Introducing the New Dog Showing Liaison Council

Andrea Keyte

ALANDOBEL BEAGLES & TIBETAN SPANIELS

Andrea began showing her family’s dogs at a young age, developing a lifelong passion for exhibiting. She has been showing dogs for nearly 25 years, primarily beagles, and recently achieved a notable success with a Tibetan Spaniel winning the RDCC at Crufts. Andrea judges hound and utility breeds in the UK and Europe, regularly stewards at Crufts, and has served on breed and show committees. She writes for the dog press, focusing on handling and current show issues. Outside the ring, she is a classic car enthusiast, horse owner, and UK senior facilities manager, advocating for grassroots exhibitors and improving the dog show scene.

Averil Cawthera-Purdy

Averil has enjoyed showing and breeding dogs all her life, achieving champions in five breeds across five groups, all of which she is qualified to judge with CCs. Her main breed since childhood has been Pomeranians, and she continues to show widely throughout the year. She has been a Kennel Club member since 2000, serving in roles including NW Regional Organiser for the KCJO/YKC, President and Officer of the Pomeranian Club, and on the SCCA Championship Show Committee. Averil has also served on the Shows Liaison Council, including as Chair, and remains committed to promoting and developing dog showing for the future.

David Simpson

David has been involved with dogs since childhood, first owning a Rhodesian Ridgeback in 1984 and his first Great Dane in 1998, which sparked his passion for dog showing in 1999. He has served on the Great Dane Club Committee since 2003, currently as Chairman and Vice President, and until 2025 chaired the Midlands and Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club. David is also Breed Health Coordinator for Rhodesian Ridgebacks and a Kennel Club member since 2009. Committed to supporting grassroots exhibitors, he champions welcoming new members, sharing knowledge, and fostering the next generation of dedicated dog show enthusiasts.

Debbie Wallwork

Debbie has owned, shown, and worked Weimaraners since 2001, producing a Full Champion and several Show Champions, including her first Weimaraner, Top Dog in 2005, which she also ran in Field Trials. A dedicated grassroots exhibitor, she regularly attends Championship Shows across the UK and Open Shows in Scotland. Debbie began judging in 2005, awarding her first CCs in Weimaraners in 2017, and is progressing through the Judges Education Programme for other Gundog breeds. She has served as Weimaraner Breed Education Coordinator since 2018 and on the Weimaraner Club of Scotland committee, passionately supporting the future of dog showing as a Liaison Council representative.

Diana Cruttwell

ASHBYGLEN GOLDEN RETRIEVERS

Diana is honoured to serve on the Dog Showing Liaison Council, advocating for exhibitors and supporting new entrants to the sport. She has owned Golden Retrievers since 2000, achieving notable successes including Top Golden Retriever Puppy of the Year and Runner-Up in the same year. Encouraging newcomers, she often offers guidance at shows and believes in fostering mentorship within large breed competitions. Diana progressed to judging at Open Show level and is now approved to award CCs in Golden Retrievers. Passionate about promoting dog showing, she champions fresh ideas, supporting committees, stewards, and the next generation to ensure the hobby thrives.

Helen Johnstone

Helen has been an active exhibitor of Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers and currently serves on the committee of the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Great Britain. She enjoys engaging with exhibitors at all levels, listening to a wide range of perspectives, and supporting the ongoing growth and integrity of dog showing. She has visited international shows and observed both Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and American Kennel Club (AKC) systems, gaining insight into different approaches to showing and breed promotion, and how they can inspire collaboration and fresh thinking within the UK show community. Her professional background in healthcare underpins a strong interest in canine health, welfare and ethics, which informs her evidence-based and responsible approach to breeding and showing. As a Liaison Council Representative, she is committed to championing transparency, accessibility and collaboration within the dog-showing community, ensuring that exhibitors, clubs and judges have a strong, effective voice at national level.

Kirsteen Farrar

Kirsteen has been actively involved in the dog world for over 35 years, showing Newfoundlands since the early 1990s and producing eight Show Champions. She awards CCs in Newfoundlands, has judged in Europe and Australia, and is now qualified to award CCs in a second breed. A strong advocate for working activities, all her dogs participate in the Good Citizens Scheme, and she has competed in Rally. Kirsteen has chaired a Breed Club, served on an Open Show Committee, and contributed to health and longevity initiatives. Retired as an NHS Director, she brings governance expertise to the Liaison Council, promoting enjoyment, inclusivity, and sportsmanship in dog showing.

Krystyan Greenland

Krystyan’s journey in the dog world began at an early age, encouraged by his mother, and has grown into a lifelong dedication to breeding, exhibiting, and judging. His family has bred, owned, and exhibited 20 champion Siberian Huskies and achieved CCs in Finnish Lapphunds and Schipperkes. Passed to award CCs in 18 breeds across the Working, Pastoral, and Utility groups, he has judged at Crufts and major championship shows. He has served over 20 years as Secretary of the Siberian Husky Club, as Chairman, committee member, and show organiser, and sits on the Finnish Lapphund Club committee. A Kennel Club Member since 2019, Krystyan is passionate about supporting grassroots exhibitors, volunteers, and young people, fostering the sport’s growth, inclusivity, and future.

Michelle Chapman

Michelle’s love of dog showing began in childhood at local shows and fun events, evolving into a lifelong passion that has taken her to Crufts and Westminster. She has bred and shown champions and CC winners across Toys, Gundogs, and Hounds, including Crufts Toy Group winners, All-Breed Best in Show winners, and record-holding Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Recognised as Top Breeder for three consecutive years, she is also qualified to award CCs in her heart breeds, the Cavalier and King Charles Spaniels. Michelle is dedicated to nurturing the sport’s community, supporting grassroots exhibitors, and inspiring the next generation, ensuring the joy of showing continues for years to come.

Paul McClure

Paul has been involved with dogs and dog showing from an early age, competing in Junior Handling Association finals and growing up around German Shepherd Dogs, regularly attending open and championship shows. Over his career, he has owned, handled, and judged multiple breeds, awarding CCs across the Working, Pastoral, and Hound groups, with current interests in Australian Shepherds and Rottweilers. He has held roles in local canine associations from treasurer at 18 to show manager, and is Chief Steward at Manchester Dog Show Society. A Kennel Club member since 2017, Paul has served on the Shows Liaison Council and Shows Executive Committee. He is dedicated to supporting exhibitors and advancing the hobby while applying his professional experience across diverse industries.

Tina Johnson

Tina has been active in the pedigree dog world since 2017, beginning with obedience, rally, and scent work before moving into conformation showing. As founder of Teikokusou Kennel, she focuses on preserving and responsibly promoting the Japanese Akita Inu, blending respect for breed heritage with a commitment to education and welfare. Her dogs have earned FCI International, Swiss, and Irish Champion titles, with one female progressing toward her FCI championship. Tina has stewarded, served on committees, and edited breed club publications, while exhibiting internationally at European specialty shows and in Japan. Bringing professional expertise in project management, digital strategy, and communications, she aims to promote education, inclusion, and collaboration as a Dog Showing Liaison Council Representative.