2019 Nominees
The Purina® Pro Plan® Annual Achievement Awards nominees are selected by a nominating committee comprised of active, experienced members of the purebred dog fancy who are also previous recipients of the award in that category.
The following nominees are listed in each category.
BREEDER OF THE YEAR
The Best Breeder recipient should show a record of consistent quality over time, a high percentage of outstanding dogs, dog-friendly responsible kennel facilities and showing success at national and important specialty shows.
Dr. Vandra L. Huber
McVan’s Scottish Terriers
Dr Vandra L. Huber obtained her foundation bitch, a wheaten Scottie in 1982. Since that time, she has bred more than 150 AKC champions under the McVan® prefix. She has achieved some of the highest honors a breeder could dream of receiving. Scottish Terriers, owned and bred by Dr. Huber, have achieved Bests in Show at four of the most prestigious dog shows in the world. Dr. Huber is also only the third Scottish Terrier breeder to attain AKC’s most prestigious and difficult breeder award, the Platinum Breeder of Merit. In order to attain this, a breeder must have bred more than 100 AKC champions and consistently demonstrated a commitment to breed preservation and health via health testing and CHIC certification of all breeding stock.
Jon Woodring / Wade Burns
Lanbur Beagles
There aren’t many that have had the longevity and impact on their breeds the way Jon and Wade have. Their kennel has produced several hundred Champions over a span of 50 plus years. They’ve had 5 prominent stud dogs that by themselves would have produced close to or over 100 champions each!! This is a remarkable stat! ( Dickens, Ch. Lanbur Coupe De Ville, Ch. Lanbur The Continental, Ch. Lanbur Carson City and Ch. Windkist A Walk In The Park, co owned by Leah Bertagnoli.) During the last 4 decades they have been Beagle “Breeders of the year” 25 plus times, had “Beagle Stud of the Year” around 25 plus times, (including 2018) and won Best Stud Dog In Show ten years in a row at the Beagle National. They also owned the top Beagle Dam of all time. They are extremely giving and welcoming, and together have mentored many in the sport including Geoff Browne, Nick Joines, Cassie Miller and many of todays breeders.
Karen Staudt-Cartabona
Majenkir Borzoi
Known for a very recognizable type of Borzoi, Majenkir has had a deep impact on the breed, including other kennels, both in the U.S. and abroad. Majenkir is a “family of dogs” in every sense of the word, and many Borzoi breeders have taken advantage of this. Karen has taken special care to preserve the special features that are so necessary to an athletic, typical hound. She is the very definition of Preservation Breeder, maintaining a consistent type for 55 years and over 400 champions! Karen has created one of the most successful families in all of dogdom, regardless of breed. In the United States alone, 11 All-Breed BIS winners, 5 National Specialty winners, and 13 Best in Futurity winners. Many more sired by a Majenkir dog or with both a Majenkir sire and dam. There are often one or more homebreds in the Borzoi Top Ten, this includes 2019.
PROFESSIONAL HANDLER OF THE YEAR
Professional handlers are undoubtedly among the most visible participants in our shows; therefore courtesy, civility and a spirit of true professionalism must be hallmarks of nominees in this category. These qualities should be extended to clients, judges, fellow exhibitors and handlers, and attending public. Criteria should include handling ability, care of animals in their charge, long-standing achievement in the sport of purebred dogs, and consideration for success over the previous 12 months.
Marcelo Chagas
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Marcelo Chagas is recognized internationally as one of the most accomplished and successful handlers in the dog world. His activity in the world of purebred dogs started in 1978 when his father took him to his first dogshow and purchased his first show dog, a Fila Brasileiro. As a youngster, he was several times top junior handler in Brazil. His reputation as a world-renowned and sought after handler is well deserved. Over the past years he has earned close to 750 Bests In Show to date. He was Top Handler Of The Year in Brazil several times. Marcelo started traveling to the United States to attend shows and apprenticed under Clay Cody between 1981-1982 and returned permanently to the US in 2002. With extraordinary ability, he has piloted dogs in all seven groups to top rankings. His attention to detail has earned him a reputation of being one of the most well versed handlers in grooming, preparation and impeccable presentation of dogs from each group.
