Welcome to the Judges Education page. This page contains a large number of downloadable guides, articles and links to websites and YouTube videos. They are sorted by subject or by group. Many of these are sourced from overseas so please be aware that they may refer to different standards to our NZ ones. It is advisable to have a copy of the NZ standard with you when reading or viewing the article or video. Australian National Kennel Council also have a large number of extended breed standards. To access these on the ANKC website click here. (Again note that some Australian breed standards vary to the NZ version)
If you have articles of interest which you consider suitable for publication on this page, please send them to the webmaster lavina.diamanti@gmail.com
Exam guides
NZDJA Official Training Guide
Exam criteria flow chart – Effective 1/12/21
Studying for Theory Exams
Preparing for Practical Exams
Guidelines For Examination Candidates
Critiquing by Ray Greer
Examiners Expectations – Presentation notes Karen McIntyre – Christchurch Seminar 2022
General Judging articles and videos
Ringcraft – NZDJA Training Guide
Tips for the Newcomer – NZDJA Training Guide
The Beauty of Moderation By Andrew Brace
Judging Docked Breeds Martyn Slade
Dog Steps by Rachel Page-Elliot – Youtube link
Gait: Observing Dogs in Motion – YouTube Link
Dog Judging with Tom Horner
Canine Anatomy – By Melissa Verplank –YouTube Link
Canine Anatomy – A series compiled by J. Seltzer
Great Expectations – A presentation by Lavina Diamanti
Critiquing – By Andrew Burt (For New Zealand judges training only)
The Critique. Its role in the scheme of things. – By Gay Dunlap
Understanding Major Structural Faults – By Dr Al Grossman
Dynamics of the Rear Assembly – By Steven Robinson
The Mystery of Fronts – Anatomy by Reason – By Wayne Cavanaugh
Form Follows Function – The Canine Neck – By Stephanie Hedgepath
Form Follows Function – Temperament, Personality and Soundness – By Stephanie Hedgepath
Form Follows Function – Sidegait – Stephanie Hedgepath
Form Follows Function – Shoulder assembly – Stephanie Hedgepath
Structure and Movement – Dr C Battaglia
Curvature of the Spine – By Wendell Sammet
Toy Group articles and videos
The Affenpinscher – Back to Basics – By Jacqueline Stacy
Cavalier & King Charles Spaniel – Matthew Morse & Dogs Qld – Youtube Link
Cavalier Movement – By Jeanie Montford
Judging the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – By Stephanie Abraham
The Chihuahua By American Kennel Club – Youtube Link
The Chihuahua Breed Standard – with annotation by Franceso Cochetti
Chihuahuas from Head-2-Toe – By Joao Machado
Breed Priorities – Chihuahuas – By Nikki Riggsbee
English Toy Spaniel or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – By Cindy Huggins
Judging the Havanese – By Candace Mogavero
An Illustrated comparison of standards of the Havanese
Breed Priorities – Brussels Griffon – By Nikki Riggsbee
Judging the Italian Greyhound – By Lilian Barber
The Pug Head
Judging the Pug – By Charlotte Patterson
Breed Priorities – The Maltese – By Nikki Riggsbee
A Yorkie or a Silky – What’s the difference? – By Sandy Mesmer
Comparison Yorkshire Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier, Australian Terrier – By Anne Tureen
Breed Priorities – Yorkshire Terrier – By Nikki Riggsbee
The History of the Coton de Tulear – By Amy Fernandez
Terrier Group articles and videos
The proportions of the Parson, Fox and Jack Russell Terrier
The art of spanning Terriers – by P Simmons and B Novak – YouTube Link
Lakeland vs Welsh Terrier
The Lakeland Terrier – Oregan Dog Judges Symposium
Breed Priorities – Lakeland Terrier – Nikki Riggsbee
Terrier Fronts
The Terrier Shoulder
