. My lifelong involvement with purebred dogs began in the early 1970s, when my family purchased a boarding and grooming kennel. For more than 50 years, we have bred Afghan Hounds and Standard and Miniature Poodles under the Swiftwind prefix. Throughout those years, I have had the privilege of breeding, owning and exhibiting dogs that have achieved success at the highest levels in both conformation and performance.
My commitment to the sport extends well beyond the show ring. I currently serve as Secretary/Treasurer of the Afghan Hound Club of BC, Field Coordinator and Vice President of the Vancouver Island Coursing Association, and 2nd Vice President and Life Member of the Tyee Kennel Club. I am also a long-standing member of the Afghan Hound Club of Canada, the Canadian Dog Judges Association and the Canadian Kennel Club.
I am licensed to judge the Hound, Working, Herding, Sporting and Toy Groups, am on Permit for Terriers, and am an apprentice judge for Lure Coursing. I have been honoured to judge Specialties and All-Breed shows throughout Canada, the United States and overseas.
My judging philosophy is rooted in a simple principle: form follows function. I believe a sound, purposeful dog should reflect the characteristics, structure and temperament that enable its breed to fulfil the function for which it was developed. It is this understanding of breed purpose, combined with more than five decades in the sport, that guides me in the ring.
