Huntly & District Kennel Association Inc

05/09/2026

20/08/2026

Heading to Manfeild for the NZ National Dog Show?

Huntly & District Kennel Association's 75th Anniversary Championship Shows on 5 & 6 September are your last chance to get into the ring, polish your dog's performance and make sure you are both Nationals-ready.

With our Canadian and Australian judges, it's also a pretty good show weekend in its own right.

Entries close Monday 24 August.

Don't leave it too late.

11/08/2026

🌟 Young Dog Showing (YDS) – Saturday 5 September 🌟

Huntly & District Kennel Association is pleased to be holding a Young Dog Showing (YDS) heat on Saturday 5th September as part of our 75th Anniversary Championship Show.

YDS is Dogs New Zealand's junior handling competition, where young people under 20 years of age are judged on their presentation and handling skills rather than the quality of the dog.

Entry is just $5.00 per heat, and class winners have the opportunity to qualify for the National Final.

If you're planning to compete at the National Dog Show, this is the perfect opportunity to gain experience in the ring beforehand.

Exhibitors who qualify and are going on to the Nationals will be accommodated within our programme.
We encourage all our young handlers to take part!

07/08/2026

Meet our judges: Kiwhare Mihaka, is from Rotorua.

Together with his wife Ros, Ki has been involved in breeding and showing Boxer dogs for the past 20 years under their kennel name, Roski.

Over the years, they have been fortunate to enjoy some success in the show ring, producing Multiple Champions, 3 Specialty Best in Show winners, a Specialty Grand Champion, and a Multiple Best in Show All Breeds winner. These achievements have been the result of dedication, hard work, and a genuine passion for the Boxer breed.

Ki is currently progressing through his judging journey at Championship Show level. He holds a licence to judge the Utility Group and has recently passed the Non-Sporting Group.

Ki says: “Judging has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I continue to learn and grow with every opportunity.

“I would like to sincerely thank all those involved in the dog fraternity who have shared their knowledge, advice, guidance, and mentorship with me over the years. Your support and encouragement have played a significant part in my development as both a breeder and a judge.

“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Huntly Kennel Association for the honour and privilege of being invited to judge at your upcoming show. I am very much looking forward to assessing your dogs and sharing in what promises to be a wonderful event.

“Ngā mihi nui ki a tātou katoa.”

29/07/2026

Meet our judges: Nicole Pearson, NSW Australia

Nicole Pearson has been actively involved in the dog world since the early 2000s. Prior to this, she was a dedicated equestrian, and her transition into exhibiting and breeding dogs followed naturally after lifestyle changes led her away from the horse arena. She has embraced this transition and never regretted it.

Her enduring passion lies with the Shetland Sheepdog, a breed with which Nicole has achieved significant success, including multiple Best in Group awards at Royal Shows and 14 Best in Specialty show wins.

In 2015, she began her journey towards becoming a licensed judge, initially qualifying to assess Shetland Sheepdogs. Driven by a strong commitment to broadening her knowledge across a wide range of breeds, Nicole continued her development by obtaining her Working Dog licence and has remained actively engaged in the judges’ training scheme to further refine her expertise.

Nicole is currently licensed to judge Terriers at Open Show level and Gundogs, Hounds, Working Dogs, Utility, and Non-Sporting groups at Championship level.

She says: ‘I remain committed to continuous professional development, with the ultimate aim of achieving All Breeds judging status.”

19/07/2026

Meet our judges; Elizabeth Smith, Vic Australia

"I started with dogs in 1976, with Afghans, achieving moderate success, a love affair that continues today. English setters followed soon after, and I owned, handled, and bred them under Ambershah Kennels with my dearest friend, Ann Heider. We produced BIS winners, multiple BIG winners, Royal CC winners, and more.

"Then the 2000s arrived, and I discovered American Cocker spaniels, my heart breed. They combined the elegance and coat of the Afghan with the temperament of the English Setter, and Highgatte kennels was born.

"I have been extremely fortunate to work with some amazing breeders; I’ve produced several Australian Supreme Champions, Specialty BIS winners, Royal winners, and more, all from limited breedings.

"I’m most proud of the dogs and bi***es that I’ve sent to other people which attained their titles. Encouraging new people to take up our hobby is something I strongly support. I look forward to the privilege of judging dogs for you."

13/07/2026

Meet our judges

Tempest Deptuch has immersed herself in the world of dogs since 1974, beginning her lifelong dedication as a junior handler showcasing Standard Poodles, Miniature Poodles, and Afghan Hounds bred by her parents. Tempest continued breeding and exhibiting poodles, while her sister Laurel continued breeding and exhibiting Afghan Hounds.

Her journey as a breeder began in 1979, leading to the presentation of more than 100 Canadian and American Champions, including numerous Best in Show and Specialty-winning dogs.

Among her cherished achievements is "Buddy," Am Can Ch Diplomats Single Sensation, her first homebred poodle, who won an impressive 13 all-breed Best in Shows, establishing him as one of Canada's top show dogs. Since then, she has bred and shown many top Best in Show poodles.

In partnership with her late husband, Sandy Russel Fletcher, Tempest also showcased their talents with Whippets, Afghans and Manchester Terriers. Their collaboration produced notable successes, including "Chatter," Am Can Ch Solitaires Can We Talk, who achieved a remarkable 25 all-breed Best in Shows and held the titles of Top Toy Dog and number two dog in Canada for consecutive years.

Additionally, they expertly handled top specimens of Old English Sheepdogs, English Setters, Bouvier des Flandres and Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens for fellow breeders.

Tempest's dedication extends beyond the ring. She has served on the executive boards of All Breed and specialty breed clubs, earning life memberships in organisations such as the Canadian Kennel Club and the Tyee Kennel Club. She has also assumed leadership roles, currently serving as Vice-Chairman of the Canadian Kennel Club Board of Directors, serving as Past President of the Kamloops Kennel Club, and maintaining active membership in the Poodle Club of Canada.

In 2019, Tempest achieved her all-breed judging licence. Her judging career has taken her across the globe, culminating in the honour of presiding over the Poodle National in Brisbane, Australia.

In addition to Canada and the USA, she has had the privilege of judging in many countries, including Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Mexico, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, Buenos Aires, Chile and Japan. Complementing her judging, Tempest runs a judges' education group and has conducted seminars on Poodles, Afghan Hounds, Bulldogs and Boxers, as well as on topics related to canine structure.

Tempest's enduring passion, unwavering dedication, and extensive expertise continue to enrich the world of purebred dogs, leaving an indelible mark on both the ring and the community at large.