Judge Info - Michelle Zavala
Showdog.com Judge Since Friday, November 30, 2012
Retirement
Announced 8/31/2014
Shows a slight bias toward dogs over bitches. Has a tendency to use dogs handled by certain handlers but isn't overt in it. Moderate level of breed bias.
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 Michelle Zavala looks for.
| Trait | Importance |
| Head | Very High |
| Forequarter | Very High |
| Hindquarter | Very Low |
| Gait | Low |
| Top Neck and Back | Very High |
| Coat | High |
| Size/Height | Normal |
| Feet | 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. Michelle Zavala has been known to prefer the following handlers.
| Rank | Exhibitor |
| 1 | Billip Soltero |
| 2 | Mandy Parcus |
| 3 | Pamarba Lhoam |
| 4 | Joe Kensing |
| 5 | Roxanne Leatherwood |
| 6 | Chri Faison |
| 7 | Jana Mezies |
| 8 | Nicole Hunger |
| 9 | Giulice Lipton |
| 10 | Shael Parramore |
| 11 | Janis Coakley |
| 12 | Bruce Creel |
| 13 | Chrica Donnellan |
| 14 | Sylvia Tejeda |
| 15 | Joey Allen |
| 16 | Mick Sherrer |
| 17 | Claire McAllister |
| 18 | David Scott |
| 19 | Reberol Pattison |
| 20 | Scott Ramsey |
| 21 | Sana Rasnick |
| 22 | Caraces Rowen |
| 23 | Yvette Glover |
| 24 | Marry Anne Bryant |
| 25 | Thom Kogut |
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 |
| Itasca 161 | 5/28/2025 | Andy’s Shenanigans |
| May 2025 Border Terrier Nationals | 5/23/2025 | |
| Malibu Shiba Specialty 3 | 5/9/2025 | |
| May 2025 American Eskimo Dog Nationals | 5/5/2025 | |
| Fall Leaves 254 | 4/26/2025 | TLC I Like Da Snow |
| Clwyds Handler Free ACS Specialty. | 4/7/2025 | |
| April 2025 Bullmastiff Nationals | 4/3/2025 | |
| March 2025 Miniature Poodle Nationals | 3/10/2025 | |
| KaSherr Specialty 3 | 2/26/2025 | |
| February 2025 Cardigan Welsh Corgi Nationals | 2/15/2025 |
