Judges

Born in 1967 into a family of Rough Collie breeders, Sergio began breeding Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and Old English Sheepdogs. He also bred Siberian Huskies, Giant Schnauzers, and now only Rottweilers, having obtained several Championships and Best in Show in Uruguay and abroad in most of these breeds and achieving first place in all breed rankings in 2022 with a female Rottweiler he owned.

Sergio was first licensed as a judge in 1987, with the Uruguayan Kennel Club, and became an FCI All Rounder judge in 1997. As a professional handler, Sergio obtained several national and international championships in different breeds over many years. He is now a member of the examining board for future judges and a specialist judge for the Collie, Old English Sheepdog, Boxer, Doberman, English Cocker Spaniel, Setter, Siberian Husky, Great Dane, Dachshund, and Rottweiler breeds.

Sergio has judged specialist and all-breed shows on several occasions in Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Italy, Romania, Poland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

In 1982, I began breeding and showing Boxers, Pomeranians, Pugs, Shetland Sheepdogs, Sheepdogs, German Shepherd dogs and Miniature Pinschers. In 1983, I started breeding Pomeranians and participating in dog shows. In 1997, I imported the No 1 Boxer, Hite’s Johnny’s puppies, from the United States. In 2008, I imported Hadleigh’s Pomeranians for breeding and achieved all-breed rankings of No 2, No 6, and No 8.

I am currently serving as the President of the Kennel Club of Taiwan and Vice President for Finance of the FCI Grooming Committee. I was certified as an FCI multiple groups judge in 2008 and later qualified as an FCI all-breed judge in 2017.

I have judged several national all-breed dog shows in Taiwan. Additionally, I have been invited to judge in Peru, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, and Korea (2019 Asia, Africa & Oceania Section Shows, 2024 Asia, Africa & Oceania Section Shows), as well as in Brazil, Russia, and Vietnam.

George Kostopoulos was born in Athens, Greece. From an early age his main interest was dogs. Although he graduated from the University of Athens with a degree in Political Science, this interest led him to England and then to the U.S.A. in order to widen his knowledge of dogs.

While in England, he worked for boarding and breeding/show kennels (with Great Danes, Cockers, Am. Cockers & Pekingeses), regularly attending dog shows as exhibitor, ring steward and later judge at Open Shows. Taking a course run by the Canine Studies Institute, he studied the subjects of breeding, showing and judging, gaining the General Certificate of Canine Studies in 1988. In the U.S.A. he specialised in professional dog training at the National K-9 School of Dog Trainers in Columbus, Ohio, graduating in 1989 with the Master Trainer Certificate. He then worked with a Professional Show Handler, helping to show many different breeds at shows all over the East Coast of the United States.

Back in Greece he worked as a professional dog obedience trainer and problem behaviour counsellor for 30 years. He was a Member of the Board of Directors of the Greek Kennel Club (1986–1990) and Vice-President (1990–1992); Vice-President of the Hellenic Animal Welfare Society for 30 years (1993–2023); and President of Athens Canine Society (1993–1998, 2000–2004). He served as Show Manager of the Greek Kennel Club’s shows (1991–1993) and the Athens Canine Society’s shows (1993–1998), President of the Greek Kennel Club’s Judges Committee (2005–2009), and Editor of the Greek Kennel Club’s magazine (1991–1993) and of Top Dogs newspaper (2006–2008).

He has bred Afghan Hounds and Whippets under the kennel name ALLSATIN, with exports to Canada, Italy, Serbia, Spain, Finland, Sweden and Israel, and today breeds Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Cavaliers bred by him include ALLSATIN SABRINA (Top Cavalier Greece 2016, 2× BIS Cavalier Club of Greece), ALLSATIN KELLY (Top Cavalier Greece 2017–2020) and ALLSATIN DORY (Top Cavalier Greece 2021–2023; World Winner 2022, Madrid; #2 All Breeds Greece 2022).

George has judged at Open Shows in England since 1992 and has held an FCI International licence since 1996, approved for All Breeds since 2007. He has judged in 54 countries across 5 continents and has awarded BIS All Breeds in more than 30 countries. Major assignments include the FCI Centenary World Dog Show 2011 (Paris), Irish Showdog of the Year 2014, South Africa Showdog of the Year 2015, Champion of Champions (Estonia & Slovakia), Nordic Winners (Finland & Sweden), Eurasia, SICALAM 2017 (Chile) and FCI European Dog Show 2023 (Denmark).

