me). He looks at movement, markings (wants to see those thumb prints) and structure. Will show to him again!! | ||||||||
| Jan 30, 2012 | 5 | Anonymous | Working - Dobermans | |||||
| I will have to really think about entering a class entry under this judge again. He was inconsistent and did not judge classes based on the Standard and award those that are making this breed "BETTER". (Less angulation, better toplines, neck placements, etc.) I have shown to him more than once, maybe it was a bad day. | ||||||||
| Oct 21, 2011 | 4 | Anonymous | Pomeranians | |||||
| Very fair minded judge, in my breed at least does not appear to look at the wrong end of the lead, most of the time. Think he can recognize a quality pom. Probably prefers more leg if he can find it but not at the cost of quality. | ||||||||
| Oct 8, 2011 | Anonymous | working breed | ||||||
| His comments on putting up fiddle fronted puppies for a major was "I like the coats on these puppies." He is impressed by big coats and hasn't a clue about structure for this working breed. | ||||||||
| Sep 28, 2011 | 5 | anon | ECS | |||||
| Knows the breed standard- easy with the dogs and appears not to care who's handling the dog. How refreshing...... | ||||||||
| Sep 6, 2011 | cm | sheltie | ||||||
| Believe he likes a substantial specimen. He did choose a dog without a "handler" for winners dog. | ||||||||
| Jul 24, 2011 | 5 | Allene Black | Old English Sheepdogs | Expert! | ||||
| KNOWS correct structure and movement. Does NOT like OVERLY SCISSORED or SCULPTED dogs! I've seen him withhold ribbons and/or threaten to withhold ribbons on dogs with extremely stripped out necks (as he should!) and overly scissored! I will show to him anyday. | ||||||||
| May 9, 2011 | 5 | Anonymous | Doberman | |||||
| Very patient with another exhibitors bitch, 1 yr old first time in the ring with a brand new owner handler and she actually laid down on all 4's at the begining of exam. Mr Clark tried baiting her and was very patient but the little girl was too far gone to recover. She had to be dismissed. Mr. Clark was a pleasure to show too. | ||||||||
| Aug 14, 2010 | annon | herding | ||||||
| although he is very pleasant and gentle while going over the dogs, he most certainly is a handler judge and i will not show to him for that reason alone. it's too bad really as he has a very nice hand on the dogs. | ||||||||
| Jan 24, 2010 | DicoryDox | Dachshund | ||||||
| Bring him a well trained dog for sure. Is gentle but thorough on his exams but will not put up a dog who is not behaving. | ||||||||
| May 23, 2009 | 2 | Anonymous | Belgian Tervuren | |||||
| Not sure what happened but he has become more political with various breeds on more than one occasion. On my DNS list. | ||||||||
| May 30, 2008 | 2 | Celebrate | Goldens | |||||
| Take him a short back golden with leg and a good front. Pretty consistant with wanting this. | ||||||||
| Feb 23, 2008 | 4 | Terry Rothell | various Toy Breeds & Borzoi | Expert! | ||||
| I felt he looked for both breed type and soundness and was thorough in his exam and movement of the dogs. I agree he likes a bit of leg under his placements and wants them to put those legs to good use. I find him knowledgable and pleasant to show to. | ||||||||
| Feb 2, 2008 | Lynn Knapp | German Shepherd | Expert! | |||||
| truly knows correct movement. likes sound minded along with sound movement. Pretty consistant at the breed level, goes political at the group level which is very unfortunate as in my opinion it makes judges look bad to be able to find a good "dog" in the breed ring and then overlooked it for a "face" in the group. Will always show to him though. | ||||||||
| Jan 21, 2008 | 3 | Adrienne Freyer | Ridgeback | Expert! | ||||
| Showed to him this past weekend & lost. However, I really thought he but up the most correct Ridgeback that day. Enjoy showing to him. | ||||||||
| Jan 13, 2008 | 4 | Joseph B Gentzel | Great Pyrenees | Expert! | ||||
| A good judge who can find a good dog. He knows breed type and will reward it appropriately. He showed some good ones, so this is no surprise. You can generally expect fairness and a good opinion from Mr Clark. | ||||||||
| Jan 4, 2008 | 4 | Patricia Gilliard | Working | |||||
| He seems to really love judging the dogs and I have never considered him political. He appreciates a good moving dog and judges a dog on that day. | ||||||||
| Nov 13, 2007 | 4 | Debby Jahnke | Samoyeds | Expert! | ||||
| Placed puppy WD at first show handled. Then went on to award us BOB from the classes over 4 Top 10 BIS specials. Later pulled the puppy in the Group. Commented over liking a dog up on leg, and did not like so many weak pasterns in the breed. (Not sure if sloping pasterns is being interpreted as poor) I felt the pup perhaps could have had a better rear... which was overlooked, or perhaps not noticed. I think he will go and find the best dog and place it as he sees fit,regardless of who is showing it. I have high regard for him and his convictions. | ||||||||
| Sep 18, 2007 | 3 | A Freyer | Komondor, Vizsla, & Ridgebacks | Expert! | ||||
| Mr Clark really seems to like good type & good movement. I'm more then happy to show to him again! Very Big on Correct Tails! Loves a pretty / elegant Vizsla. The more I show to him, the more I like his judging. | ||||||||
| Sep 18, 2007 | 4 | Susan Plouff | Pomeranian, Italian Greyhound | Expert! | ||||
| Likes a good-moving dog with loads of presence. Will put up a larger Pomeranian, but they must be typy. Pefers some leg under his poms. In IG's he loves correct movement and commented on dogs with choppy front movements being abundant in the breed. | ||||||||
| Sep 7, 2007 | 4 | anonymous | Working | Expert! | ||||
| A true "dog man". Knows more about many breeds than do many highly acclaimed judges. Fair to every exhibit. Does have specific "styles" he prefers, and I recommend that you take the time to train your entry before showing to him. | ||||||||
| May 21, 2007 | 5 | Lisa | Havanese | |||||
| This judge really knows the breed standard. He seems to like moderate sized, good moving dogs, and doesn't care who is holding the lead. Will also put up a puppy. | ||||||||
| Apr 22, 2007 | 4 | El Solo Shelties | Shetland Sheepdog | |||||
| Would show to Mr Clark again. Seems to know the breed and very pleasant. | ||||||||
| Apr 13, 2007 | Eden Corgis | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | ||||||
| Can find the good ones. Not afraid to point a puppy, likes movement. | ||||||||
| Jan 31, 2007 | 2 | anonymous | setters | |||||
| have yet to figure out what he likes. Have brought him different types and he dumps them. On my DNS list. | ||||||||
| Jan 3, 2007 | 4 | Simply Sussex | Sussex Spaniel | |||||
| Really knows the breed. Loves the girls (Bitches) and will put one up in a heartbeat if she's deserving. Fun to show too. | ||||||||
You must be a subscribing member to make Public Comments.