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
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
KOG all breed 60 1/28/2025 EDD Player
Caulfeilds January 24th All Breed Extravaganza 1/24/2025 EDD Player


Did you know?
In multi-breed and all-breed shows, the winners of all breeds within the kennel club's breed Groups then compete for Group placements.