Newly Appointed All Breeds Judges

Janelle Mannell:

I purchased my first Chihuahua “Donalu Wendolin” back in 1972. I then joined the RAS of NSW two years later and purchased my first show Chihuahua from the late Nancy Gate of Gates Kennels in Revesby. “Aust. Ch. Gates Lady Shalimar” became our foundation bitch and Australian Champion. Then came our first home bred pup – Ch. Jaja Billy Dekidd, a winner of RDCC Sydney Royal a few years later.

During the late 70’s and early 80’s I also handled many Poms for the old established Egyptian Kennels of George and Phylis Lawnton along with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel purchased from Betty Stepkovitch of Stepkova Kennels.

In 1986 I married Bill Mannell and we formed a combined prefix of Chijani which along with Jaja also produced many champions.

During this time we adopted a Rhodesian Ridgeback “Aust.Ch.Xynic Sultan” from friends and fell in love with the breed. Then just before moving to Qld we won Res. Chall Bitch at the Sydney Royal with a lovely young Stylesetter bitch bred by Stylesetter Kennels.

In 1989 we moved to Qld and Lhasa Apsos were introduced into the fold, followed by Tibetan Terriers with many in show wins with the notable “Aust. Ch. Bakit Princeof Lo” and his home bred daughters, Tessa, Blossom and Star.

Border Collies were then added with the lovely “Auldbrig Man O War” from Roslyn Tapp.

After the demise of my marriage in 1993, Chinese Cresteds were introduced into my kennel, bringing me back into the toy ring. I bred the Best In Show Winner at the Inaugural Chinese Crested Club Show of Queensland with “Ch. Jaja Leunng Snow Lily” and her litter brother “Ch. Jaja Snow Leopard” won Res Challenge at the same show.

Currently we are breeding and exhibiting Chihuahua’s and so coming full circle back to the original first love and occasionally breeding a litter of Border Collies under the ClanKelton prefix, including “Ch. ClanKelton Sir Walter Raleigh” who has successful progeny not only here but in the UK.

I have held many positions in the Chihuahua Club of NSW and Secretary of St. George District KC of which both Bill (dec’d) and I are Life Members. I have also held the position of Show Secretary for QKC. I’m currently a member of Nanango District Kennel Club and the Chihuahua Club of Qld.

I started the judges training scheme in Qld in 1990 with many breaks in between. Many people may know me from “Classic Show Supplies” travelling to shows every weekend around Qld and NSW for 12yrs, therefore progress though slow was steady .... culminating in me attaining the status of “All Breeds Judge” in 2021.

Sharyn Phillips:

I commenced showing dogs in the 80’s when my first breeds were German Wirehaired Pointers and West Highland White Terriers.

I was living in Townsville, North Queensland at the time and my friends and I used to travel to shows together. As we all had different breeds, I became interested in learning about other breeds as well as my own. Eventually I commenced the Judges Training Scheme in Brisbane so I could continue my interest in learning. I obtained my first English Springer Spaniel in 1992 and he was a multi Best In Show winner.

I have since been successful over the years under my kennel prefix, ‘Larona’ breeding several BIS All Breed and Specialty winners. I still currently breed and show English Springer Spaniels and also show Skye Terriers which I hope to continue with. It is an honour to have attained my All Breeds status and a privilege to be trusted by exhibitors to judge their dogs. Thank you to everyone; the learning will always continue.

David Kill:

To say I was born in a whelping box would be over dramatic and exaggeration, however, it is true that my family’s long association with dogs started with a baby David scared of dogs and a mother rectifying that situation head on by adding a four-legged family member… and then two and more. The show ring thing started fifty-four years ago. I was supposed to be the onlooker of our Golden Cocker Spaniel’s proud debut in the Rockhampton Kennel Club event but when other family members decided they were not showing, I was the first Kill to show a dog……stacking her rear end first towards the judge and grinning.

The Kill household was very much filled with lots of breeds and lots of different kennel prefixes competing for kennel space. Bunyarra, Teralc, Bifield and Jalna kennels all under one roof with Cocker Spaniels, English and Irish Setters, Cavaliers, Border Collies and Golden Retrievers all taking up residence in Farnborough, near Rockhampton in Central Queensland.

Judging started in the early 1980s when Herb Field “informed” a 24 year old that his brother was judging so it was time I started ……. So I did what I was told. My first show I judged (I think) was at Hervey Bay. It was memorable for me being put in my place when I asked an exhibitor to slow the dog down (something I continue to say a bit now). The reply I got on the run was “I only know one speed young man!” I judged my first ever Parade / Open show General Specials in 1985, the year of the ETU strikes. It was my first experience judging the BIS and judging at “real” speed before lights went out. Over the years I have owned, bred and/or exhibited Cocker Spaniels, English Setters, Whippets, Pointers, Border Collies and now I am breeding and exhibiting Irish Water Spaniels under the Bunyarra prefix, the breed that has fascinated me since my teenage years. Although primarily involved with Gundogs I am a student of all breeds and love nothing more than seeing breeds true to standard and original function.

The journey to becoming an All Breeds Judge, as I ticked off group after group, underwent set back after setback, went from being a joy to a passion and then an obsession and stress. Achieving it was the greatest relief I have ever had. I received the email telling I passed just as the dentist called me in to repair a cracked tooth. She asked me as I was being worked on if I was in lots of pain because I don’t think she had seen any other patient sit with a huge grin on their face and chuckling.

I would like to pass on a huge thank you to all the group coordinators over the 40 plus year timeline. It is now my time to take on that roll to pay it forward. Likewise thank you to the many mentors from all around the world who have invested a lot of time and faith in me and to family and friends who were just there saying “You’ve got this!”

My judging appointments over the years have allowed me to judge some wonderful dogs, learn much about many breeds, and build some amazing friendships. I am certainly of the old school, I let my own dogs speak for themselves without advertising or promotion and when I step into the ring I expect that my dogs will be judged on their own merits, which is the same courtesy I give to every exhibitor who steps into my ring as a judge.

ABJ…… I like the sound of that!

Duncan McAllister:

Many years ago I told my Mother that I would become an All Breeds Judge while showing Cairn Terriers and Scotties. Since then I have moved on to Staffordshire Bull Terriers and finally Golden Retrievers but my desire to learn has always remained. Well after more than a decade, lots of sleepless night, endless study (and I hate study) and the help of a long list of good friends I can now call myself an ‘All Breeds Judge’.

It has been a journey of multiple systems, more than my share of set backs and a few mistakes but here we are. To all those who have contributed along the way I thank you and offer fair warning that I will still be asking stupid questions for many more years to come.