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Mr. Dana P. Cline [7276] ALBANY, GA
Initial Breed: Great Danes
Judge (etc.) Rating System:   (instructions)
This judge has been rated by 151 members
 with an average rating of: 3.4 
including 17 Judge Experts
 with an average rating of: 2.9 
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  5 - Excellent
  4 - Good
  3 - Fair/Average
  2 - Below Expectations
  1 - Not Acceptable
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DateRtgDisplay NameBreed(s)
Apr 13, 20245AnnonMultiple
Very business like in his exam. Acts as if he is considering all dogs, but the vast majority of the time it goes to the pros regardless of the dog’s quality.
Dec 17, 2023AnonymousChinese Cresteds
105% POLITICAL JUDGE. Judges like this are destroying the sport. They do not judge the dog at all. When you can predict the ribbon line up based on who is on the end of the lead, there is a problem. When people fly across the country to show just that one day and win, there is a problem. I no longer give this man my entries.
Dec 15, 20231Anonterriers
Agree with the last two posters. Extremely political. Puts up handlers, club presidents and seems to be looking for assignments. On my DNS list
Nov 14, 20231AnoymousBoxers
Nope. Clueless! Did a truly poor job judging Boxers (I didn't know any of the dogs entered, no connection to any of the breeders/owners/handlers). Did not pick for movement, soundness, or type. Put up a random assortment of dogs of varying quality across the board. Clearly didn't follow the standard or even basic structure/movement principles. WHY does this judge get hired?!
Nov 7, 2022145YearsShowingDogsSporting
Polite, nice guy to show to, but really doesn't know the breeds. Likes to put up pros. Inconsistent across breeds and puts up untypey, poor movers with a handler over much better dogs. Even when the choice should be easy, you never know which way he'll go.
Sep 23, 20225Toy FancierToy BreedsExpert!
It is rare to find a judge that you can actually watch CONSIDER his choices carefully. checking and rechecking his thought process. A judge that does not judge a dog on the table. but on the ground. Not afraid to put up class dogs over multiple specials, and equally able to put up a special that he feels fits what he is looking for. First time showing to him, but i felt he was looking for movement above all else. Win or Loose.....he was a pleasure to show to, and a pleasure to watch judge
May 20, 20225Sawyer GleasonLowchen
I love showing to Mr. Cline, I always try to make it to shows when I see that he is on the panel. He really seems to enjoy his time, loves the dogs, and IME has always been fair and kind.
Apr 25, 20225AnonPWC
I love to show to this judge! He will only put up worthy dogs, every time. Even puppies over specials! Rewards soundness, movement and type.
Dec 11, 20215Marcia GarstinCavalier King Charles Spaniel
I always enjoy showing to Mr Dana Cline, whether or not he chooses the dog I am bringing that day. Mr Cline takes the time to evaluate each dog and genuinely seems to enjoy what he is doing. I value his opinion and would travel to give him another entry.
Jul 13, 20215smilyjoetoys
awesome judge-enjoys what he is doing -will always give him an entry
Apr 26, 20213DDSiberian Husky
Mr. Cline is extremely inconsistent in our breed, but he occasionally picks out a nice dog and mostly recognizes the need for leg/moderation. He seems quite misinformed when it comes to movement though.
Jan 28, 2020Multi breedsmult breeds
Mr. Cline. Likes the surprise element in his ring. He falls in love with class dogs or pups. And will Many Many times put them up for BOB.
Oct 25, 20194Rough and Smooth Collies
Was very impressed by his ring procedures and demeanor, evaluated each dog consistently. Seemed to understand the head in our breed while appreciating movement. Would absolutely give an entry to him with a Collie that has a lean and light head.
Oct 10, 20195Lisa Leady Smooth Fox Terriers
showed Under him for the first time last weekend. What a delightful gentleman. Patient with exhibitors, and most importantly the dogs. He is very gentle going over them. Takes his time making his decisions. Will definitely show under again.
Oct 7, 20195Lisa Leady Smooth Fox Terriers
showed Under him for the first time last weekend. What a delightful gentleman. Patient with exhibitors, and most importantly the dogs. He is very gentle going over them. Takes his time making his decisions. Will definitely show under again.
Aug 26, 20195Patty HarbisonLakeland Terriers
Unfailingly pleasant, gentle with the dogs, takes his time. Relatively new to terriers & has obviously studied up on them. Not my experience that he's a "handler" judge.
