Judge Links forJudge 4112 Ms. Carolyn A. Herbel
From: Putnam, OK
Initial Breed: German Shepherd Dogs
Groups: Terrier Toy Non-Sporting Herding
Assignments through: 5/8/2022
(No Future Assignments)
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This judge has been rated by 87 members
with an average rating of:
 3.5 
And by 9 Judge Experts
with an average rating of:
 3.1 

Public Judge Notes:
regarding this Judge.
DateRatgDisplay NameBreed(s)
Feb 22, 20241Dinky McDingleberryToys
Will give you a group 1 one week and then completely dump you the next week. Very inconsistent. If someone showing to her is from Oklahoma, you're screwed. DNS and DNH.
Mar 18, 20232Tatiana Schnauzers
Made a right choice for the BOB, I wish I can say same thing about the rest of her choices. Have to second the opinions from below… not exactly a terrier judge. Nice lady though.
Jan 26, 20235Barbara Houskadachshund
Showing my dachshund for the first time. She was the best. Calm and patient with my young dog. Would love to show to her again.
Jul 18, 20222AnonymousTerriersExpert!
Ms. Herbel used to be a little above average, but the quality of her judging has declined and she now tends to pay more attention to the other side of the lead.
Apr 15, 20214DDSiberian Husky
Very pleasant judge who put up dogs with good leg, balance, and movement. Looked past grooming and did not seem to care who was on the other end of the lead.
Mar 20, 20212AnonymousTerriers
Inconsistent judging. None of her picks looked like each other. The pro handler in the ring told me later he couldn't figure out what she was looking for either. It was a large entry, and she could have found similar types easily. The only plus is that she is nice to the dogs.
Aug 19, 20184NinkasiSiberian Husky
Ms Herbel did a nice job judging a supported entry of Siberians. She was consistent in her selection of sound and clean moving dogs with good balance and top lines Would show to her again as she was very pleasant as well.
Oct 5, 20172TrudyBorder colliesExpert!
Very pleasant to show to, BUT after giving winners bitch to the OH handler, she explained to both winners dog and winners bitch that they were not show quality and to concentrate on obedience and agility! My pretty girl had just had a bath and was clean and brushed out, No chalk or product! We had won BOB day before.
Aug 28, 20175Patty HarbisonLakeland Terriers
Patient and kind in the ring. Don't bother taking her a terrier that is altered/dyed/sculpted/chalked/moussed or outside the upper end of the standard for size.
Aug 17, 20172AnonPapillon
Disappointed by the coarse representations she put up. Will put up a coarse sable over a nicer dog of another color
Feb 20, 20174AnonHerding
I watched her judge several classes. She took extra time with the newbie OH who was completely clueless (bless her heart). She spent about 10 minutes after judging her class ( only dog in it) to explain showing to this young lady. Ms Herbel I felt placed all the others correctly including BOB. Then gave this highly unsuitable bitch WB and BOS to this young lady's (and our) surprise, so she could go on the OH Group. Then spent more time explaining about Group. This may be the only point(s) this dog ever gets. But she has hooked a new member of the public on showing dogs. Others will argue about how unfair this was to the better dogs. This is a dying sport, Ms. Herbel just gave it a little resuscitation. Unless we can bring more people and dogs in, it will die. One can hope this young lady will find a mentor to help her find a better dog and give her some handling lessons. That said, where was this judge when I was starting out ? :)
Jul 10, 20165Laurie CulbrethYorkie
I went to my first show as an Owner in Eagle, Colorado just to introduce my 1.5 year old Yorkie to the fairground environment and to begin my own training. Judge Herbel was very patient with me, gave me many tips on handling, and spent a lot of time with us in the ring. Her professional demeanor calmed my Yorkie, and I hope we meet again when Zoe and I are both much more polished and deserving.
Feb 28, 20161ANONWorking
Only focused on Professional Handlers... disinterested to any owner handled dog in the ring...Clueless... not worth to waste any time with
Jul 25, 20155smilyjoetoys
Ms Herbel was very good with my puppies- enjoyed showing to her- we won a cross over- for which i am thankful but i had no problem seeing what she was looking for- she prefers a larger bitch but wants a finished face.
