The world of dogs has always been a profound part of Espen Engh's life, in fact the renowned Norwegian Judge and breeder was only a few weeks old when he attended his first show.

A third generation Greyhound fancier, Espen and his mother Kari bred their first litter, carrying the prefix 'Jet's' in 1975. To this day, Jet's remains the top winning Greyhound kennel of all time, producing 228 homebred champions with more than 820 champion titles.

Espen's journey with dogs has also included several Afghan Hound and Whippet champions and in recent times he's been focussed on the Griffon Bruxellois, becoming top breeder of the year in the UK.

Since judging his first show in 1984, Espen has amassed more than four decades of experience, officiating in over 100 countries. His Best in Show engagement at Westminster in 2027 is his fourth appearance at the prestigious event and he will take on the same role at Crufts in 2028.

Espen, a veterinarian by education, lives in Lier, south of Oslo in Norway with his husband and their collection of dogs including Greyhounds, Griffons, Afghan Hounds and Miniature Poodles.

Kim Leblanc's long and illustrious career as a dog Judge, owner and breeder began in 1973 with a Siberian Husky who became her first champion and sired the litter that founded Snowmist Siberians.

The kennel has enjoyed enormous success in Canada and around the world with Best in Show winners in multiple countries. As well as showing, Kim spent several years competing in sled dog races. In 1993 and 1994 her lead dog Northstar's Snowmist Birch C.D.S.D.U received back to back honours for successfully competing in showing, obedience and sled dog racing in one year.

Kim became a Judge in 1994 and has officiated across five continents including at four World Dog Shows. She's also been honoured with awards including Canadian Kennel Club Breeder of the Year and Siberian Husky Club of America Breeder of the Year.

Today, Snowmist is home to more than 20 Siberian Huskies, and alongside her judging, breeding and showing commitments, Kim's greatest joy comes from watching her granddaughter develop her own love of dogs through Junior Handler competiion.

Stefan Mitrevski began his career with dogs in 2005 as a passionate and successful Exhibitor, having grown up in Skopje with hunting dogs, an Irish Setter and German Shepherds.

In 2007 he established his 'Inner Vision' kennel with Siberian Huskies, Pomeranians and Boston Terriers. Stefan's breeding program has generated outstanding success with many national and international champions and multiple Best in Show winners. He's also exported show dogs to respected kennels across the USA, Europe and Asia.

Stefan became an FCI Judge in 2011 and has officiated in countries across every continent including America, Belgium, China, Croatia, Serbia, South Africa and at the European Dog Show in the Czech Republic. He's held distinguished positions within Macedonian canine organisations, has been a member of the FCI Judges Examination Commission and is the President of the Kennel Club 'Polaris'.

Christy Jie Wang is an accomplished Judge, breeder and educator whose passion for dogs began with Miniature Schnauzers.

She founded Diego China Kennel in 1999, cultivating one of the world's most successful Miniature Schnauzer breeding programs, having produced top-ranked dogs across China, the USA, Portugal, Australia, Argentina and the Philippines including three World Dog Show winners.

Considered an authority on the Miniature Schnauzer, Christy's love for and knowledge of the breed has seen her conduct seminars in countries including Italy, Singapore, Malaysia and Russia. She's also recognised in the dog show world for her success as a groomer and serves as Vice President of the FCI Grooming Commission. Christy has won China's top grooming award across four consecutive years.

As a child growing up in Athens, Lykourgos (Leo) Zoumpoulidis had a love for dogs, but it was when an Old English Sheepdog by the name of 'Mickey' came into his life that he developed a true devotion to a particular breed.

Leo's kennel 'Micky's Land' was founded soon after and continues to breed Old English Sheepdogs with an uncompromising commitment to the preservation of the breed's characteristics and prosperity. Dogs he's bred or shown have achieved enormous success, with titles at home and overseas including several Dog of the Year awards in Greece.

Leo has been an international Judge for more than 20 years, highly respected across countries he's officiated in, including France, Germany, Croatia, Ireland, Israel, Cyprus, England and Hungary.

He's held a range of leadership roles across canine organisations in Greece and in addition to his judging and breeding commitments, manages a technical contracting and pet care equipment firm. Leo is honoured to be judging for the first time in Australia at the 2027 Sydney Royal Dog Show.

James Donahue has been a breeder, owner and handler of dogs since he was a teenager. A sighthound specialist, he's best known for his experience and success with Afghan Hounds, Greyhounds and Salukis, his dogs having won over 80 AKC All-Breed Best in Show awards.

James began judging in 2017 and has been privileged to officiate at shows throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The 2025 World Dog Show in Finland was a particular highlight.

As the Judges' Education Chair for the Afghan Hound Club of America, James conducts study groups, presents seminars and hosts judging workshops on the breed. He also has extensive expertise in show management, holding the position of Vice President of operations for the prestigious Chicago Kennel Club which runs the Great American Dog Show.