Judge Michael Hegarty (Chantismere) –Â
National Specialty Judge
Having been involved with this charming breed for over 35 years—both in the ring and as a judge around the world—I’ve been privileged to share in many memorable moments.
To be nominated and elected by the membership to judge at the ACKCSC Cavalier National in Kingsport, Tennessee in 2026 is an honour I accept with heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for this opportunity.
I look forward to judging with fairness and integrity, celebrating our wonderful breed in all its beautiful colours, and sharing this special occasion with both old friends and new.
(See Catalog for Full Bio!)
Heidi Mohn (Covington) – Ind. Spec. Dogs, BOB, Non-Regular, Jr Showmanship
Greg and I have bred, owned & shown Cavaliers under the Covington affix  since 1994. I have judgedCavaliers since 2011, in US, Canada, and the UK.
We have bred or owned 85 AKC CH. /3 ROMS, and 30 CKCSC-USA CH./2 ROMS. Our AKC, CKCSC-USA CH. Covington Paydirt  AKC ROM, was the #3 Cavalier- AKC Breed system in 2008 following his sire, AKC CH Rosscrea Flying High at Covington DUEL ROM, #7 in 2007 & was one of the AKC Top Producing Cavalier Stud Dogs in 2008.
I believe in the fight to protect the future of and the sport of pure bred dogs. Most importantly I believe in our breed standard which has proven worthy throughout history allowing for both the preservation and the improvement of our breed.Â
(See Catalog for Full Bio!)
Erica Venier (Orchard Hill) – Ind. Spec. Bitches/4-6 Mo. Puppies/Non Reg/Jr Showmanship
I began breeding and showing dogs while still in high school, developing into a serious exhibitor by 1974 with a Shetland Sheepdog bitch who was a Working Group winner. I bred Shelties on a limited basis, producing several champions under the kennel name Wits’ End. I purchased my first Cavalier in 1996.
My daughter Rachel Venier is my team mate, brainstorming breedings and training youngsters. Together we have finished well over 150 AKC Champions in three breeds, the majority of which have been home bred Cavaliers. More than 50 of these dogs also have also earned their CKCSC-USA Championships. Among our dogs are four AKC National Specialty winners. With the National win on the tricolor Charismatic, Orchard Hill retired the ACKCSC National Specialty Best of Breed trophy, an accomplishment of which we remain proud.
I find judging to be not only a great source of pleasure but also an opportunity to continue to educate myself as a breeder. Thank-you all very much for your kind invitation; I am looking forward to this assignment.
(See Catalog for Full Bio!)
(Brython)
I am honored and excited to judge Futurity at the 2026 ACKCSC National Specialty. Cavaliers became my passion in 2004 while on vacation in the UK. My affix of Brython was added in 2007.
As a board member of the Birmingham Kennel Club, I have judged B-matches, as well as the Bred By Exhibitor Toy Group at our annual show. I was honored to judge Sweepstakes for the Blue Ridge CKCSC in May 2025. It is always a pleasure to evaluate the next generation. Thank you for your trust, I look forward to giving your puppies an excellent experience.
(Fields Edge)
Leslie Slusher, Ph.D. received her doctoral degree in pharmacogenetics from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. After completely a postdoctoral fellowship she joined the Department of Biology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She spent the next 26 years teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Dogs have always been part of her life. She got her first show Cavalier from Erica and Rachel Venier of Orchard Hill in 2010. For the last 15 years, Dr. Slusher and her husband Roger have pursued their passions of breeding Cavalier King Charles Spaniels under the Fields Edge affix and the continuation of their family farm in Floyd, Virginia.
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Dr. Tracie Laliberte, Infindad Cavaliers
(Photo and bio coming soon!)
Heidi Mohn, Covington Cavaliers
Greg and I have bred, owned & shown Cavaliers under the Covington affix  since 1994. I have judgedCavaliers since 2011, in US, Canada, and the UK.