A Practical Guide to Judging Irish Terriers – ITC of America
A Guide to Judging the Australian Terrier – By Diane Riley
How to evaluate a West Highland White Terrier – by Dr Gerry Miesels
Length, Shape & Topline in the Dandie Dinmont Terrier – by Sandra Pretari Hickson
The Cesky Terrier – By Glenn Dorsey
Judging the Airedale Terrier – By Anne Barlow
Breed Priorities – Airedale Terriers – By Nikki Riggsbee
Smooth Fox Terrier – By Nikki Riggsbee
Breed Priorities – Bedlington Terrier – By Nikki Riggsbee
Breed Priorities – Sealyham Terrier – By Nikki Riggsbee
Cairn Terrier – Temperament & Expression – By Pat Joyce
Gundog Group articles and videos
Judging the Golden Retriever– by Sandra Patterson
How to judge the Golden Retriever – GRCA video link
Judging the Flatcoated Retriever– by Claire Trevelyan
Extended standard of the Flat Coated Retriever – by Becky Johnson
Breed Priorities – Flat-Coated Retriever – By Nikki Riggsbee
Judging the Pointer – By Paul Robinson
The Pointer Standard Comparison USA v UK
Assessing the show pointer – by Wayne Cavanaugh
History of the Pointer – By Lee Connor
Judging Labrador Dogs – With Linda Harvey Major – YouTube Link
Hunt Point Retrieve Breeds – By Claire Trevelyan
Judging the Weimaraner – By Judy Colan
Breed Priorities – Weimaraner – By Nikki Riggsbee
English Cocker Spaniel – Understanding correct type vs common faults
Breed Priorities – The English Cocker Spaniel – By Nikki Riggsbee
Scotlands Gundog – The History of the Gordon Setter – By Lee Conner
The Setters – By Raewyn Anderson
Illustrated breed compendium for Lagotto Romagnolo – By Renee Sporre-Willes
The Lagotto Romagnolo History of the Breed
Breed Priorities – Chesapeake Bay Retrievers – by Nikki Riggsbee
Breed Priorities – Cocker Spaniel (American) – by Nikki Riggsbee
Breed Priorities – German Wirehaired Pointer – By Nikki Riggsbee
Breed Priorities – Irish Setter – By Nikki Riggsbee
Hound Group articles and videos
Norwegian Elkhound Judges Notes
The Dachshund by Robert Cole
Keys to judging the Dachshund by Yo Batchelor
Illustrated Dachshund Standard by Robert Cole
Origin and History of the Dachsund
Judging the Dachshund with Pam and Dave Peat – Youtube link
World Union Teckel – Commentary to the FCI Standard for Dachshunds
Ibizian Hounds hunting – Youtube link
Greyhound Galloping in Slow Motion – Youtube link
Basenji Club of America Judges Education Video – Youtube link
The Basenji – By American Kennel Club – Youtube link
Breed Priorities – Basenji – By Nikki Riggsbee
Judging the Bassett Hound by Maree McKenzie
Breed Priorities – Basset Hound – By Nikki Riggsbee
Judging the Azawakh by Dr.Cristian VANTU (INSOLENS Azawakhs)
Exploring the Whippet Breed Standards – By Molly Rule-Steele
Illustrated Whippet Standard – The American Whippet Club
Illustrated Whippet Standard – The Swedish Whippet Club
Breed Priorities – Whippet – By Nikki Riggsbee
The Saluki
Breed Priorities – Salukis – By Nikki Riggsbee
Approaching the Ridgeback By Denise Flaim
Rhodesian Ridgeback – Coat, Colour, Pigment & The Ridge
Judging The Afghan Hound – By Harry Bennett
Afghan Hound – Notes on Motion – By Sandy Motz
Afghan Hound Head Carriage – By Terry Wilcox
Breed Priorities – Afghan Hound – By Nikki Riggsbee
Through the Centuries with Sighthounds – By Amy Fernandez
Portuguese Podengo – Claire “Kitty” Steidel
Breed Priorities – Black and Tan Coonhound – By Nikki Riggsbee
Breed Priorities – Finnish Spitz – By Nikki Riggsbee
Breed Priorities – PBGV – By Nikki Riggsbee
Breed Priorities – Pharaoh Hound – By Nikki Riggsbee
Working Group articles and videos
The Great Debate – The German Shepherd – by Louis Donald
A description of the Long Coat German Shepherd – by Louis Donald
German Shepherd Dog Dingo vom Haus Gero – Youtube link