Apr 7, 2019LindaPomeranian
Just showed to him, had never shown to him before, he seemed very nice. Loves puppies, and small,which I had noticed when I looked at what he put up in the past.
Jan 7, 20195Kittie Deemerpapillon, chinese crested
I stewarded for Mr. Cline yesterday morning. We had a variety of breeds, and I found him to be thorough and thoughtful in his placements. He was also approachable when I had a question for him of a ring procedure nature. I have shown to him in the past, I believe, but a very accurate measure of a judge is to steward for him/her.
Nov 5, 20185DSBgirlKeeshond
Found him very thorough and consistent on type. At a specialty he put up Grandfather BIS, Grandson AOM and great-grandson BOW/ WD. Dam of BOW also made final cut. He is great with puppies and looks for good carriage and movement. Was checking fronts on the ramp, picking up the dog every so slightly and dropping them. Gave our specials male every opportunity to show himself off more but he just would not put out. Could not fault the placement we received.
Sep 19, 20185Valarie CheimisPulik
Always nice showing to Mr. Cline. He gives every dog a good look. He is great with puppies and if a really great puppy is entered, he may put it up over the specials. We don't have many handlers in our breed, so I can't say if he only puts up handlers.
Apr 17, 20185toy
Very kind and always professional. Will show to him anytime
Mar 31, 20183korppretstandard schnauzer
A very patient judge working with puppies & seemed to enjoy the youngsters - took his time & would not hesitate to show a young dog to him.
Feb 20, 20185Elaine SummerhillGreyhoundsExpert!
Great judge. Kind & gentle. Very patient. Will work with a dog that's misbehaving or shy. Great for puppies.
Aug 25, 20174Robin GatesBoston Terrier
Mr Cline loves a beautiful head and expression which is a hallmark of the breed. He also wants the proper topline and movement to go with it. All dogs shown were moderate so no visible size preference. Will show to again.
Jul 2, 20175smilyjoetoys
mr Cline was very kind to exhibitors and dogs. His exam was gentle but very through ,he seems to like a small showy dog. will show to him again
Jun 12, 20174Ben AndrewsBullmastiff & Jr Showmanship
Mr. Cline was great in breed very clear with instructions. Obviously knew what he was looking for. Gave each entry a solid look and thorough inspection. Placements were consistent with what this field usually sees. In Jr. Showmanship his character really shined. He was very instructive and patient. He repeated his instructions to handlers that could not hear him due to background noise. Great experience for my two sons who are new to Jr. handling.
May 3, 20174Tatianaschnauzers
How I understand Mr.Dana P. Cline was provisional for the terrier breeds on show I attended. However I was pleasantly surprised by him really trying to pick the right dogs, not the right people. I had bred/By, puppy and special that day and he put my puppy over my BredBy... Frankly I would have done just the same... Then in group he made very good picks too, I wasn't a one of them, but there were some very good terriers. Can't really say how he is piking (or not) his handlers, but he sure has good eye for the dogs in terrier group. UPDATE. Few years later. Still like him a lot, but sorry to notice him getting more political.
Jun 6, 20162AnnonymousDachshundsExpert!
12/2019-Holy handler-if you were not a handler you can forget even getting a chance. He literally went down the line in every coat and looked at the dog then the face and pulled the faces for his cut. 6/2016--Showed outside in grass. Mostly minis and one young standard. He did make an attempt to try to see the mini in the grass but kept repeating to me, "I just can't see in the grass". Had my mini and the one standard go around 4 different times before finally giving variety to the standard. When handing the ribbon, he repeated how he could not see. Well you obviously liked something. Moral, don't show minis to him in the grass, he can't find them.