Robin Novack
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Robin became involved in AKC dog shows through her sister’s first dog acquired from Marge Rollins, CH Venetian Bobby Bear. This was Robin’s first foray into the world of AKC dog shows and she never looked back. “Bobby” led to a part-time after school job at a boarding kennel owned by Lorrie Carlton of Belle Creek Bichon fame. This job, in turn, led to a second Novack family Springer named Tiffany, acquired from Karen Prickett Miller. In 1986 Robin went to work for Karen, and after a long and dedicated apprenticeship with the renowned Springer Breeder and handler, Robin went out on her own in 1991. Since then, Robin has campaigned multiple dogs to top all breed and sporting group contenders along with winning multiple National specialties. She has won over 300 Bests in Show over the course of the years and remains actively involved in the Telltale breeding program.
Allison Sunderman
Allison believes being a dog handler is a passion not a job. Allison has been professionally handling dogs full time for 37 years specializing in terriers and is an AKC Registered handler. In 2012 and 2013 she had the honor of showing the Russell terrier GCH Goldsand’s Columbus. The breed was recognized June 2012. Columbus was the first Russell to place in a group, first to win a group, and the first to win a BIS. He finished his Championship with 4 group 1s and a BIS. In 19 1/2 months he won 34 BIS, 38 RBIS, 140 Group 1s. He placed in the group at Westminster twice. He went RBIS at Montgomery. Her husband Joe is a huge part of the business. He rarely goes to shows but he works at home grooming and caring for the dogs and kennel while she travels showing the dogs. She has been a truly dedicated pure bred dog enthusiast.
JUDGE OF THE YEAR
Voting criteria for best judge is relatively simple. The recipient should have shown good judgement, courage of conviction, knowledge of and adherence to demands of breed standards, origin and purpose, courtesy, shown efforts to assist novice exhibitors, and any other factors which during the previous 12 months might be considered especially noteworthy.
Dorothy Collier
Dottie Collier’s personal experience with a variety of different breeds and her deep involvement as a club member and officer over the past nearly 50 years helped build the strong foundation on which she based her judging career. Always a lady, Dottie’s integrity and commitment to the sport of purebred dogs shines through in every judging assignment, and exhibitors and dogs alike seem to appreciate being in her ring.
Faye Strauss
Faye Strauss began breeding more than 40 years ago and produced scores of champions and top producers, and as a handler she showed multiple breeds. Based on that experience, she was inspired to create presentations, seminars, books and articles on structure, movement and breed specific information that have educated fellow breeders and judges. This commitment to educating herself and others shows in her judging. Her deep knowledge of the breeds she judges has made her a valuable asset in the judging arena.
Dr. Donald Sturz
The world of purebred dogs has been part of Don Sturz’s life since he was just a boy, and he has a deep love for the sport of dogs. He is committed to remaining a lifelong student of dogs, and is the kind of judge whose opinion exhibitors truly respect. A win under Don is always meaningful. Consistently respectful of those who show to him, Don is a credit to the judging community and the dog sport.
OWNER / HANDLER OF THE YEAR
Nominees in this category are individuals who show their own dogs, dogs owned by members of their immediate family or those they actually co-own with another person or persons. Charging fees to show dogs for others would effectively eliminate an individual from consideration in this category. Sharing expenses with other owners would not be construed as charging a fee. Criteria should include quality of the dogs bred and exhibited, handling ability of the individual, condition and care of animals exhibited, spirit of sportsmanship and observance of proper ring etiquette, and long-standing achievement in the sport of purebred dogs. Consideration may also be given for success over the previous 12 months.
