Ron’s love of the sport of Obedience started shortly after his son was born in 1978. After researching several breeds, Ron and his wife, Luci, decided on the Golden Retriever. Their first Golden was a little out of control, so their veterinarian suggested they take obedience classes. Ron enrolled in classes at the Obedience Training Club of Palm Beach County in Florida and after a twelve-week class, he was soon hooked.

Ron and Luci have had the pleasure of sharing their home with nine Goldens over the years and they all competed in obedience as well as tracking. Ron’s heart dog was CT Meadowpond All the Rite Stuff, UDX, RN aka Gus. Gus took Ron on a fabulous journey through obedience and tracking. Ron and Gus earned the coveted Champion Tracker title on Ron’s 60th birthday. Gus became the first Golden in the Meadowpond line to earn the coveted Champion Tracker (CT) title. They also competed at the annual Dog Obedience Clubs of Florida team competition event, known as DOCOF, for many years with OTCPBC as well as other clubs Ron belonged to.

Ron became a longtime member of the Obedience Training Club of Palm Beach County, where he taught obedience classes, helped with tracking, served on the Board of Directors, later became the Tracking Director, helped to promote obedience seminars that featured many nationally known trainers in the sport and finally served as President for ten years. While President, he decided to become an AKC Tracking Judge and later, an Obedience Judge. Ron has had the pleasure to Judge the AKC Classic for obedience and the AKC Tracking Invitational. The sports of obedience and tracking were very kind to Ron, so he felt becoming a Judge in each sport was a way he could give back to both and help other folks experience two wonderful sports. Ron feels, as a Judge in each sport, it is very important to continue to show in both, as it keeps his perspective in order.

Ron has been extremely fortunate to be invited to judge several AKC events. In 2016, Ron and Luci were invited to judge the National Tracking Invitational at the Bernheim Forest and Arboretum in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. In 2020, he judged Juniors and in 2021 Ron had the honor to judge regular Obedience, both events were at the AKC Classic in Orlando, Florida. In 2025, Ron was invited to judge the AKC National Obedience Championship at Purina Farms, in Grey Summit, MO. It is so rewarding to have the pleasure of judging so many top handlers and their dogs. The relationships that the handlers have with their dogs to be able to compete at such high levels throughout the weekend is truly awesome.

Ron Seeley

Tracking Judges

Roy Fair

Roy Fair of Noti, Oregon acquired his first Basset Hound in late1970 while living temporarily in Virginia. Basset number two was purchased as a ‘show potential’ puppy just before the return home to Oregon in 1971, after having been introduced to the world of dog shows by his breeder. Misty was my first title holder earning her CD. Bassets have always been and will be my primary breed, but over the years other breeds have graced the couch: four Newfoundlands, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a Borzoi, a retired racing Greyhound, a Doberman and Rottweiler.

The Bassets have earned titles in the show ring, Field Trials (over 20 Field Championships), about 20 Tracking titles: TD, TDX. Over 10 of the Bassets have earned Dual championships. The Bassets have also earned titles and/or competed in Obedience, Rally, Agility, Coursing Ability, BHCA Hunting Performance Test, AKC Scent work, and NACSW K9 Nosework. Many have also earned BHCA Grand Field Championships, BHCA Register of Merit recognition, and BHCA Versatility and Versatility Excellent status. The Newfoundlands have earned Scentwork, Obedience and Tracking titles. The Doberman has his TD and working at Master level Scentwork. The Rottweiler has her TD and working in Advanced Scentwork.

Roy is an AKC Tracking judge, an AKC Basset and Dachshund field trial judge, a BHCA Hunt Test judge and AKC Scentwork judge. He judged the AKC Tracking Invitational a few years ago. He has on occasion judged puppy sweepstakes at Basset Specialties. Roy is also an ASCA Tracking and Scent Detection Judge.

I have been an instructor for Tracking Obedience, Rally and Scentwork as a member of Emerald Dog Obedience Club. I have been a member of BHCA for over 50 years and am a life member. I am also a 25-year plus member of Newfoundland Club of America.

Thank you for the opportunity to judge Tracking at this year’s Nationals.