Meet Our National Specialty Judges!

Jennifer Clevenger
Puppy, Junior, & Veteran Sweepstakes

Wendy L. Paquette
Dogs, Bitches, Best of Breed, Stud Dog, Brood Bitch, Brace, & 4-6 Puppy

Wendy has been involved in purebred dogs since 1971.  She specializes in Shih Tzu, Lakeland Terriers and Whippets and has produced over 250 Canadian Champions, 175 American Champions, 16 different Best In Show winners and 12 National Specialty winners.  Wendy is a co-owner of Wenrick Kennels Incorporated.  The Wenrick Shih Tzu breeding program is world-renowned.

Wendy is a retired professional dog handler. A profession she enjoyed for over 15 years and finished over 500 champions in 80 different breeds and won 150+ All Breed Best in Shows with 16 different breeds.

She has been honored with lifetime memberships in the Canadian Kennel Club, the Sudbury & District Kennel Club and the Canadian Shih Tzu Club. She was awarded an Honorary Membership in the Canadian Professional Handlers Association.

Wendy is a Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Licensed All Breed Judge (18 years), a founding member of the Canadian Dog Judges Association (CDJA) and a member of the American Dog Judges Association (ADSJA). Wendy is now a recognized Toy Group Judge in the USA.   In addition to Canada and the USA, she has judged in Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, South Africa, Denmark, Italy, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Russia, Malaysia, Philippines, China, and Korea.

My love of animals started at a young age. My Mom bred Dobermans when I was a child, but my passion at that time was horses. I finally talked my father into buying my first horse when I was fifteen. I immersed myself in the horse world. I was involved with FFA in high school competing in horse judging competitions. After meeting my husband, David, I learned all about thoroughbred racing. He had been involved in the racing community for years prior. We built a successful racing program with him training and myself raising the foals on our Horse farm. We owned Labradors for years, but my daughters wanted a ‘small dog to cuddle with.

My husband was the first one to find the Havanese breed back in 2004. We found a responsible breeder and was placed on a waitlist. I studied up on the breed and the standard before our first Havanese was born. I also learned from her breeder, Kim Simcox, all things Havanese. We formed a trusting relationship which led to me being interested in showing. Maggie (CH Simcox’s Rising Angel) came home July 2005. She reminded me of a Labrador in a little body and it was love at first sight. Of course, the addiction kicked in and I was hooked. I joined the HCA in 2007 and within the year was placed on the Judges Education committee. It was a wonderful group of people who wanted to educate judges. I enjoyed the camaraderie and doing presentations. I have had several successes with my dogs over the years with 19 AKC bred by Champions with multiple wins at the HCA Nationals. Millie (GCH Ivy Hills One In A Million) won BOS at Eukanuba in Orlando and Clare (Ivy Hills Swinging On A Star) was the first Havanese to win OHBIS.

I look forward to having the opportunity to judge sweeps at the 2024 Havanese Nationals and seeing everyone there.

Tracie Laliberte, Ph.D.
Junior Showmanship

Tracie has extensive knowledge and a lifetime of love and experience in the professional field of dogs. She is a Breeder of Merit for Lhasa Apsos and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, winner of Best Junior Handler at Westminster Kennel Club and Crufts Dog Show. She completed a Doctorate of Philosophy about "dogs" at Salve Regina University. Tracie has instructed classes in Canine Communication, Holistic Approaches to the bond, and basic dog care for public and professional groups. In addition, she is CPDT-KA, an active AKC judge, a speaker for civic and community groups, and multiple award winning writer.