Judges Biographies
Team One - Saturday, September 17, 2005
- Arthur Twiss, Reading, MA
Arthur Twiss was introduced to the AKC and the sport of purebred dogs in 1960 when he met his wife of twenty-two years Ruthie, an ardent dog lover. Through her, he became an avid Rottweiler fancier and competitor and has been actively involved with the breed for 45 years. In 1968 he met Ruth Ridings an obedience and tracking judge for both the AKC and Canada. Ruth Ridings resided in the same area at the time and became Arthur and Ruthie's mentor in tracking and helped to develop their passion and enthusiasm for the sport. Arthur has since become a pioneer in tracking among Rottweiler fanciers. Arthur is one of the founding members of the Tracking Club of Massachusetts and since 1976 has served as an Officer and/or Director and is currently running his third term as President. He is the author of several tracking articles geared toward the Rottweiler fancier and has conducted training clinics for beginners and provisional judges. Arthur is also involved with several other clubs in his area. He assisted the Colonial Rottweiler Club through its licensing process for obedience and tracking and has been the tracking instructor for the Concord, MA Dog Training Club for the last six years. More recently Arthur served on the 2004 AKC Tracking Advisory Committee.
A TD tracking judge since 1981, Mr. Twiss is now an approved judge for all levels of tracking, TDX since 1990 and VST since its inception in 1994. He has helped to train 75 dogs to their TD titles and more than 30 dogs to the TDX. Arthur also participates as an exhibitor in conformation events with the Rottweilers he has bred. He has produced two generations of national specialty winners and his dogs have been ranked within the top five of their breed nationwide. Arthur Twiss currently resides in Reading, MA with his three Rottweilers.
"I consider it an honor to be one of the judges at the Second National Tracking Invitational. I always enjoy the challenge of plotting fair but challenging tracks regardless of a given site. The personal joy I get from seeing a team successfully solve the various problems that are present at any tracking test and watching the dog find the final article has never diminished. I salute each of this year's exhibitors for having the courage to participate and wish each of you success."
- Maureen Foley, Ann Arbor, MI
Maureen Foley has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs since 1975. Her first purebred dog was a Rough Collie, but she obtained her first Belgian Tervuren in 1978. Maureen and her Belgian Tervuren began tracking in 1979. This dog went on to become AKC/CKC CH, Can OTCh StarBright Bacho Noire Am/Can UD TDX; the first Belgian Tervuren bitch to obtain the TDX title. Since that time Maureen has trained and earned tracking titles on all of the Belgian Tervuren she has owned and on many that she has co-owned.Ms. Foley is an approved tracking judge for all levels. She was approved for TD Tests in 1983 and in 1986 was approved to judge TDX Tests. Maureen is now also approved to judge VST Tests since 2004. She remains active in many dog sports along with her judging career, currently she is working one dog in both obedience and tracking and training two other dogs in tracking only.
Maureen is an obedience instructor for her local clubs and organizes a small tracking group that meets weekly. Over the years her students have been very successful in titling their dogs.
She and her husband John Blankley raise their PathFinder Belgian Tervuren in Ann Arbor, MI. Maureen is a retired organic chemist who has worked in the pharmaceutical industry and as a Professor of Chemistry at Schoolcraft College. She is currently retired and now enjoys training and working with dogs and traveling with her husband and their dogs.
"I am honored to be judging the AKC Second National Tracking Invitational. Thank you for inviting me; I'm sure we'll have a grand time. Best Wishes to all of the exhibitors. You are all to be congratulated on your accomplishments."
Team Two - Sunday, September 18, 2005
- Craig Green, Highlands Ranch, CO
Craig Green lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Craig and his late wife Kay began tracking Basset Hounds in 1977, subsequently acquiring 17 TD titles and 5 TDX titles on several Basset Hounds, a Border Collie (TD), a Wirehaired Dachshund (TD) and a Rottweiler (TDX). Craig became a tracking judge and first president of Denver Foothills Tracking Association in 1985. He has judged 97 tracking tests in 15 states (coast-to coast), taught tracking seminars in three states and conducted training classes in Colorado. He was the tracking columnist for the Basset Hound Club of America's TALLY HO magazine from 1992 through 1998, when he wrote a series of articles on tracking training, handling, equipment, philosophy and methods. Craig's tracking articles have been reprinted in several states and foreign countries, including Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Canada.
Craig authored the tracking chapter in The New Basset Hound by Margaret (Peg) Walton. (Howell: 1993). Craig was the tracking chairman for the Basset Hound Club of America's national specialty TD/TDX/VST test in Sacramento, California in 1998, and has been a tracking chairman, test secretary, chief tracklayer, tracklayer and miscellaneous worker at multiple tracking tests. For several years, Craig has actively participated in the email tracking list, where he frequently discusses tracking issues with hundreds of other trackers.
Craig is deeply honored to Judge the 2005 AKC National Tracking Invitational. He would like to dedicate his work at this event to the memory of Kay Green and their beloved "Striker" (CH Strathalbyn Last Call, CDX TDX).
- Barbara Adcock, San Jose, CA
Barbara got her first German Shepherd Dog in 1961, and was introduced to dog training when she realized that if she did not take charge of any situation; her dog would do it for her. The first two German Shepherds she owned, both went on to earn the CDX title. After ten years of obedience training, Barbara began tracking. She continued to compete in obedience with her dogs and successfully completed several UD TD titles. At that time her husband challenged her to "do more than bring home trophies" so she became involved in search and rescue.Barbara started to teach tracking in 1975, she was a natural instructor due to her experience as a teacher of children. She has vicariously earned many tracking titles on different breeds. She has trained and earned tracking titles on all of her German Shepherd Dogs, plus one Whippet.
When the TDX test was introduced Barbara was involved with the initial testing of the various proposed TDX tests. She entered the first TDX test in California. Kiela, her German Shepherd was the first German Shepherd bitch in California to earn a TDX title. In 1982, she applied to become a tracking judge. Barbara thoroughly enjoys seeing how the various breeds solve tracking problems.
Currently, her German Shepherd has earned her CD title and a CGC. She is also actively working on her TD and CDX. This dog is also preparing for her search readiness tests. Barbara also owns Bloodhounds and has one who has earned her TDX title, been awarded the CGC and has also earned a Man Trailer degree from the American Bloodhound Club. Barbara's young male bloodhound has his TD title and is still in training for search and rescue and man trailing.
Barbara was born in Chicago, IL, but moved to the San Francisco Bay area when she was a small child. She has a Masters degree from San Jose State University and has lived in the San Jose area for over 50 years.