I got my first Norwich Terrier in 1972 and until today I have bred 174 puppies from 67 litters. I have imported around over 20 dogs from England, Sweden and Italy. The first GB CH to be imported to Finland was GB & INT CH Elve Sir Tarquin in 1993. His son INT CH Rivale Pianoforte was the first Finnish-born World Winner at the first World Dog Show in Helsinki 1998. I have bred or owned 36 Finnish Champions and 27 INT (FCI) Champions.

Regulations for INT CH are four CACIBS in three countries under three different judges and one year between the CACIBS. Due to COVID-19, our dog Ragus Beyond Question had two CCs before moving to the US. The RIVALE kennel has been many times the top breeder in Finland as well Top Stud Dog/Bitch.

I have also imported the first Azawakhs and Lagotto Romagnolos from Italy to Finland, Pomeranian from Japan, Miniature Schnauzers from Spain and Boston Terrier from UK.

I became a judge for Norwich Terriers in 1986, and I have judged the breed all over the world. In 2016 I judged at the WDS in Moscow with an entry of 86 dogs. In 2024 I had the honour to judge 28 dogs at the Swedish Norwich Terrier Club. In England the first Championship Show with CCs was at Richmond 2005 and after that I judged the breed two times and the Terrier Group at Southern Counties. This year I will judge the breed at the Finnish Norwich Terrier Club’s CC-Show as it will be the club’s 40th Anniversary.

I became an all-breed judge by the Finnish Kennel Club in 2007. I have judged the breed in following countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Slovenia, Canada, Argentina, Peru, Portugal, South Korea, China, Thailand, Japan and Australia.

My first appointment in Australia was in the early 1990s at the Royal Adelaide Show. My next Royal was Sydney in 2006. In total, I have judged at 14 shows in Australia.

I am approved to judge the following breeds with CC by the Royal Kennel Club:

• Hound Group: Basenji, Basset Fauve De Bretagne & Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand)
• Terrier Group: Kerry Blue Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier & Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Utility Group: Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, Miniature Schnauzer, Schnauzer & Tibetan Terrier
• Working Group: Bernese Mountain Dog, Giant Schnauzer, Newfoundland & St. Bernard
• Pastoral Group: Finnish Lapphund, Lancashire Heeler, Norwegian Buhund, Samoyed & Swedish Vallhund
• Toy Group: Affenpinscher, Chinese Crested, English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan), Italian Greyhound & Yorkshire Terrier

I first started showing dogs in 1978 when I obtained my first English Setter. I have bred only a few English Setters (under my Windsor Park kennel name) but with some success, having owned a Best in Show winning dog and an ‘In Show’ winning home-bred bitch in New Zealand. I also exported several English Setters to Australia. After a break from owning, breeding and showing Setters, I decided it was time to own and exhibit a Griffon Bruxellois, again with some success.

I became involved in club management in 1978 when I was elected to the committees of both the English Setter Club and the Southern Gundog Society. I spent 10 years as the Secretary/Treasurer of the English Setter Club. I have been Vice President and President of the Southern Gundog Society and was thrilled to be made honorary life member of this society. I am currently President of the NZ Griffon Bruxellois Club.

In 1983 I judged my first Ribbon Parade and gained my first Championship Show Group licence (Gundogs) in 1987. I have been a Championship Show All Breeds judge since 2010. I have been a committee member of the Christchurch Branch of the NZ Dog Judges Association and am currently involved with the NZDJA as a lead examiner for the practical examinations of eligible candidates. This role is an honour and gives me great pleasure when I see candidates progressing through the system on their judging journey.

I have judged at All Breed, Group and Specialty Shows throughout NZ, in Australia (Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, SA and WA), Canada and South Africa. More recently judging at FCI Shows here and overseas, including judging BIS.

I really enjoy being a part of the dog world and having contact with the people and their dogs. I really look forward to each and every judging appointment and to me there is nothing better than having the privilege of judging beautiful dogs and meeting great people along the way (except maybe riding my Triumph Street Triple motorcycle!).

Singapore Kennel Club All-Breeds judge Kelvin Ng brings extensive regional experience in conformation, with a keen eye for breed standards to the 2026 panel. Mr. Ng is scheduled to judge the Toys group and Best in Show at the Curtain Raiser, alongside Utility, Non-Sporting, and Hound groups during the National Dog Show and A2O events.