Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday May 20, 21, and 23
Horizons Edge, 325 Cornerstone Ln, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Regional Specialty & 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy
Monday, May 20
Judge: Patricia “Tish” GAFFEY (photo and bio below)
National Specialty Sweepstakes
Tuesday, May 21
Judge: Tasha Mesina (photo and bio below)
National Specialty and Junior Showmanship & 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy
Thursday, May 23
Judge: Janina Laurin (photo and bio below)
Chair: Linda Friedow
Chief Ring Steward: Vicki Mason
Secretary: Rhonda Toren
Premium & “Online” Entry
Opens: now available (no entry limits)
Closes: Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 12 Noon Eastern
Judging Program
The National Specialty and National Specialty Sweepstakes are both Most Versatile Malinois events within the same venue. Dogs must earn points in at least three of the five venues to be eligible for the Most Versatile Malinois Award. Only the single highest number of points resulting from one class within a venue is counted for that venue’s points. The five venues are I: Conformation/Sweepstakes; II. Herding; III. Obedience/Rally; IV: Tracking/Scent Work; and V. Agility/Preferred Agility.
Judges’ Photos and Bios:
Firstly, I’d like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge your Malinois Regional. Malinois are my passion and a breed that I care greatly for, so it’s a pleasure for me to judge at your show. I’ve been asked to give a bit of a background on how our started in Belgians. My husband Huw and I obtained our first Belgians in 1985, which were a Tervueren and a Groenendael. We had no intention of showing them, however as we wanted well behaved and sociable dogs we joined our local training club. As we were encouraged to train in many disciplines which included showing, I entered a few in local shows, which then led on to the bigger Championship shows, it was safe to say by then I was hooked! In 1986 we were fortunate in obtaining a Groenendael female from the famous and at the time top winning Woodlyn Kennels of Vic & Lynne Salt. This was Mali, Woodlyn Burlesque, who went on to win 2 Challenge Certificates (CC’s), unfortunately she was not keen on showing and didn’t make the most of herself in the ring. However, she proved to be a very successful brood bitch for us and started our Foryd Groenendael line, producing champions in both of her litters. The bitch we kept Ch Foryd Palesa, in turn went on to produce champions. While we still own and occasionally breed Groenendael an opportunity in 2006 really changed my direction with Belgians. Liz Richardson of the famous Sabrefield Malinois kennel allowed us to have a female out of her last ever litter. This was Cree, who went on to be a Ch Sabrefield Sequoya. Sadly, she was never bred from, but did start my passion for the Malinois.
I had been following the European kennels of Sweet Vulcan and di Casa Colomba for a number of years and while scrolling through Facebook one night in 2014 I came across a Malinois female being advertised by Nora Figoureux of the Sweet Vulcan kennel. This led to me acquiring Noya and in October 2014 she arrived in Wales with her usual “here I am” attitude, she is an amazing dog with a wonderful character. Ch Noya Sweet Vulcan, has been awarded 12 CC’s, Best In Show at two club shows and Best of Breed at Crufts twice. Her first litter to Ch Taikatalven Je Suis Rockstar produced to four Champions. For her second litter and after much thought I decided to use a Tervueren from the top Kennel in the UK, Domburg. This combination has so far has produced three Champions with others winning CC’s and reserve CC’s. Again, for her final litter I decided to use a Tervueren who has been the Top Sire in UK from the Dutch kennel, Di Scottatura, while this litter are only just out of puppy, they have already won a CC and a number of RCC’s. While Noya has been the Top Producing Malinois for a number of years, 2023 saw her being the Top Brood Bitch ALL BREEDS in the UK, thus making history for the breed. It is such a great achievement for minority breed and I’m so proud of all her offspring that made this possible. I can’t wait to see what other records her children obtain.
I was first passed to judge at championship level in the UK in 2003. Since then, I have been fortunate to judge Belgians at a number of Club Shows in Europe including the Czech Republic and Sweden, I have also judge once before in America. In 2019 I was delighted to awarded CC’s in Malinois and Tervueren at Crufts. I am really looking forward to meeting you and your dogs in May.
Hello everyone! Allow me to introduce myself, I am Tasha Mesina. Many of you may already be familiar with me, but I want to express how excited I am to have been invited to judge the sweepstakes at this year’s Malinois National. My journey with Belgians began when I acquired my first Belgian Sheepdog in 1998, followed by my first Malinois in 2003. I was Blessed with great mentors in the breed, Sue Haase, Barbara Peach, and Dot Kutlick. It is hard to believe that next year marks the 20th anniversary since I started breeding under the Element prefix in 2005.
Throughout the years, I have participated in a wide array of dog sports, including agility, schutzhund (at the time!), obedience, rally, flyball, ringsport, tracking, and, of course, conformation. My breeding program has particularly excelled in AKC sports, and I am proud to be recognized as a Breeder of Merit Silver thanks to the dedication and hard work of my puppy owners.
In recent years, my focus has shifted towards herding, both in terms of working with my dogs and in my breeding program. This lifestyle truly resonates with me. My husband Gabriel and I have a working farm in Nevada where we raise sheep and milk goats. My dogs are integral partners in our everyday tasks on the farm.
Being elected to judge sweeps fills me with joy. I am eagerly looking forward to the energetic youngsters, the finely tuned working dogs, and, of course, my personal favorite, the wise and distinguished seniors. Thank you!
Janina Laurin is a breeder of Belgian Tervuren and second generation dog fancier and judge. She breeds under the Chateau Blanc Kennel name which has been active over 60 years. The kennel has produced all breed Best in Show winners, Group winners & placers, CH Dual CH OTCH MACH CT HTCH Schutzhund title holders and perfect 200 obedience earners. Chateau Blanc owned, bred or sired dogs have earned many Specialty and National BOB, BOW, BOS, Select, HIT awards and has over 200 champion of record. One of only 4 Tervuren to earn a group placement at Westminster was Chateau Blanc owned/bred. The kennel is most proud of its 28 Breeder Achievement Record (BAR) generational dogs & bitches. In 2002, Janina accepted the inaugural AKC Herding Breeder of the Year award on behalf of Chateau Blanc Kennels (Edeltraud, Janina & Darlene).
Janina is an AKC judge of BIS, the Herding Group, multiple working breeds and continues to pursue additional breeds. She has judged the national specialties of all 4 Belgian breeds in the US,Canada and Australia as well as the US Newfoundland National (bitches), Entlebucher Mountain dogs and Pumik prior to full AKC recognition Janina had served as the parent club’s AKC Delegate for 28 years and has served in various other leadership roles including President. Janina is a founding member of the ABTC Judges Education Committee and mentor. She is past showchair/cochair Putnam Kennel Club, founding member & current president of Berkshire Belgian Tervuren and member of Windham County Kennel Club.
She looks forward to her second Malinois National specialty assignment.