Keep in mind that dogs are judged against a rather specific written breed standard, the ideal, while quilts are not. Dogs are also shown under the same judges again and again, intentionally because they do well under that judge. By not publishing quilt show judges in advance, that is one of the things that is avoided and the field is made a bit more level for the entrants.
Maine Quilts also uses the point system of judging instead of the elimination system. While judging a quilt on its own merit (point system) and not against others (elimination system) sounds great, it has some severe limitations and is less frequently used because of them.
You may find some answers to your questions from the NQA FAQ sheet.
http://nqaquilts.org/judges/judges-faq.php
There are also several blog entries by this blogger relating to show judging (how and what) and what is looked at.
http://patchworkpie.blogspot.com/200...dges-look.html