Bloomington, Indiana Resident Selected to Judge at 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

​The Westminster Kennel Club has selected Bloomington, Indiana resident Mr. Douglas Johnson as the Sporting Group judge for the 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan. Group judging for the historic sesquicentennial event will be held on the evenings of February 2-3 at Madison Square Garden, with breed competitions taking place earlier in the day at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The Best in Show winner will be crowned at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden, the original home of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, on February 3 and will be judged by two-time Westminster Best in Show-winning breeder-owner-handler David Fitzpatrick. Tickets for all events at both Madison Square Garden and the Javits Center are on sale now through westminsterkennelclub.org.
 
The 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show judging panel represents a variety of excellence in the sport, featuring world-class breeders, leading handlers, and historic winners from all over the globe. For the complete judging panel, please visit westminsterkennelclub.org/judges.
 
Mr. Douglas Johnson grew up surrounded by dogs, working at a veterinary clinic cleaning runs and walking dogs. One weekend, a Clumber Spaniel came to stay, and he found himself immediately taken with the unique breed. After some research, he found a local breeder and mentor who got him involved in showing dogs.

Since then, he has bred more than 250 AKC Champions, including two Westminster Best in Show winners. He currently balances his breeding program while also judging all over the world. This will be his seventh Westminster judging assignment, and he is keenly aware of the honor and privilege of being invited to judge at the show. Of his assignment, he is most looking forward to the challenge of judging a competitive group of excellent Sporting dogs. He has a unique history with the Sporting Group, having bred three previous group winners, and also judging it once before in 2019.
 
Stump’s Best in Show win in 2009 is the highlight of Mr. Johnson’s Westminster memories, considering Stump’s record-setting age of 10 and triumphant return to the Best in Show ring. Of that evening, he said, “It was exciting to win the show with such a wonderful example of the breed, and to share it with amazing owners and handlers was a dream come true. Considering how rare Sussex Spaniels are, with fewer than 30 born most years, to see your work acknowledged at this show is the ultimate honor.” He always brings his best, whether showing or judging, and he knows that on that night in February, the breeders will bring their best, and it will be exhilarating to judge on the floor of Madison Square Garden.
 
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show’s epic three-day, three-night competitive event will feature over 3,000 champion dogs from around the world, culminating in the coveted Best in Show award. Westminster’s “Canine Celebration” will kick off Westminster Week on Saturday, January 31, at the Javits Center and feature a variety of showstopping activities, including last year’s hugely popular Flyball Tournament at Westminster and the 13th Annual Masters Agility Championship presented by Purina Pro Plan.
 
Additional event information, including partner hotel listings, FOX Sports broadcast and streaming schedules, and more, will be available at westminsterkennelclub.org. Be sure to follow The Westminster Kennel Club on social media to keep up on event news and special announcements.