How to evaluate the GSD in the Show Ring Part 1 – Youtube link
How to evaluate the GSD in the Show Ring Part 2 – Youtube link
Judging the Border Collie by Eileen Garlick
Judging the Shetland Sheepdog by Ray Greer
Shetland Sheepdog Head – By Deidre Crofts
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi NZDJA June 2018
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Notes
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi – By Cynthia Savioli
Welsh Corgi – Cardigan and Pembroke – Breed Feature
Judging the Australian Shepherd – By Nanette Newbury
Belgian Shepherd Seminar – By Linda Trotter – YouTube link
Judging the Belgian Tervuren – By Sharon Ann Redmer
Breed Priorities – Belgian Malinois – By Nikki Riggsbee
Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog – Study of the breeds with Narelle Hammond
Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog – By Ria Horter
The Australian Cattle Dog – By Narelle Hammond & Guy Hull
Judging the Bearded Collie – Bearded Collie Club of America – Website link
The Miniature American Shepherd
Breed Priorities – Miniature American Shepherd – By Nikki Riggsbee
The Briard – Acing the exam – By Becca Weber
Breed Priorities – Bouvier des Flandres – By Nikki Riggsbee
Breed Priorities – Collies – By Nikki Riggsbee
Utility Group articles and videos
The Tibetan Mastiff
The Neapolitan Mastiff
How to judge the Doberman Pinscher – (USA origin) – Youtube link
The History and Developments of the Doberman – By L Diamanti
The Head and Expression of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog – By L Diamanti
The Alaskan Malamute – By The Alaskan Malamute Club of America
The Alaskan Malamute – By The Americian Kennel Club – YouTube Link
Presenting the Newfoundland – by the NC of America – YouTube link
The Worldwide Boxer – By Judy Horton – Website link
Understanding the Boxer Bite – Monique Hodgkinson
Boxer – Body style comparisons
How to judge the Saint Bernard – Website link
Italian Corso Dog Judging Information
Cane Corse – The Movement – By Ernesto Di Maio
Cane Corso – Breed Education
The Shikoku
Judging the Shiba Inu – By Laura Payton
Breed Priorities – Shiba Inu – By Nikki Riggsbee
Examining and Judging the Siberian Husky – By Donna Beckman
The Newfoundland – By Joao Vasco Pocas
Dogue de Bordeaux
Judging the Akita – By Nancy Amburgery
Breed Priorities – Akita – By Nikki Riggsbee
Icon of the breed – The Rottweiler – By Steve Wolferson
Judging the Bullmastiff – By Helene Nietsch
The Bullmastiff – Something to Think About – By Helene Nietsch
Landseer European Continental Type – Judging Guidelines
Breed Priorities – Anatolian Shepherd Dog – By Nikki Riggsbee
Breed Priorities – Greater Swiss Mountain Dog – By Nikki Riggsbee
Non Sporting Group articles and videos
The Tibetan Terrier
Breed Priorities – Tibetan Terrier – By Nikki Riggsbee
Evaluating the Lhasa Apso – By the American Lhasa Apso Club
Judging the Lhasa Apso – By Barbara Schwartz & Jan Bruton
Breed Priorities – Lhasa Apso – By Nikki Riggsbee
The Great Dane Story – YouTube link
Great Dane Illustrated Standard – The Great Dane Club of America
Poodle Colours – Poodle Club of South Australia – Website link
The poodle Haircut
The Chow Chow Retaining Stilted/Pendulum Gait – By Bernice Leroy
The Chow Chow Stilted Gait – Chow Chow Club – Website link
Judging the Boston Terrier – By Ken Roux
The Boston Terrier – Illustrated Standard – The Boston Terrier Club of America
Judging the French Bulldog – By Luis Sosa
Judging the Shih Tzu – By Joe Walton
Something important about Shar Pei – By Viera Staviarska
A judges guide for Dalmatians – Dalmatian Club of America
Dalmatian – Breed Specific Education – Croatian Kennel Club
