Judge CV
I have always felt a great passion for animals, my first big love being horses, but soon I realized that dealing with dogs was much more accessible, so they have taken the biggest role in my life. My first canine teacher was our family German Shepherd mix, Lisko, and when he passed, along came Rosco Dobovski Proteus - Sambo, my first Groenendael, with whom I began discovering the wonderful world of dogs. We did agility and were in the national agility team at the FMBB world championship; we went to shows and won numerous group placements, he was European champion 2007 and European ViceChampion 2008; we also did rally obedience,
frisbee, IPO, to sum up, we spent 10 wonderful and very active years together before we had to say goodbye.
After entering the world of dog shows and sports with Sambo my passion towards dog-related activities grew bigger and bigger. Since then I began teaching agility, worked on shows in our country as a ring steward for years, handled dogs for friends at shows, got my licence as a basic obedience and rally obedience instructor (2010) and as a show judge (2011). I was member of the breeding commitee for BSDs and for the last few years I have been in the breeding commitee for FCI 1 group (except GSDs). Abroad I have judged Club/Specialty shows for Belgian Shepherds, for now I am licensed to judge the entire FCI 1 group and will continue my education, adding a few other breeds that are close to my heart. Since I love to be active with all of my dogs and strive to establish a strong and mutually respectful relationship with them and other dogs I train, it brings a smile to my face when I see dogs that are having fun in the ring and show trust in their handler.
At the moment I live with three dogs - one veteran Groenendael male who has been a joy to work with for almost 13 years in agility, rally obedience, canicross, IGP and is enjoying his retirement, still being my wingman and a role model for young dogs; a long haired Chihuahua male who is a show champion and has several different working exams; and a young Groenendael male, starting his show and working career. This year marks 25 years since I share my life with Belgian Shepherds and I am honoured to be judging them at the National specialty show, held under the EDS, together with two other wonderful breeds.