Jul 6, 20153QRHerding
I couldn't make sense of her reasoning and that held true in the BOB ring as well. While I had her noted as a movement judge, she picked type over movement by a long shot. Very pleasant to show to. A cute together puppy stands a very good chance of going breed over the specials.
Jun 1, 20152redstaffiesstaffy
Sure is a sweet lady and seemed to really enjoy judging the dogs. Really great with them, soft hands and very kind to people in her ring. Not sure how she came to her decisions but either way it was a pleasant experience at least. **UPDATE 2022** Still pleasant to show to and still have NO CLUE what she was looking for but it was not clean movement. ***UPDATE*** 2023 - she is so nice, kind, good with handlers and dogs. I enjoyed watching her as always. I only wish she would learn the breed better.
Apr 20, 20155anonymouscollies
Excellent judge. Movement and structure are critical. Pleasant, patient, enjoys judging. Would show to her any time. And, no, we did not win but shouldn't have--handling error on my part.
Feb 4, 20144ChriMasoBoston TerriersExpert!
Mrs. Herbel was a joy to show to. She was very pleasant, spoke to each of the dogs very lovingly, smiled a lot, and truly seemed to enjoy judging. There were no pro-handlers in the ring and the entry was VERY small, but I think she did a good job with the entries she had. One comment I'll make is that she gave BOW to a new junior who truly did NOT have the "BOW"; however, I suspect since there were NO POINTS in either dogs or bitches (only 1 entry each), she made a judgement call to award the new/ inexperienced junior the BOW in an effort to encourage the young girl.
Nov 7, 20132Darlene BrabantToy Poodle
This judge doesn't know a good toy poodle from a door knob, I think she gets confused at times. Seen a young puppy dog the day before and he won over 2 specials and under this judge 2/R he was perfect was the total package and she didn't even look at him , almost like she made up her mind up before she got in the ring and seen of the dogs.
Apr 3, 20134DreamCatcherAustralian Shepherds
Pleasant to show to. Chose good dogs for placements. I didn't win, but would show to again.
Mar 29, 20135Patty Harbisonlakelands
In my experience, totally apolitical. Doesn't even notice who the handlers are. Movement, type and NOT OVERDONE. Watch your step with illegal grooming products. I love her.
Mar 26, 20135MaryPapillon
Not a handler judge. Gave BOB to very typie dog for BOB with amateur handler over handler paps that were expected to win. Likes movement and type.
Nov 28, 20124KtgChihuahua
Likes movement. Pleasant ring demeanor.
Nov 11, 20121BrownNon Sporting TT
Hire a handler, cheaper & better results than spending $250 to attend a show. Only show to her if in the middle of a panel. Needs parent club review of our standard. Preference to handlers.
Jul 3, 20124Robin GatesManchester Terriers
Looks at movement and structure but she prefers bitches to dogs. When I have a bitch to show her, I will be there with bells on!!
May 8, 20125Iggie ObserverSporting Dogs
I observed Ms Herbel in Marshall this weekend. Terrific job of picking the soundest and well conditioned dogs. Very good with the Jrs. actually taught them rather a lot. I believe she has an eye for a good dogs. I would free stack if possible and don't enter if you dog doesn't move properly. She will find it if the gait is flawed.
Apr 11, 20121anonitalian greyhound
Has no knowledge of the standard and doesn't seem to care. Told me my 15" dog was short coupled and too small. Our standard reads 13-15", body short coupled.I do appreciate the input so I won't show to her again as entries are too expensive to waste on judges that don't read the standard
Jun 27, 20111David K. Qualls, D.V.M.SiberiansExpert!
Mrs. Herbel is very pleasant to show to, however for my breed has absolutely no concept of either correct type or movement. Although I was looking forward to showing to her as a Provisional, as she had awarded one of my dogs a Best in Show two years ago, (before she was approved for Siberians) it was truly disappointing to see the class winners she selected in a poor quality but major entry. One of her Winners was being considered for neutering since it had been shown for several years and had only won one point prior to that day. Very disturbing.
Jun 27, 20113Tasha ByerlyByluc Collies
Agrees that Mrs Herbal wants a good moving dog, with a good topline. She was very gracious with my newbie co-owner, who had never shown before.
