Nikiforos Orfanakos
Greece
Hi! My name is Nikiforos, but most people call me Niki. I've been a dog trainer for over 15 years and an agility athlete and trainer for over 10 years. I started with Malinois and have since added Border Collies to the pack, two very different yet unique breeds in terms of performance and behaviour.
Recently, I also became an international judge and have been living the judging life to the fullest, arriving at a new destination almost every weekend! This new role has shed a different light on agility and brought out a creative side of me that I did not know I had.
I've learned, and I am still learning, to anticipate lines and potential pain points while always incorporating dog safety into the mix.
I would describe my judging style as fast moving yet strategic.
Being an active athlete myself, I really appreciate a good, powerful run that highlights the handler's athletic capabilities and showcases the dog's agility skills.
However, don't be put off if running is not your strong point. I always make sure there are alternate ways to pull off the course and give everyone an even chance at success.
I am very excited to be part of the PAP 2026 team and look forward to judging at what has been described to me as a super cool summer event!