Name: Robert Whitney
Province: Castleton, Ontario
Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Kennel Name: Sigma Chi
Years Judging: 25 Years
Licensed For: All Breeds
1) Were you from a family involved in the sport of Purebred dogs?
No we never had a purebred dog but we always had a crossbred dog as a family pet.
2) There is so much seen on various social media pages on the subject of breeder/owner/or novice/exhibitors, whom can no longer compete with the professionals and be successful. As a Judge what are your thoughts on this subject?
There is so much I have always contended that a good owner/handler can compete with the professional’s. I have to emphasis “GOOD” as some people are their own worst enemy when they get in the ring. As a judge there has been more than one time that I’ve wanted to grab the lead off an excellent looking dog that’s being demolished by the exhibitor. It makes it that much harder but the judge has to look beyond the handling sometimes.
3) Did you have a mentor in this sport?
Mrs. Anne Rogers Clark and Mrs. Elaine Whitney
4) Name 5 things on your “bucket list” that you would like to do?
Go to China, go to St Petersburg, Russia, to have a chat with the Pope, learn to fly a plane, take a ride in a stretch limo to the lottery office to collect on my winning ticket for the big prize.
5) Other than your life in dogs, what other interests do you have?
Politics, traveling, gardening, reading
6) Name one thing about you that would surprise people to learn?
It would be that I do have a weird sense of humor some days.
7) How many assignments do you normally do in a year?
I do about twenty days a year.
8) What has been you worst travel experience to date?
Having what turned out to be a gallbladder attack in a plane between Los Angeles and Toronto.
9) What would be your “dream” assignment?
To Judge Afghans at the American National Specialty show, or to Judge the Cavalier home show in England.
10) What changes would you like to see at dog shows?
15 points required for a Canadian championship. As well a Junior Warrant for young Champion dogs. Also a minimum standard size for conformation rings.
11) What are your thoughts on the Reserve Best in Show award, and do you think points should be awarded?
I have never been a fan of Reserve Best in Show. I certainly don’t think points should be allotted. I believe it takes away from the achievement of the dog, which was awarded Best in Show.
12) Do you believe the top breed, group, and best in show rankings should be continued?
I have always been a fan of top dog rankings. This is obviously not possible for everyone to achieve, but I do think it gives the dog shows another level of competition. This doesn’t mean that the real meat and potatoes of a dog show shouldn’t be at the class competition of each breed.
13) Do you think clubs in the same area should cluster together to share the high costs of putting on dog shows?
Actually one of the clubs I belong to is trying that this year. We are going together to help defray costs and hopefully be appealing to exhibitors. In today’s economy, clubs have to try to be creative financially.
14) What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the fancy today?
Apathy and exhibitors that only think about winning ribbons. Also low entries are becoming a REAL problem. I believe the CKC board could help shows in Ontario, by simply expanding the required distance between shows on the same date to be the same as the Prairies (350 miles/ 562 km).
Thank you Robert Whitney for taking part in the Judges Corner
For more information on Canadian Judges please visit
The Canadian Dog Judges Association http://www.dogjudge.com