Betty was born in St. John's, Newfoundland. Her interest in pure-bred dogs began at a very early age, with the breeding and exhibiting of German Shepherd dogs. Betty was a co-founder of the Newfoundland All-Breed Kennel Club in St. John's in the early 1960s.

After moving to the United States in 1970, Betty married and enjoyed a successful career as an AKC Professional Handler, guiding the show careers of many top-winning dogs. Betty exhibited in approximately 100 shows annually and was recognized for her professionalism and competitive spirit. During this time Betty co-authored the book "Presentation and Preparation of the Show Dog" and conducted numerous seminars throughout North America and abroad on the handling, conditioning, and presentation of the show dog.

Betty was a member of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America for 32 years and has been active in numerous kennel clubs, including the Atlanta Doberman Pinscher Club. During the `70's she served as Hospitality Chairperson at the DPCA National Specially held in Atlanta in 1976.

After a successful handling career, Betty retired from showing in 1983 and embarked upon her judging career. Some of the highlights of Betty's judging career to-date include judging the Doberman Pinscher Club of America's national specialty on three separate occasions as well as the DPCA Top Twenty. Other national specialties include the Akita Club of America, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club, the Standard Schnauzer Club of America, the Alaskan Malamute Club of America, the American Rottweiler Club, the Finnish Spitz Club of America and the Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America to name a few.  Betty has also judged numerous `supported entry' and specialty shows for Toys, Non-Sporting and working  breeds both in the U.S. and abroad.

Betty has also been an active international judge with many assignments abroad including Taiwan, Beijing, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Trinidad, Columbia, El Salvador and her native Canada. In April of 2004 she was honored to judge at the World Show in Rio de Janeiro and again at the World Show in Mexico City in May, 2007.

Ms. Leininger was privileged to judge at the AKC Eukanuba Dog Classic in December of 2003 in Long Beach, California, and she has had the great honor of judging at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show on six occasions, including the Non Sporting Group in 2004, the Working Group in 2012 and Best In Show for the 138^th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2014.

In addition to judging Betty enjoys playing bridge, reading, social ballroom dancing and taking long walks. She shares her home in Frisco, Texas with her Long-Coat Chihuahua - Beau. She has one son - Geoffrey.

Ms. Leininger is currently approved to judge all Working, Toy and Non-Sporting groups, Pointers and Whippets, J.S. all Miscellaneous and Best in Show.