Jun 4, 20165Mary CSamoyed
I must disagree with those who state that Mr. Cline will only put up known faces. I am an owner/handler with my very first show dog and am definitely an unknown. It took me two years to finish my girl due to my steep learning curve. I was looking forward to showing to Mr. Cline as he was specifically mentioned to me by my mentor as someone who would probably like my girl, because he liked her sire. The opportunity came a little over a month ago when he was judging Sams the day after our specialty show. My girl went WB/OS to finish her Championship. The next month there was a Specialty Show well over 4 hours away that I was planning to skip since my girl finished. I looked at the show again and noticed that Mr. Cline would be judging one day of the two day specialty. Since he obviously liked my girl, I figured it was worth the trip. I was hoping we might get *something* though I had modest expectations due to the stiffer competition of a Specialty Show. Well… he still liked her and awarded her BOB that day! Now… I DO absolutely agree with the many comments about him being a movement judge. That is my girl’s special trait… She moves really well. And I had to chuckle at someone’s comment that you should be prepared to run around the ring several times. He was looking at the movement and was clearly making sure he was choosing the one he liked the best. He even, at one point toward the end, gave me some direction on fixing something I was doing while moving her that was not allowing him to see everything he needed to see. I followed the direction and she won the specialty show. I also noticed, when I had time to look around, that he seemed to work nicely with all the dogs and was very kind and polite to everyone. I feel that Mr. Cline was professional and pleasant and made the show enjoyable for everyone.
May 30, 2016ColliesCollies
Gentle hands. Seems to know a Collie head should be lean and where the eyes should be placed. Pleasant to show to.
Apr 7, 20161anonCavalier King Charles Spaniel
He will put up well known faces, handlers, breeders handlers, friends etc. I will not waste my money again.
Nov 22, 20153AnonymousHounds
I have shown to this judge 2x. Both times he looked at faces. To be fair, entries were small and all dogs were good. Gonna give him one more chance. I would like to see him put up some OHs with equally good dogs over faces- will update. He was definitely looking for movement. Has a nice way with the dogs.
Sep 29, 20151Siberian HandlerSiberian Husky
Nice person but clueless on movement. Seemed to pick the dogs with the most flaws for the wins rather than those with clean coming and going as well as side gait.
Jul 1, 20155ToysSeveral toys
Mr cline has been fun to show to. He is friendly and seems to prefer a good moving dog. He awards owner handlers and is great with puppies. I'd show to him anytime!!
May 11, 20155SHERRON KONECKIRhodesian Ridgeback
We showed to Mr. Cline this weekend. Saw no signs of politics in the ring. On this day he choose a owner handler pup over professional handlers. He appreciates fluid movement in pups. He takes his time and is very direct.
Apr 22, 20155rridgebacksruleRhodesian Ridgeback
a really great judge!
Mar 23, 20155KloubrDachshund
2nd time showing to this judge. He likes good movement and is very friendly. Was very good with my young puppy.
Feb 9, 20151Owner Breeder HandlerAustralian Shepherds
I watched Mr Cline's judging earlier this year and noticed he was very political in our breed but would consider bred by, given little choice elsewhere. On a specialty weekend there was a large choice of dogs both owner/handled and professionally across the classes. He was very political and would put cute over soundness in almost every class. In one class moved the sound dog ahead of the "cute dog" because it was evident the dog couldn't move, he then promptly rewarded the unsound animal. He did find a lovely Winners Dog however given the way he awarded classes it was the only viable option. Wouldn't waste my money showing to him again.
Jan 21, 20151AnonymousGreat Dane
Puts more importance on correctly marked harle family dogs than the standard does. Perfect markings on harle/mantle more important than structure or type. If your harle/mantle less than perfectly marked, save your entry fee.
Jan 20, 20155Penny KingVariousExpert!
I showed multiple dogs to Mr. Cline over the 5-day Rose City Classic shows. I won some, I didn't win some. Either way, I found him to be courteous to the exhibitors, gentle and kinds to the animals. I agreed with some of his choices, disagreed with some but not one time did I WONDER about his choices. He found good dogs consistently.
Nov 5, 20143owner handlerworking
2019 update - watched Mr Cline judge all the groups and BIS (he had no breed assignments that day) He efficiently sorted the dogs and deftly came up with pretty much the same 4 dogs as all the other judges during the 4 day event. No surprises, and I was hoping for one as there were some really nice dogs that were not making the final 4. 2016 update: becoming more and more disappointed with his choices. I Know he knows a good dog, but has gotten lazy at the breed level and not willing to evaluate the exhibits on that day. has been able to find littermates of similar type & quality regardless if OH or PH & in different parts of the country. Pleasant, competent. will get my entries. Can be more political in the group ring. 2014 Update - disappointed with his judging - watched him in several breeds - made good choices in some breeds, in others just went with the obvious even when there were far better choices.
