Judge Info - Maria Santiago
Showdog.com Judge Since Friday, August 31, 2012
Retirement
Announced 10/31/2013
Doesn't like using the same breeds that win every other show for BIS. Not very political. Relatively high level of breed bias. Thinks a dog needs to earn its championship before it should even be considered for best of breed.
Traits
Each judge on ShowDog.Com gives a different amount of weight to each trait of the dogs that they judge in each show. Below is a table of which traits Maria Santiago looks for.
| Trait | Importance |
| Head | High |
| Forequarter | Normal |
| Hindquarter | High |
| Gait | Very High |
| Top Neck and Back | Normal |
| Coat | Low |
| Size/Height | Normal |
| Feet | Very High |
Favorite Handlers
Each judge has a preference for certain handlers. These preferences may be based on past experiences, showing style, or just plain old dirty politics. This preference is completely separate from the quality of the exhibitor, which DOES come into play in the show ring. Maria Santiago has been known to prefer the following handlers.
| Rank | Exhibitor |
| 1 | Aimeene Good |
| 2 | Robert Pouk |
| 3 | Marc Buchhelt |
| 4 | Kennis Greiner |
| 5 | Ster Coaxum |
| 6 | Rogane Tuller |
| 7 | Terry Galloway |
| 8 | Jean Infante |
| 9 | Stew Kellermen |
| 10 | Duane Rawley |
| 11 | Debbie Merrill |
| 12 | Bob Coke |
| 13 | Marisa Feagin |
| 14 | Willie Cundiff |
| 15 | Jeff Wehlan |
| 16 | Dan Adams |
| 17 | Norma Young |
| 18 | Katy Murrell |
| 19 | Beah McEwen |
| 20 | Emma Moss |
| 21 | Kristen Schindewolf |
| 22 | John Rome |
| 23 | Jessa McKinnley |
| 24 | Logan Ray |
| 25 | Jay McHaney |
Only the top 25 are listed for the sake of brevity.
Recent Judged Shows
Below is a list of the shows recently judged by this judge.
| Show | Date | Best in Show |
| Nata 106 | 7/5/2025 | Nunkeri Dust Storm Rising |
| STL all breed 104 | 6/19/2025 | Nunkeri Dust Storm Rising |
| Clear Run 129 | 6/9/2025 | Nunkeri Dust Storm Rising |
| June 2025 S.C.W.T. Nationals | 6/8/2025 | |
| May 2025 Australian Cattle Dog Nationals | 5/7/2025 | |
| March 2025 Anatolian Shepherd Nationals | 3/18/2025 | |
| ATK all breed 84 | 2/22/2025 | Tanami The Flying Dutchman |
| Show Your Goldens31 | 1/28/2025 | |
| January 2025 Saint Bernard Nationals | 1/26/2025 | |
| January 2025 G.S.M.D. Nationals | 1/16/2025 |
