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 |
| Dewars 78 | 12/2/2025 | |
| South Florida 445 | 11/26/2025 | |
| November 2025 Norwich Terrier Nationals | 11/10/2025 | |
| Nata 125 | 10/19/2025 | Andy’s Who Ya Gunna Call |
| Indianas 20 | 10/12/2025 | |
| STL all breed 113 | 10/7/2025 | Brerfox Student Prince |
| October 2025 Bloodhound Nationals | 10/2/2025 | |
| Annapolis 46 | 9/13/2025 | |
| August 2025 Cairn Terrier Nationals | 8/16/2025 | |
| Itasca 161 | 5/28/2025 | Andy’s Shenanigans |
