Feature
History of the Canadian Dog Judges Association….
then and now!
Written by Fred Heal (Founding President) and updated by Barbara Heal, CDJA Vice President In December 1996, a group of judges from across the
Margaret Jones from Shawnigan Lake, BC now stands as
country got together at the Credit Valley show in Toronto.
the CDJA’s current president.
There was much discussion about how “We, the judges, could make our judging more meaningful, more informed, and move into the 21st century, a more prepared group”. It was decided to re-ignite a judges association, nationwide, to be named the Canadian Dog Judges Association. From the original 100 members, it has grown
From its inception education was high on the list of priorities. a) for judges – to do their job of judging knowledgeably, efficiently and professionally b) for exhibitors – to know that judges cared about what
to over 270 covering all of Canada, together with a few
they were doing, wanted to learn more and how to
non-resident members. This represents over 80 percent
share knowledge with the judges
of all CKC judges.
c) for clubs – to give them the means to contact judges,
The late Fred Heal, of Spencerville, Ontario, was the first
to see what judges were doing and to offer a means to
chair, who then served as president of the CDJA in 1997.
share these endeavors
Letters went out across the country inviting judges at all levels of approval to join and make this a voice for
So what has CDJA accomplished? • A newsletter was established containing articles
judges. With a core of committed members a constitution
and interviews on breeds, procedures, rule changes,
was created, a newsletter begun, and a plan of action put
practical tips, Q & As.
in place.
• In keeping with the growth of technology, CDJA
Following Fred Heal’s tenure as president from 1997
established its own website that has just recently been
to 2001, Virginia Lyne of Victoria, BC stepped up to
updated. Here each member has an individual page
the plate to serve as president from 2002 to 2005.
providing biographical details, contact information, and
Subsequent to Virginia Lyne’s term, Thora Brown of
a listing of all his licenses/permits. To help clubs find
Almonte, Ontario stood as president from 2006 to 2013.
judges to fill a specific need, the site is searchable by
126 CANADIAN DOG Fancier