Judge Mr Michael Leonard (IRE)
Introducing our Judge for 2026 - Mr Michael Leonard
I am 68 years of age and have been involved in show dogs for the past 47years. Although I grew up with Dogs as my father had Gundog’s on the family farm.
The breeds that I have been involved in and made up champions are: Old English Sheepdogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Japanese Spitz and Tibetan Spaniels. Under Irish Kennel Club rules and FCI, I am now qualified as An All Breeds Judge. My Licence Number is EI00085. American Kennel Club 97927 I am also a Best in Show Judge and have had this honour in Ireland, Denmark, Italy, France, Norway, Japan, Columbia, Malaysia, Sweden, South Africa, Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand, Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, Australia, Peru. China and USA. Beverly Hills 2020.
I have judged Pup of the Year Competition in Ireland in 1997 and 2007, Dog of the Year in Denmark in 1998 and Show Dog of the Year in Sweden in 2001. Champion of Champions in Prague. In December 2016 I judged Champion of Champions in Estonia. I judged Ch of Champions in Latvia in December 2019 and a second time in Prague in January 2020.
I have judged in most European countries and further afield in Argentina, America, Brazil, Canada, Australia, Japan, Columbia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong, China, Philipines, Mexico, Indonesia, Peru. Uruguay, Thailand and USA.
In 2008 I had the great honour of Judging Tibetan Spaniels at the World Dog Show in Sweden. In 2018 at The World Dog Show in Amsterdam I judged Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Miniature Bull Terriers and English Toy Terriers. In 2008 I also had the honour of judging Shetland Sheepdog. Chinese Crested and Dogs Argentino at The European Dog Show in Poland.
In 2019 I judged Males and Females at The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel National in America. In 2019 I was one of the 2 judges at the Adelaide Royal in Australia and judged Best in Show. With regards to Old English Sheepdogs I have judged the Breed Speciality Shows in Ireland, Finland, Germany and Denmark. I have also judged the Breed in many countries. In respect of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels I first judged the Breed in Ireland in 1983 and also over the years in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, and Holland. Argentina, Japan, Australia, Columbia, France, Estonia, Lithuania, Canada, Italy and Spain. USA. One of my most exciting appointment was in France in 2012 when I was one of of six judges for the Cavalier Speciality with an entry of over 600 Cavaliers. I have also judged Breeds Specialities in Sweden and Denmark. In September 2015 I judged CC’s under English Kennel Club rules at Belfast Championship Show. In 2018 I judged the Breed at the World Show in Amsterdam. In US I have judged the breed. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Southern California in June of 2015 and a 2nd time in 2020. Cavaliers of the Northeast 2017. ACKCSC 2019 National Speciality. Males and Females. Canadian Cavalier National August 2024. In respect of Japanese Spitz I judged the Breed Speciality in May 2012 in Sweden, in 2013 The Breed Speciality in Finland and The Norwegian Japanese Spitz Speciality in 2014. In August of this year I judged the Speciality in Sydney Australia.
In respect of Bernese Mountain Dogs I have judged Breeds Specialities in Ireland, Argentina, New Zealand and Canada. In 2018 I was one of the 3 judges who judged The Bernese National in America. This was a very big honour for a European judge as was voted by the members and I will be the First Irish Judge to have this honour.
I have been involved in Show Dogs since 1977 when Michael Forte and I bought an Old English Sheepdog from Stella Harte. We quickly caught the show bug and within 2 years we were showing the Old English sheepdog and Cavaliers. We set up the Kennel Prefix Leonfort and we quickly became known in Cavaliers as we won Best of Breed under Pamela Cross Stern with a ten month old puppy Ch Ronnoc Vicenzo at his first St Patricks Day Show (The Irish Crufts) in 1980. He won again the following year under Russell Roberts. Ch Ronnoc Vicenzo was the top stud dog in the breed for 6 years in a row. We made up 2 other Champions Ch Leonfort Vicenzo and Ch Vandyck Jester of Leonfort who both had wonderful show careers. I was a committee member of The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Ireland for approx. 10 years from 1980. In Old English Sheepdogs we made up one champion and bred 2 litters. I was secretary of the club for 4 years and the IKC Representative.
In Bernese Mountain Dogs we made up champions and bred litters. We had the breed recognized with the IKC in 1979 and set up the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ireland. I served as Secretary/ Treasurer and in 2007 had the honour of been the Judge for their 25th Anniversary show and also in 2022 the 40th anniversary show. have judged Breeds Specialities in Ireland, Argentina,Norway, New Zealand and Canada. In 2018, I was one of the 3 judges who judged The Bernese National in America. This is a very big honour for a European judge as was voted by the members and I was the First Irish Judge to have this honour. in 2023 at World Dog Show in Geneva I judged Bernese Mountain dog females with an amazing entry of 102 females.
In Japanese Spitz I had the Breed recognized in the IKC with Stella Harte and Michael Forte in 1983 and owned the first champion to be made up which was bred by Stella Harte. We set up the Japanese Spitz Club of Ireland and I served as Secretary, Treasurer and IKC Representative. In Tibetan Spaniels I made up champions and bred litters and served as Chairman for over 10 years. I had the honour of judging the breed at the World Show in Sweden in 2008. One of the only 2 Irish Judges at this show and have awarded CC on 2 occasions at Scottish Club shows.