Judge Profile

BREED SPECIALTY: Michelle has been a member of the Dobermann Club of N.S.W. for over 40 years and during that time she has held a variety of positions including Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Officer, Show Secretary, Futurity Director, Trophy Steward and Committee member. With her dogs she has represented the club at Match days and as a keen photographer she videoed the club's inaugural W.A.E.

Broadening her experience, she was a foundation member of the Dobermann Club (Australian Capital Territory) Inc. and the Utility Dog Club of N.S.W.

For 5½ years Michelle was the Secretary of the National Dobermann Council (Australia) and has been NDCA delegate for the Dobermann Club NSW and ACT. She is a strong supporter of National Specialties and has participated in workshops at almost all Dobermann Nationals. More recently she was Treasurer of Dobermann Club of NSW and delegate to the National Dobermann Council.

BREED EXPERIENCE: Having bred a selective number of litters whilst working full time back in the 80’s she was Owner/Breeder/Handler of the famous Aust.Ch. Alldobe Setz The Style who won 10 All Breeds Best in Show and class winner at 2 National Specialties. Michelle has trained Dobermanns to C.D. obedience level and breeder of a C.D.X., W.A.C. and E.T. titled Dobermanns. She has exported Dobermanns to New Zealand and U.S.A. and is the breeder of West Australia's Dobermann Of The Year in 1992.

Aust.Ch. Alldobe The Grand Slam won the NSW and Victorian state specialties and in 1995 she was Runner-Up Best In Show at Canberra Royal Show and Best In Group at the Sydney Royal, which is a first for a Dobermann bitch. Michelle has also owner/breeder/handled the Best In Show winners at NSW and Victorian Club Specialties.

Finally, Michelle bred and exhibited the Winner of the 2003 Australian National Dobermann Specialty, Aust.Ch. Alldobe Strike It Lucky E.T. and breeds under the Alldobe prefix.

JUDGING EXPERIENCE: Licensed since 1987 Dobermann Specialty judging appointments include the Dobermann Club of N.S.W., Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, in New Zealand the Central Districts Dobermann Club and the South Island Dobermann Club, in the USA the Dobermann Pinscher Club of Sacramento, California 2005, the Salt Lake City Dobermann Pinscher Club specialty 2007, Dobermann Pinscher Club of Reno 2014 and in South America the host club show to the 2010 Brazilian Nationals.

In 1992 she moved on from judging her own breed and underwent extensive training for 23 breeds in the Utility Group that required an examination process by written critique. Michelle believes that the method adopted by the NSW Canine Council in that training scheme developed her skills in fair and even evaluation with an emphasis on identifying & assessing the qualities of breed type according to the written standard. To date her experience judging the Utility Group covers most states of Australia.

In 1994 she was successful at her first attempt and approved to judge the Gundog group and has judged Gundogs in most Australian states. During 1999 Michelle commenced training for the Non Sporting Group and is approved to judge the group at all shows. International judging assignments for various breeds & groups include California, Colorado & New Zealand.

Michelle has assisted her sister Alison with breeding and exhibiting Border Collies under the Bordalace prefix and has been recognised and honored to judge a specialty in her home state.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Michelle changed from the Equine show scene to the dog world at 19 and has enjoyed handling. She was trained and appointed as a PAL Junior Handler judge in 1990 and is well sought after to judge at All Breeds Shows and for Group and Specialty clubs. Keen to promote and encourage junior handlers Michelle coached young Jody Delecourt to present a Dobermann and the fruits of their labour resulted in Jody & the Dobermann being selected to appear on the PAL Junior Handler training video and the TV series "Totally Wild".

Michelle was a former committee member for the NSW Canine Council Planning Committee and the Judges Training & Examination Scheme. She was also Secretary of the Docked Breeds Protection Committee.

During 1995 Michelle was a committee member for NSW Canine Council Basic Education Course and was the Secretary of the Dog Judges Association Inc for 2 years. Of recent years she has given lectures to the aspiring Utility Group candidates on the Dobermann. Michelle has always lived in the southern Sydney suburbs.

Judging Appointments (Australia and NZ Only)

Appointments are based on shows entered in our system since 2012. Please inform us of any errors.