Oct 26, 20142Kass Gouldingflat-coated retriever
Mr. Cline had a decent sized entry of good to excellent quality. He carried the open bitch to BB. His understanding of breed type varied from mine :-) He was great with the dogs and I would not hesitate to bring him an inexperienced puppy.
Jul 12, 20145BekkiPharaoh Hound
Love showing to this judge, even though we don't win under him. Took some puppies to him and he was so great with them. And he looked hard at my class dog for BOB..!
Jul 7, 20142Breeder Owner HandlerBeagles
Consistently inconsistent. Can be political but bring him a very pretty puppy and you may well go Breed over handlers and specials. If you have the special beware the pretty puppy even if it doesn't gait well ;)
Apr 18, 20145Maria Elena PereiraHavanese
Fair and impartial in the breed ring. He will put up the dog he like regardless of who is on the other end of the lead. I have won and lost under him with my special but I do respect his choices. He seems to like a sound, pretty, nice moving Havanese. May be a little political in the group ring but there was quality in the ring so it's hard to know for sure. He will always get any entry from me.
Feb 26, 20144Crystal StockBoxer
Mr. Cline recently judged a boxer specialty. I was told that he was very political and would only put up dogs from X handler... Well.. not a single dog from that handler won points. We had over 20 boxer bitches there and somehow he found me (Owner handler) and my PLAIN boxer girl in that lineup from the BRED BY class for a MAJOR!
Sep 10, 20132Sherry ShivleyBoxer
Did not look at the dogs in the ring, handled my puppy roughly. Will not show to him again.
Aug 12, 20135PWCPembroke
Very polite. And picks what he likes no matter who is on end of the lead. Likes a real pretty headed corgi.
Jul 15, 20134Andrea ElliottVarious
He's a movement judge and will look for correct head type. He's pleasant to show to and is good with puppies and first timers. I will always show to him.
May 30, 20134AnonymousWorking
Standard isn't the objective. Puts up friends continuously with rubber band top lines over beautiful top lines. Also pretends to make decision based on movement and then ignores the best movers out in the ring. DNS. have given him too many chances!!
May 30, 20133anonymousworking
He is definitely a movement judge.
Dec 30, 20124DebiBelgian Tervuren
I showed to this judge once. I did not place, but what I really like about this judge is that he will talk to the handlers and let them know what he saw and why you were not picked. I wish more judges would talk to the handlers. Will show to him again.
Dec 13, 20124MEinVTHounds
Showed to this judge for the first time on the 1st of December. He was "to-the-point" and is very much a movement judge. If it's close between two equally well conformed hounds be prepared for multiple trips around the ring. He appeared to be fair in his evaluation of the hounds presented to him. I would show to this judge again.
Nov 7, 20123anonymousworking
First time showing to this judge & will show to him again even tho I did not win- am an owner/handler. He complimented the 2 bitches in the ring-mine & the other shown by a P/H- he gave the pt to the P/H-. I will try him another time to see how he judges & see if he is influenced by the P/H's.
Sep 5, 20121anonymousExpert!
Does not know type, put up his breeder's dogs 100%. BOB has been winning well and nice dog, that is a given, owned by his breeder. BOW went to a coated but A framed in structure, front/rear, puppy, again, OWNED BY HIS BREEDER, over better dogs. Does not know movement, type and obviously the AKC rules.
Aug 20, 20121 anonHoundsExpert!
For a judge that used to handle hounds, his knowledge did not transfer to his judging. He was very in consistent, seemed to enojoy beating specials from the classes with specimens that not only had poor front assembly's but poor breed type. Additionally I can see be good with shy dogs and puppies but was seen rewarding a puppy that was so shy thay it crawled around the ring with Reserve to a 4 point major.
Apr 11, 20122Charles McCallumRidgebacks
No sign of politics the two times I've shown to him (and I'm a little fish in a big pond). If a breed(s) is 90% pro-handled and he picks handlers often, does that mean he's a handler judge?
Apr 4, 20125PoiseSiberian Husky
I found him very pleasant to show to and would definitely show to him again.
Jan 15, 20125kathleen lazzariniGreater Swiss Mountain Dog
He certainly was not going with handlers on this day! I am a reasonably novice own-handler and he gave my dog her second WB for a 4 point major over a number of handlers and "professional" owner handlers. I was told by the more seasoned people that he was looking at top line and movement and he gently suggested I get her head up a little more as I headed out for the down and back. A pleasure to show to!
