The American Kennel Club (AKC®) today announced the judging panel for the 26th AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, to be held December 12–13, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The Club also released the judging panel for the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals. The panel for the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes will be announced at a later date.
The 2026 event will showcase top canine athletes from across the country and feature popular competitions, including Best Bred-by-Exhibitor. The championship will again be held alongside the AKC Agility Invitational, Obedience Classic, and AKC RACH Invitational. Junior competitions in Conformation, Agility, Obedience, and Rally will also be offered, along with the North America Diving Dogs (NADD) Santa Splash.
Dr. Thomas M. Davies of Brimfield, Massachusetts, will serve as Best in Show judge. Mr. David J. Kirkland of Sanford, North Carolina, will judge Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Show.
“The AKC National Championship continues to bring together the best of the best—exceptional canine athletes, exhibitors, and judges,” said Gina M. DiNardo, AKC President and Show Chair. “We are honored to have AKC Chairman Dr. Thomas Davies and Mr. David Kirkland leading the 26th show. It promises to be an exciting and highly competitive event.”
Judges for the seven variety groups and the Miscellaneous Classes at the AKC National Championship are:
SPORTING – Frank Kane
HOUND – Dennis Sprung
WORKING – Robin Stansell
TERRIER – Kathleen Ferris
TOY – David Fitzpatrick
NON-SPORTING – Grace Fritz
HERDING – James Frederiksen
MISCELLANEOUS CLASS – Frank Kane
BEST JUNIOR HANDLER – Mary Dukes
JUNIOR PRELIMS – Adam Peterson and Caroline Clegg
Judges for the seven Bred-by-Exhibitor variety groups are:
SPORTING – Debbie Campbell-Freeman
HOUND – Jon Cole
WORKING – Dr. Steven Keating
TERRIER – Dr. Valeria Rickard
TOY – Angela Pickett
NON-SPORTING – Harold “Red” Tatro III
HERDING – Linda Clark
The AKC NOHS Finals will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida as a part of the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2026.
Best in Show for the NOHS Finals will be judged by Mr. Daniel J. Smyth, Esq. of Bermuda Dunes, CA on Sunday evening.
Judges for the seven variety groups at the AKC NOHS Finals are:
SPORTING BREEDS AND GROUP: Sharon Ann Redmer
HOUND BREEDS AND GROUP: Bryan Martin
WORKING BREEDS AND GROUP: Chris Ann Moore
TERRIER BREEDS AND GROUP: Todd Clyde
TOY BREEDS AND GROUP: Debra Ferguson-Jones
NON-SPORTING BREEDS AND GROUP: Todd Clyde
HERDING BREEDS AND GROUP: Sharon Ann Redmer
About Best in Show judge Dr. Thomas Davies: Dr. Thomas M. Davies, of Brimfield, Massachusetts, became heavily involved in the world of purebred dogs after his college graduation. He is currently serving as Chairman of the AKC’s Board of Directors since 2020 and has served on AKC’s Board of Directors for many years, having held the position of Vice Chairman from 2009 -2012 and again from 2017- March 2019. He has served on numerous AKC related boards and committees, including the Chairman’s Committee on the Judging Approval Process, Public Relations Committee, the Events and Clubs Committee and the Breeders Committee.
Dr. Davies became president of the Bearded Collie Club of America and oversaw its acceptance into the AKC Stud Book. He is an honorary lifetime member of that club and is the author of the Bearded Collie standard. Dr. Davies has been extensively involved with Old English Sheepdogs, Bearded Collies, Siberian Huskies, Belgian Sheepdogs and Tervuren, Beagles and Xoloitzcuintli.
He and his wife, Roberta, have bred and finished numerous champions in many of their breeds. Dr. Davies judges Best in Show, Junior Showmanship, the Herding Group and 11 Working breeds. He has served as president and show chairman of the Springfield Kennel Club and has been the club’s AKC Delegate for more than 50 years. He is the longtime show chair for the Springfield Kennel Club and previously for the country’s first working group club, the Connecticut River Working Group Association, for which he is vice-president. Dr. Davies is retired after more than 30 years in various areas of scientific research, and product and market development.
About Best Bred-By-Exhibitor judge Mr. David Kirkland: David J. Kirkland of Sanford, NC attended his first dog show in 1973. Starting in Obedience, Mr. Kirkland thereafter acquired his first show dog, a Miniature Schnauzer. He has bred, owned and handled many to championship titles including Group and National Specialty winners. In 1994, Mr. Kirkland acquired his first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. His love affair with the breed continues to the present. Mr. Kirkland has also owned and bred multiple champions in Japanese Chin and Tibetan Spaniels.
Mr. Kirkland became an AKC judge in 1995 and currently judges BIS, Junior Showmanship, the Working Group Schnauzers, the Hound, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups. He has judged at the AKC National Championship show multiple times including judging a Group twice.
During his tenure in the dog fancy, Mr. Kirkland has enjoyed serving as an Officer, Board Member, Show Chairman and JEC Chairman for several all-breed and specialty clubs.
After 27 years, he retired from GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals. He shares his life with his partner Stephen and spends his time judging dog shows worldwide and working in the music ministry at his church.