Living Legend 2003 

To become a candidate, a Judge must receive one hundred nominations.  The three nominees with the greatest support will become the final candidates for Living Legend 2003.  We are interviewing each Nominee but they have busy schedules so be patient!  We will publish one per week, along with your selected, signed comments.  Nominations Close December 1, 2002.  

You may only nominate ONE person.   You may select one of the current Nominees to help that person become a Candidate or nominate a judge not yet listed.   The top three candidates will be announced and interviewed after which, the ballot box will open January 1, 2003.  

Nominations & Comments  
Signed comments will be selected & published monthly

Current Nominees

Michele Billings: (interview pending due to family illness)

• She's been there, knows how hard it is.  Looks at the dogs.  Jimmy A.
• Makes this a classy sport.... looks and acts the part of a adjudicator.  Love that you are doing this in a way that lets regular people vote! Mary M. 
• Gracious and fun lady, and can move through dogs (sorting/separating/judging) like a warm knife in butter!  Jill M.
• I have never met anyone more consistent. Just wish she did my breeds more often. Mike always has a kind word to each Junior she is judging. Chuck S.

Dany Canino: (Click Here for Interview)

• She knows how to train, show, etc. does it all.  Dedicated to making the correct decision no matter who is showing the dog and who would have their nose out of whack. Sharyn J
• “She's not afraid to tell it like it is.  I have never seen her waver from what she feels is the right choice..”  Cindy B.
• Never intimidated by a face, this lady concentrates on the individual dog, giving each her full attention and expecting their best in return. A wonderful, unique individual who reminds us all of why we love dog shows. B. J.  Thompson
• Dogs better behave in her ring.  I like this idea.  She's got my vote.  Frank M.

Ann Rogers Clark: (pending)

• I learned a lot from her and try to apply those lessons in my own rings.  She knows everyone in the ring but tries to concentrate on what she knows about the breed first.  Thanks for doing this in your website.  It puts the credit where it belongs and it I think might bring attention to judges who are legends of a different sort.  
• I don’t like spam but this caught my eye.  I nominate Anne and think this is a good thing you are doing.  I look for the results with interest.
• She should have won.  Edd is okay but doesn't have the years Annie has.  I will watch this next election.  At least we can see what is happening.  Thanks, Jeannine T.

Melbourne T. Downing: (click here for interview)

• I think he might be the oldest man judging and anyway, Mel's wisdom reflects his many years in the sport.  Great guy.  Carol S. 
• My favorite judge is Mel. Downing.  I want to know what he has written about the many dogs I have shown him over the years! Carl M.
• He does not say much but we all know to listen carefully when he tells us something.  He knows more than anyone judging today.  no sig.

Virginia Hampton: (pending)

• Have looked up to her for thirty years and because of her I decided to become a judge.  More of us should base our decisions on caring and knowing about a breed.  Then we can award our friends.  Please don’t give my name. (Okay we won't)
• So quiet and gentle, wonderful starter judge for puppies.  Her hands and her manner are so gentle.  Karen S.
• She’s been there, done that, an owner handler can win under her and she just quietly goes along making up her own mind!  Nobody tells her what to do.  Barbara A.
• A little hard to hear but easy to follow her decisions.  Hope she wins.  Harvey S.

Lester Mapes: (pending)

• He is an honest judge, kind to all the exhibitors and a gentleman in the ring.  All dogs get a fair shot under him, there is no leaning towards certain handlers or exhibitors.  He has been active at many levels of dogdom and is  respected for his open-minded fairness to all.
• Love being on the panel with him.  Always something to learn from a man who is his own man.
• He knows dogs and he likes people but does it his way.  The right way.  Fred K.
• I will go out of my way to show to him because I always get a fair shake.  Sharon F.

Dorothy Nickles: (pending)

• She is a lady, both in and out of the ring.  I never go into her ring that I do not feel that I have to be on my best behavior.  The "school teacher" just comes out in her I guess.
• Taught me a lot about judging but mostly she taught about people and caring.  I hope she wins, she deserves it and she deserves the honor of doing BIS at the Classic.  This is an interesting way to pay tribute to those of us who work so hard to do it right.  Thanks Miss Dorothy.
• She must have been a great teacher because she taught me a lot.  Sally J.
• No one enjoys this more than she does.  She lets it show and it makes everyone try harder and feel better about winning or losing.  Andrew M.

Frank Sabella: (Click here for interview)

• Frank Sabella, probably the most beloved.
• Would like to have known him 20 years ago.  Bet he judged them  just as well then.  I find him kind and gentle and very knowing.  Timothy T.
• Moves effortlessly around the ring and through the standards to the right choice.
• A man of many words and many talents.  A favorite with us all.  Karen T.
• So down to earth and "frank" about his enjoyment and knowledge.  Great guy.  Jim B.

Anna Wanner: (pending)

• Truly an asset to a lot of us judges through the years.  Thank you for the e-mail, keep them coming.
• Always a class act, very gentle with the dogs and tells it like it is.  She always has a kind word for the exhibitor and never seems like she's too much in a hurry to spend a few minutes to chat or answer questions.  She really enjoys judging and it shows!
• Kind to exhibitors.  Example of good grooming, good manners, grace. Frank M.
• Someone said she puts the class in class act.  I agree.  If AKC is concerned about image, this lady could be the poster girl.  Sue H.

Nominations & Comments  
accepted until December 1, 2002.  
Unsigned comments will be counted but will not be published.
You may only nominate one Judge but you may send this to friends
The Top Three Nominees will become the 2003 Candidates