Judges Profiles
2006 NZ Kennel Club ProPlan National Dog Show
Rafael de Santiago (Puerto Rico)
Judging Best In Show
Judging Gundogs, Afghans, Great Danes, and from the Utility group Akitas,
Alaskan Malamutes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Black Russian Terriers, Boxers, and
Bullmastiffs.
Rafael has been active in dogs since 1960, Treasurer of the Federation Cynologique
Internationale (FCI), President of the Federación Canófila de Puerto Rico and member of
the Standard Commission of the F.C.I. until 1999.
Under his kennel name, “Radesa”, Rafael with Roberto Velez-Pico has bred Afghan
Hounds, Briards, Scottish Deerhounds and Lakeland Terriers. Achieved Championships
status for many of his bred Afghans. Licensed to judge all breeds since 1984. Has
judged all over the world, including FCI World Dog Shows in Peru, Netherlands, Belgium,
Mexico, Israel, Switzerland, Austria, Puerto Rico, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Germany,
Brazil and Argentina. Judged the first International FCI Dog Show in China in 2006.
Other important assignments include judging Best in Show at Milan International, Italy
1991. Judged “Dog of The Year” at Portugal; Collare de Oro, Italy; The Supreme FCI
Championship 1997; Westminster Kennel Club in New York, 1995; Denmark, Australia,
Ireland, Brazil, Canada, Russia, Spain, Gibraltar, France, USA, Chile, Venezuela,
Guatemala, Finland, Ukraine, Argentina, Panama, Uruguay, Japan, Slovakia and
Colombia among many other countries. The Hound and Gundog groups breeds have
been a constant in his judging carrier.
As President of Imagen Optima, an Advertising and Public Relations firm based in San
Juan, has developed corporate campaigns for global clients, such as Bausch & Lomb,
Danosa, Abbott Laboratories, Marshalls, AT&T and Puerto Rican Cement Company.
Roberto Vélez-Picó (Puerto Rico)
Judging Working Dogs and remaining Utility breeds not judged by Rafael de
Santiago
Roberto has been active in dogs since 1975, Executive Director of the Federación
Canófila de Puerto Rico, and member of the Show and Judges Commission of the FCI.
Under the kennel name, “Radesa”, Roberto with Rafael de Santiago bred Afghan
Hounds, Briards, Whippets, Scottish Deerhounds and Lakeland Terriers. He has
achieved Championship status for many of his Afghans. Licensed to judge all breeds
since 1985. Has judged all over the world, including FCI World Dog Shows at Peru,
Mexico, Portugal, Puerto Rico and Germany. Judged the first International FCI Dog
Show in China in 2006.
Other important assignments include judging in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Australia,
Ireland, Brazil, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Spain, Gibraltar, France, Slovakia, USA, Chile,
Venezuela, Guatemala, Argentina, Panamá, Costa Rica and Colombia among many other
countries. Enjoys judging working and utility groups.
Achieved for Puerto Rico the holding of the World Dog Show in 1997, event that brought
delegates from 65 countries world wide and 5000 dogs on four days of shows, an event
that received recognition by the New York Chamber of Commerce as the Cultural Event
of 1997-98.
FCI official delegate for the World Dog Show in Mexico 1999, section shows for the
Americas and El Caribe for Peru 2002 and Costa Rica 2004 Appointed as FCI delegate
for the World Dog Show in Mexico 2007 and Las Americas and El Caribe section 2006 in
Colombia.
He is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Imagen Optima, a local advertising and
public relations agency in the island. Has successfully worked with important clients,
such as Digital Equipment Corporation, Ray Ban Sunglasses, Danosa, among many
others.
Zell von Pohlman (Florida, USA)
Judging Non-Sporting (except Great Danes) and Toys
Zell was born and raised on a working farm in North Florida raising crops and a lot of
cattle. He exhibited at the local fair at the age of 12, a Holstein in the dairy class and
a Black Angus Steer in the beef class. He has won several Best in Shows on my
Japanese Silkies (chickens.)
He bought his first show dog, a Samoyed, at 15 and an Irish Setter and a St. Bernard
followed, all while living at home and attending school. While in school in Boston he
was given a Pekingese and that was the first breed Zell was to show, make champions
and breed litters. Pekes remain his favourites. Though he has a house full of French
Bulldogs, he still has Pekingese including two puppies. He has been involved with
French Bulldogs since 1985. Has also bred and owned pugs, Chinese Cresteds,
Bulldogs, poodles, Italian Greyhounds, and Great Danes.
Zell started judging in 1990. Since then has judged many Pekingese specialties with
entries of 100+ dogs, Pug specialty shows, and Poodles too. Judged the Japanese Chin
Club of America National Speciality as well as the Havanese Club National with an entry
of 175. Has judged internationally in England to South Africa and China and in April
2005 judged in Japan, with Toy Poodles being the highlight of the day.
Ed Wild (Ontario, Canada)
Judging Hounds (except Afghans) and Terriers
Ed has been actively involved in the sport of purebred dogs since 1968. His first
purebred was a Standard Smooth Dachshund - one visit to a dog show and he was
hooked.
In short order a love affair with the Basset Hound began. Numerous Champions were
produced under the "Apperwild" prefix. English Cocker Spaniels, Beagles and a Scottish
Terrier have been raised at one time or another. 35 years later a return to the
Dachshund has occurred with Miniature Wirehaired. He is still actively involved with
breeding and showing.
Life member of the Canadian Kennel Club. Life member and current president of the
Kent Kennel Klub inc. Life member of the Basset Hound Club of Canada. His judging
career started in 1987 and All Breeds judging status was confirmed by the Canadian
Kennel Club in 2002.
Ed has been privileged to judge in Canada, the United States, Columbia, Venezuela,
Puerto Rico, Mexico, Ireland, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Malaysia.
Recently appointments include: The Basset Hound Club of Canada National Speciality,
The Canterbury Basset Hound Club Specialty, The Bichon Frise Club of Michigan
Specialty, A Thai Bankow Speciality in Bangkok, The Town and Country Toy Dog
Specialty Show in Boston Mass., Schipperke Club of Michigan Specialty in conjunction
with their National Speciality, Show Dog of the Year in Bogota Columbia, The Final Best
in Show for the Eukanuba Challenge in Malaysia, Best In Show at the International
Show in Lahti Finland.