Oct 25, 20114AnonymousDoberman
Doesnt give good movement any notice. Put up Dog for BOB with no front and poor movement. Must have been handler face. Noticed some handlers held out their entries the day he judged. When people spend money and travel to a dog show..all we ask is that our dogs are given a decent look and have the best dog win!!! It's okay if it's not mine, but it better be a deserving dog that does win..
Aug 15, 20111anonymousmultiple
Political and doesn't know the standard in my breeds. Got nothing with the good ones in one breed and got BOB with a puppy in the other breed who didn't deserve it b/c there were much better adults in the ring. Gave him three tries. Will never show to him again with anything. And, yes, he will move you and move you and move you and then put up the poor mover.
Jun 12, 20114Adrienne FreyerVizslaExpert!
Likes a moderate well balanced dog. Seems to like elegance in this breed, too. No politics in this day's judging.
Jun 2, 20114AnonymousDoberman
This fellow is on my DNS List. He is politically motivated and doesn’t really give the dogs a very good look. Just playing it “safe” and going with the Known Breed Specific Handlers whether or not they were showing the best dogs. It’s too bad.
May 31, 20111AnonymousWorking
It is all about the the face and no longer the dog. A shame, it used to be different.
May 15, 20115Owner HandlerGreat Dane
Gave our 15 mo dog BOB over 4 top 20 specials with very well known handlers on them,for a 3pt major owner handled!! will show to him again.
Aug 22, 20104AegisGreater Swiss Mountain Dogs
Very pleasant to show to. Also seems to like puppies and will use them.
Feb 6, 20105Carol DryMinPinsExpert!
What a wonderful judge and great person. So patient and seems to enjoy each and every dog in the ring. Great with puppies on the table and forgiving of a minpin puppies silliness, Would show to him anytime I have the chance
Dec 28, 20094PoetryIrish Wolfhounds
Very pleasant to show to. Did very well with my bitch puppy. Will show to again.
Dec 22, 20094Von Wolff DachshundsDachshunds-Smooth
I brought my 6mo Smooth Puppy bitch to him..hoping just for a good first experience for her...we came away with the WB,BOW and a very good feeling about judge Cline.
Jul 14, 20095Kimeric CorgisPWC
Very polite in the ring and will use puppies. Will show to again.
Mar 3, 2009AZCAVCavaliers
Did an good job of judging overall. Seemed to like small, "plush" cavaliers, although I didn't personally agree with all of his choices he did seem to know what he was looking for. I didn't necessarily think he was that political.
Feb 1, 20094Carri J Lindblom BorischBernese Mountain DogsExpert!
Have shown to him many times over the years. He knows good breed type and looks for structurally sound dogs. He will, however, go with handlers when the mood strikes him.
Dec 25, 20081Working dogs
Hire a handler . . . better yet save your money
Dec 17, 20083Lisa WilliamsGreat Dane
Movement and expression are what he seems to like in Danes.
May 21, 20081anonymous in CaliforniaWorking Dogs
He does not watch the dogs move at all, and doesn't even seem to be looking for the breed standard. I have shown to him 3 times, and all 3 times, all handlers were put up (most were the same handlers with different dogs).
Mar 16, 20081German Shorthaired PointersGerman Shorthaired Pointers
FACES - FACES - FACES Pleasant, seemed to judge, but found all the faces in the ring. No real rhyme or reason to his placements. Once he got to specials he did finally do a good job or the applause swayed him to do the right thing.
Feb 24, 20082anonNon SportingExpert!
Was very excited when Mr Cline was approved for Non Sporting...However that turned sour! Watched him judge 4 different times, and he definately knows who the players are,and puts them up! Not impressed by his lackluster judging!
Jan 27, 20084Adrienne FreyerKomondorExpert!
Very Pleasant man to show to. Gentle with the dog, but still did a thorough exam.
Nov 12, 2007Debby JahnkeSamoyedsExpert!
Handled Classic Edition Samoyeds and will put up similar typed dogs... bit less coat and bone and smaller dogs. He knows good movement and can find the decent dog. Knows the breed.
Mar 12, 20074DawnofthedanesGreat Danes
Likes very typey
Jan 28, 20074Marauder KennelsRottweilers
Pleasant to show to. Looks at dogs. Likes movement.
Jan 8, 20073Ardenvale BoxersBoxers
Appears willing to put up natural ears.

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