We have bred or owned 85 AKC CH. /3 ROMS, and 30 CKCSC-USA CH./2 ROMS. Our AKC, CKCSC-USA CH. Covington Paydirt  AKC ROM, was the #3 Cavalier- AKC Breed system in 2008 following his sire, AKC CH Rosscrea Flying High at Covington DUEL ROM, #7 in 2007 & was one of the AKC Top Producing Cavalier Stud Dogs in 2008.
I believe in the fight to protect the future of and the sport of pure bred dogs. Most importantly I believe in our breed standard which has proven worthy throughout history allowing for both the preservation and the improvement of our breed.Â
(See Catalog for Full Bio!)
Cheryl Tisdale (both days)
Cheryl Tisdale’s interest in dog sports, and formal obedience began in 2004 while rehabbing an abused Siberian Husky that was terrified of people, but who also had a talent for obedience. Salem, the Siberian, went on to earn her CD and was a top Rally all breed dog in 2005 before contracting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever which ended her show career.
Since then, Cheryl has trained another Siberian, 4 Golden Retrievers and a Lab, earning 3 TD (tracking titles), 4 UD, 2 UDX, an OTCH, (with multiple HIT and HC), and 2 RACH (with multiple HTQ, HC) as well as 4 RAE titles before RACH came around.
Cheryl’s OTCH3 dog, Stevie was also invited to the NOC, and won the Novice class at the Rally National Championship show. Cheryl is currently training Stevie’s daughter, Paris, who just earned her RACH, and just finished her UD.
Along with training and showing her dogs at AKC events, Cheryl’s Golden Retrievers Stevie and Paris are Animal Therapy animals, visiting assisted living facilities, and they go to schools and libraries twice a week to have children read books to them. The dogs love all the attention they get from the children, and are so thrilled to be able to help children learn to read. Cheryl’s work with Stevie and Paris at schools was recently featured on the Kelly Clarkson show.
Cheryl became a Tracking judge in 2013 and went on to become an Obedience, Rally and ScentWork judge. “I absolutely love watching the wonderful teams in the ring, and I am honored to judge the Cavalier Nationals this year”
Paula Miloglav-Recco
My life went from being brought up in the horse show world and transitioning to the dog show world. I first began in Conformation and Obedience, later adding Rally when it was introduced. In the mid-1980s, I started playing Agility with my Rottweilers, competing in NADAC and USDAA. When AKC Agility launched, I joined that venue as well and have also competed in CPE.
Over the years, I’ve competed with and titled multiple breeds for friends, though my breeds of choice remain Rottweilers and Miniature Dachshunds. My Novice A AKC Agility dog earned Reserve High in Trial at our Rottweiler National Specialty in 1999 during her very first weekend competing. Since then, I’ve earned multiple High in Trial Agility awards with several dogs, and my dogs have been ranked in the top ten for year-end awards across multiple venues in Rally, Agility, and Dock Diving.
My current Rottweiler “Garnet” (AGCH MACH 5 PACH 7 ADCH PDCH GOLD LAA GOLD CATCH 3 Woodrotts Love At First Site) achievements have included #1 MACH and #1 PACH Rottweiler for multiple years, the #1 Working Group MACH dog of the year in AKC (2020), placed 5th at the AKC Invitational in 2021, and was the #1 16” Performance dog in USDAA in 2022.
I am truly honored and excited to be judging the ACKCSC Agility National Specialty.
Jerold S. Bell, DVM
Dr. Jerold Bell is a prominent figure in the field of canine genetics and breeding. He is an Adjunct Professor of Genetics at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and a member of several prestigious organizations. He also practices at Freshwater Veterinary Hospital in Enfield, Connecticut.Â
He earned his DVM from Cornell University and was trained in genetics and genetic counseling at Michigan State University and University of Missouri. Dr. Bell chairs the WSAVA hereditary diseases committee, is on the board of directors for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, and the American Kennel Club Canine Health & Welfare advisory panel.
Dr. Bell is also the author of “Veterinary Medical Guide to Dog & Cat Breeds” and has been involved in various genetic disease control programs for different dog breeds. His work focuses on preserving the health and future of dog breeds through genetic research and breeding practices.
He and his wife Candice are breeder/owners of Gordon Setters, with multiple Best in Show dogs, National Specialty winners, Master Hunters and Westminster breed winners