Question of the Week

Doug Belter

Hastings, Michigan

When I was 16 years old (you can figure out how long ago that was), Mr. Reynolds taught a cocky young handler about breed type. How type is more important than soundness in some cases. He placed another dog over my champion, and when asked why, he explained the other dog was of the type he preferred. “That’s why your puppy bitch was BOW. You have both — look carefully and figure it out.” For that lesson I shall be forever grateful to the tall man from Ottawa.

Steve Sorenson

Oviedo, Florida

A gentleman, professional, very well spoken and always positive. 

Tom Bradley

Watertown, New York

My favorite story about Jim happened about 50 years ago. Jim, Betty Hyslop and I were in New York for Westminster, and the three of us went shopping at Lord & Taylor for maternity clothes for Jim’s wife, Marcia, who was pregnant with their first child! We didn’t tell the sales lady who the clothes were for, and we left her with a very perplexed look on her face. We laughed for years!

Cody Sickle

Oyster Bay Cove, New York

Jim Reynolds has been a fixture at dog shows in North America for more than a few decades. An imposing figure of a man, Jim was not imposing in his personal interactions. He had an easygoing and pleasant way about him. As a judge, he was welcoming, patient, knowledgeable and decisive ... while giving each entry an appropriate examination. I will remember Jim as "a good dog man" and a nice guy.

Tom Powers

Encino, California

Jim judged the Kennel Club of Beverly Hills more times than any other judge, with the possible exception of Annie Clark. What I remember from so many KCBH shows was Jim coming out of the ring and exhibitors who just lost under him would come over and thank him and shake his hand.

In the ’60s, I had the opportunity to visit most of the top breeders of Irish Wolfhounds in the U.S., England and Ireland. During a luncheon conversation with Jim at a Beverly Hills shows years ago, I learned that Jim had visited most of those same kennels in his journey to understand IWs.

During conversations over the years, I learned that his preparation for many breeds included numerous kennel visits with the top breeders of the day.

Jim was a gentleman who worked hard at attaining his great knowledge of many breeds and dogs in general.

A great judge and a good friend. Jim will be missed and remembered for many years.

Sandy Frei

Woodinville, Washington

Jim Reynolds was a true gentleman. Win or lose, it was always a pleasure to show to him. One of those judges where a win under him meant something. 
Truly, a loss.

Karen Smith

Fallbrook, California

Saluting Jim Reynolds as a true gentleman of our sport. Jim was always delightful to have on any panel. He kindly reached out when Jack was ill, and I will always remember our fond times at dog shows together. Our sport has lost a grand, respected and gentle giant. My sincere condolences to his family, which he treasured.

Niki Higgins

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Jim Reynolds was a very special person and a great Terrier man — he was always one of my favorite judges to show to and very kind to me when I was just starting out. Over the years, I had great conversations with him about Cairn Terriers and the ones he showed for Betty Hyslop. We had several wonderful conversations and good chuckles! I will miss him!

Michelle Quesada

Brea, California

Mr. Reynolds was an old-world gentleman. Always kind and polite to all the exhibitors, with a kind and easy hand for the dogs he examined.

Mr. Reynolds was a wealth of information and experience, which he shared easily and with great enthusiasm.

He will be sorely missed by many, especially so by my husband, Adrian, and myself.

Godspeed, Mr. Reynolds ...

Grace Wilkinson

Barrington, Rhode Island

[The candid photo at the top of this article] was taken while Jim was waiting for the group for the Best of Breed photo to assemble at the 2008 English Cocker Spaniel Club of America National Specialty. He had just awarded BOB to Ch. Ainsley's Johnny Bravo ECM, from the Veterans class.

It is one of our favorite pictures of him, because it shows him alone, in thought, in his down time, rather than posing for win shots or at social gatherings.

He was truly a great judge, respected by everybody. He was careful and confident in his decisions, always assessing the dog and not the handler. His death is a real loss for the sport.

Ruth Booker

Monroe, Louisiana 

As a show chair, I can say he was one of — if not the — best judges we had judge our shows.
He was such a gentleman and a delight to have at our shows. Everyone, whether they won or lost, had high regard for him. 

Sandra Anderson 

Brockville, Ontario, Canada

When I had been breeding Scotties for about four years, in about 1974 I found Jim Reynolds near Ottawa.
I bred to one of his stud dogs called Renaldo Total Score several times. I got to know Jim then, and after that we were in the show ring together in the U.S. and in Canada. He gave me advice that helped me at the shows. We will be affected by his loss.

Sylvia Arrowwood

Charleston, South Carolina

Jim loved to golf and that was an added attraction to officiating at both Charleston and Myrtle Beach Kennel clubs. Proximity to tons of golf courses was a carrot to dangle. He would always sojourn away to one of our golf facilities prior to or after an assignment. Condolences from all those of dogdom.

Robin Stansell

Clayton, North Carolina

A true gentleman judge with a wonderful sense of humor. Knowledgeable and considerate. 

Roxanne Wolf

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

I can honestly say from Kaz’s perspective, when Mr. Reynold gave him Best in Show with Sage, he told Kaz that she was the best Miniature Poodle he had ever seen and the best Poodle he ever showed. That meant the world to Kaz, hearing that from a man he so respected and admired and who affirmed what Kaz believed.

Carol Hamilton

Southern California

I was ring-stewarding for a Doxie stand-alone specialty. Two of my “friends” decided they should harass me with all sorts of comments, assistance for my stewarding, etc. — just to make my job more interesting. They were having a BLAST tormenting me — and Mr. Reynolds got right into it with them. He certainly made their day! They talked about their fun with him for many years, and I think the one will be happy to see him again.  

Beverly Capstick

The Villages, Florida

A giant of a man in so many ways. He was a kind soul, and his presence in our rings will be dearly missed.

Laura Libner

Grand Rapids, Michigan

It was eight years ago, in 2016. The worst year of my life. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer that February. I was just getting my Pug bitch out again to finish her championship. I had to stop showing during treatment, all winter long.

When spring came, I was still in treatment, but coming “back to life” and regaining some strength. Enough to have my sister and a good friend help me get to a show that wasn’t too far from home with my beautiful girl. Jim was judging Pugs that day, and it was a four-point major. My girl seemed to know how excited I was — how happy — just to have a bit of normalcy back in my life again. We went into the ring, and she was in perfect form that day. Jim pointed to us for Winners — giving her the major. I had a beautiful photo taken that I will always cherish.

Jim’s judging was always on point.  He knew exactly what he was looking for and never wasted time, but never rushed, either.  

I showed to him many times over the years and always considered it a privilege.

He will be so missed by so many. I will especially miss his presence at the shows. 

What an outstanding dog man and judge.   

Rich Bergman

Lakeside, California

For the many years that I spent photographing dog shows, he was one of the most courteous judges I had to work with. He and I would occasionally discuss "dogs," and he was VERY knowledgeable.

Bill Stebbins

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Jim is the latest of a litany of truly great dog people who have recently left us. I always will remember Jim as a truly good person. He was one of the gentlemen of our sport. His interaction with the exhibitors never wavered. He was kind, courteous and friendly. He represented himself, the show-giving club and the sport in a most positive manner. I often told him that with a voice like his he should be doing voice-overs for commercials. You will be missed, my friend.