‘I feel really honored.’ Sacramento native judges the 150th Westminster Dog Show
For nearly three decades, Adrian Woodfork has been key in deciding who is top dog.
The veteran dog show judge — a Sacramentan and a former KCRA 3 news anchor — finally reached the ultimate goal for anyone in his field this year. He was invited to judge the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City Feb. 2-3.
“It was an experience I’ll never forget,” Woodfork said. “Any judge would love to judge the Westminster show.”
As a lifelong lover of Doberman pinschers, Woodfork had an extra special experience. This year’s Best In Show winner was Penny, a 4-year-old Doberman. This is only the fifth time in Westminster Dog Show history that a Doberman pinscher won Best in Show, Woodfork said.
“(Penny) put on a fantastic show,” he said. “I was very excited, overjoyed.”
More than 60 years of dog shows
Woodfork fell in love with Doberman pinschers before he reached his teens. When a neighbor got a purebred dog for showing, Woodfork tagged along and discovered the world of dog shows.
Since then, he has bred 10 litters of Doberman pinschers, with 30 of the resulting puppies winning championships. In the late ’90s, Woodfork took up judging at shows, which was something he said he strived for since he started showing dogs.
In 27 years, he has judged between 300 and 400 dog shows across the globe, most recently in India ahead of the Westminster Kennel Club show. Naturally, Woodfork’s primary judging specialty is in working dogs like Doberman pinschers, boxers, Great Danes and more than a dozen other breeds.
In 2022, he was a working dogs judge at the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day. Members of the Doberman pinscher Club of America voted for Woodfork to be a judge for the breed-specific national competition five separate times.
“I really feel honored in my judging career that I’ve had so many opportunities,” he said. “Honestly, I never thought I’d ever be asked (to judge Westminster).”
As part of the national American Kennel Club organization, which sanctions dog shows across the country, judges must be invited to events, they cannot apply for the gig. That means judges at the biggest shows across the country must have strong reputations among exhibitors and regional show chairs, with fairness and respect being highly regarded, Woodfork said.
He received his official invitation and judging contract for the Westminster Kennel Club show in the mail in 2024. Woodfork said the knowledge that he would be a Westminster judge “carried” him through the last year and a half.
Judges at competitions around the world are treated very well when they are invited to participate, and Woodfork said Westminster was no exception.
He said a limousine transported him between his house, the airport and the hotel in New York. And Westminster later gave judges a bag of gifts from the club and sponsoring organizations. Woodfork said judges could order drinks and hors d’oeuvres throughout the show.
“They roll out the red carpet for the judges,” he said.
Woodfork said his favorite part of the entire experience was watching judges evaluate dogs of breeds he doesn’t normally work with. He said he hopes to be invited back in future years.
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Dog shows’ impact on canine health
The most important thing for Woodfork is educating the public on the purpose and benefit of purebred dog shows.
Woodfork said, the most positive aspect of the shows is how they encourage breeders to prioritize health in their litters. Many dog breeds have congenital diseases and conditions that can be selectively bred out, which Woodfork said is the top priority among the best breeders.
“Any time you have competition, it’s a better environment in creating a better dog,” he said. “You want to breed a better and healthier dog.”
Dog competitions aren’t usually a major source of funds for kennel clubs — rather they give members space to learn about purebreds. Private donations and club dues often help fund research into health conditions that overwhelmingly affect the breed or breeds a club represents, according to Woodfork.
Doberman pinschers are particularly vulnerable to developing dilated cardiomyopathy, a potentially fatal heart condition. Woodfork said the Doberman pinscher Club of America sets aside money annually to contribute to research into the condition.
“I hope we’re able to raise money for research to eliminate a lot of these health issues,” he said. “I have seen the breeds look better and better (over the years).”
In addition to his judging activities, Woodfork said he mentors up-and-coming dog exhibitors to help future breeders avoid some of the mistakes he made and keep the Doberman line going strong.
The next Sacramento-area show Woodfork plans to judge is at the Yolo Fairgrounds in Woodland, from Feb. 27 to March 1, though he will only be in attendance on the first day.
“Anybody looking for a dog should do research, not only on the breed but most importantly, the breeders,“ Woodfork said. “Take your time to do your research, and it never hurts to go to a dog show.”
This story was originally published February 6, 2026 at 7:00 AM.
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