Which Breeds and Groups Can Pierre Talbot and Jean Delisle Judge?

Updated

Pierre Talbot and Jean Delisle are Canadian Kennel Club conformation judges based in Mont-Saint-Grégoire, Québec. Both are retired American Cocker Spaniel breeders who have been involved with the breed since the 1980s and became permanently registered in 1986. Their judging credentials differ by country and by group, and each also holds some groups on permit or provisional status.

Jean Delisle — Groups and Breeds

Canada (CKC)

  • Full approval: Groups 1, 4, 5, and 6, plus Best In Show (BIS).
  • Permit/Provisional: Group 3.

United States (AKC)

  • Full approval: Groups 1, 4, 5, and 6, plus Miscellaneous (MISC) and BIS.
  • Exceptions: Finnish Spitz and Norwegian Lundehund are excluded from the AKC approval.

FCI

  • Approved for breeds in FCI Groups 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Pierre Talbot — Groups and Breeds

Canada (CKC)

  • Full approval: Groups 1, 2, 3, and 7, plus BIS.
  • Permit/Provisional: Group 4.

United States (AKC)

  • Full approval: Groups 1, 2, 3, and 7, plus MISC and BIS.

FCI

  • Approved for some breeds in FCI Groups 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Credential Jean Delisle Pierre Talbot
CKC full groups 1, 4, 5, 6 + BIS 1, 2, 3, 7 + BIS
CKC permit/provisional Group 3 Group 4
AKC full groups 1, 4, 5, 6 + MISC + BIS 1, 2, 3, 7 + MISC + BIS
AKC exceptions Finnish Spitz, Norwegian Lundehund None stated
FCI groups 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Some breeds in 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10

What "Permit/Provisional" Means Here

A group listed as permit or provisional is not the same as full approval. In practice, a judge working on a permit can officiate under supervision or in a limited capacity while completing the requirements for full group status. If you are checking whether either judge can officiate a specific assignment, confirm the current approval status with the organizing club or the relevant kennel club, since permit status changes as requirements are completed.

Practical Notes for Exhibitors and Clubs

  • Group numbers follow the CKC/FCI system, so a "Group 1" assignment in Canada covers different breeds than an AKC "Group 1" assignment. Check the specific breed against the group list for the country where the show is held.
  • BIS approval is separate from group approval. Both judges hold BIS in Canada and the US, which means they can award Best In Show at shows where they are assigned.
  • FCI coverage is partial for Pierre Talbot. The site states "some breeds" in the listed FCI groups, so not every breed in those groups is covered.
  • Jean Delisle's AKC approval excludes two breeds — Finnish Spitz and Norwegian Lundehund — even though they fall within the approved groups.

Contact

For judging inquiries, the site lists:

Both are also reachable via Facebook. Note that the site states they are no longer breeding, so puppy or dog requests and referrals are not accepted.