Jun 8, 20115Patty HarbisonLakeland Terriers
Size matters! Don't bother taking her a large or leggy Sealyham, she won't use it no matter what the dog's other qualities might be.
Mar 7, 20114Robin GatesBoston Terriers
Ms. Herbel loves a dog that moves well and is showy. She also wants a handler that is on their game from the moment you hit the ring. She put up my new young champion over seasoned veteran specials for Select Dog mainly because of his wonderful movement and flashy style. Would show to her again.
Sep 21, 2010AnonymousTerriers
Likes a small, light weight, fast moving, and showy dog. Forget the standard. Bone, substance, body do not matter, as long as the dog runs and is cute. DNS for terriers IMHO.
May 11, 20095pazHavanese
Ms. Herbel is a very gracious person, who appeared to make all of her entrants and entries welcome in her ring. She gave thoughtful consideration to the dog, not the person on the dog. She was patient and generous with puppies and made solid choices based upon structure, movement and seemed to take her winners from the middle of the standard, but appreciated animation. She will put up a class entry for BOB. I would show to her again.
Mar 20, 20091ANONGerman Shepherds
First the positive. Is very kind to newcomers, Jrs, and gentle with puppies. Pleasant lady. Does not seem to know the standard for the breed. Picks faulty, pale (washed out) poor movers, poor breed type, with little to no work ethic. Will put faulty class dogs over better Specials. I guess take pale, slow and poor structure. Watched as audience, did not have dog entered, was still troubled and puzzled by the judging as were most of the exhibitors, it seems. I would have to say DNS. That is a shame. She is a nice person.
Apr 4, 20081paplvrpapillon
Thought long before posting, and all I can say is clueless. Picked large, plain...it was bad. As someone showing the breed, please just know something about the standard. Elegant, fine bone structure, remember they are named after a butterfly. Ventura Shows: Now on top of DNS list. Did not enter, but as a spectator it was even more evident she does not know papillons. Her class placements were large, non-type papillons. Sent the ones that fit the standard best out of the ring. Put up a puppy BOB. Guess she likes puppies from remarks. Glad I did not waste an entry, but sad to see.
Feb 23, 20085Carol DryMiniature PinscherExpert!
She seems to enjoy this breed and is one of the few judges who will find a nice MinPin at group level. I would say that she looks at the dog and not the person at the end of the lead. Very easy on the dogs on the table and looks for the hallmark trade Hackney gait on minpins. Also wants the "fearless" attitude a MinPin is supposed to have. Would go out of my way to show to her!
Feb 10, 2008ANONMin Pins
Have had a couple of reserve wins under this judge, but was able to appreciate her choices for winners. Seems to find a nice typey, well moving dog with attitude. Also, makes sure being in her ring is a pleasant experience. Nice lady. Would definitely show to again.
Feb 2, 20085Lynn KnappMiniature Pinschers & Italian GreyhoundsExpert!
She is a great judge!! can and will find sound movement, also likes a dog that seems to enjoy showing and takes command of the ring the second it walks in.
Jan 17, 20081ANONNon SportingExpert!
Mrs. Herbel is one of the worst judges I've ever shown to in 30 years of showing dogs. She only knows faces and handlers...Owner Handlers, save your money. She also trades assignments
Oct 3, 20074anonCorgi
Likes good movement in a dog. Very pleasant to show to would show again under.
Sep 16, 20074Dalmatian
Agree she is a fair judge and she is very pleasant to the dogs and the handlers in the ring. She will reward the better handled dog though over the best dog.
Aug 23, 20073WOW Pomz & Pinzvarious Toy BreedsExpert!
I think she is a fair Judge who watches the dogs and finds a good mover of nice breed type. A good bite is indeed important to her and I would say she prefers a nice mid size but would choose smaller over bigger.
Jul 26, 20075PendragonShiba Inu
An excellent judge who did our Nationals a few years ago. Pleasant to show to and likes the breed. Don't take her anything that does not have full dentition and a proper bite.
Jun 22, 20074PrimeBluSilky Terrier
A movement judge who seems to know our standard. Will show under her again.
May 5, 2007anonymousPem. Corgi
Likes a nice moving dog.
Mar 6, 20074FirecreekSmooth Fox Terrier
Likes a smaller dog with good side movement and expression