Kim Brown
Kim has been showing dogs only since 2004. She has shown 3 Basenjis, that she owns to the top 10 in breed since 2014. She owned and campaigned her current dog’s sire, to the #2 spot breed and all breed in 2014. In 2015, she campaigned 3 Basenjis, owned and handled, and all were in the Top 20 in breed and all breed. Her current dog, BIS, MBISS, MRBIS MBISOH, GCHG Relic’s Big Bang Theory of Dagoba – aka “Bazinga”, has finished in the top 6 in breed and all-breed in the last 3 years; 2016 (#6 Breed, #5 All-Breed), 2017 (#3 Breed, #5 All-Breed), 2018 (#3 Breed, #2 All-Breed) and is currently #2 breed and all-breed for 2019. Bazinga and Kim have had an amazing journey so far. The biggest accomplishment was Best of Breed at the Basenji Club of America 2017 National Specialty and winning the Top 25 competition.
Carol Fellbaum
Carol has enjoyed a love for the sport of conformation her whole life. As a young teen her Junior Showmanship career culminated in a 3rd place ribbon at the Westminster Kennel Club in 1986. She has handled and bred the #1 Bichon bitch 2017(Audrey). Carol is the breeder-owner-handler-groomer of the #1 and #3 Bichon for lifetime points (NOHS). Her proudest achievement in NOHS was winning 12 BIS and winning the Non Sporting Group with GCHG High Ridge He’s So Full of Himself “Donald” at the NOHS Finals in 2018. Carol and Donald have won 8 specialty Best of Breeds, Best Bred-By-Exhibitor at the AKC National Championship 2018, and AOM at the Bichon Club of America 2018. She was awarded a Breeder-Owner-Handler BIS and RBIS. They won Best of Breed at Westminster Kennel Club 2019. Together they have won over 32 group placements and gained the honor of #1 Bichon(breed points). Carol is passionate about breeding Bichons and sharing her love of the breed and the sport with others.
Linda Souza
Linda began her experience in purebred dogs in 1968, Over the past 51 years she has bred 16 litters of Irish Wolfhounds resulting in 54 Limerick champions out of 112 puppies produced. Limerick dogs have won over 20 specialty Best of Breeds including the national specialty for Irish Wolfhounds and Linda has owner handled many of her dogs to top honors on a national basis. She exhibited the number one Irish Wolfhound in the country for five straight years from 2002 through 2006. Most recently, she has exhibited the number one Irish Wolfhound in 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2018. In addition to showing her dogs, she has held numerous offices in specialty and all-breed clubs. She also was on the board of directors for the IWCA for several years. She currently is the president of her local all-breed club where she is active in canine legislation and public education. She is involved with a cluster of three all-breed shows every year which have an entry of 6,000 dogs or more including over 50 specialties.
BEST ALL-BREED SHOW
Limited to all-breed and Variety Group Shows that excel with appropriateness of judging panel, efficiency and smoothness of operation, hospitality of club membership, Venue (quality and supervision of showgrounds, parking areas, personal accommodations, general cleanliness), and convenience of rings for handlers and exhibitors. Criteria should also consider communications systems, efforts made by show-giving club to create spectator interest and understanding of the event and effort expended by show-giving club to make the show a memorable and enjoyable experience for the exhibitor. In addition, consider attempts made by show committee to attract entries that reflect the state of the show’s respective breeds and the effectiveness of the club’s most recent show(s) should bear particular significance. Show must have been held within the past calendar year
Golden Gate Kennel Club
The Golden Gate KC (formerly known as Golden Gate Kennel Club of San Francisco) is one of the oldest dog clubs in the United States. The Golden Gate KC is one of the only benched dog shows left in the United States. The Golden Gate KC goes back over 106 years and continues to be one of the premier dog shows on the West Coast. Within the vast territory of San Francisco the club holds their event at the wonderful Cow Palace Event Center located in Daly City which is on the border of the city of San Francisco. The Golden Gate KC has had over 123 events at the Cow Palace and offers many things for the exhibitors and spectators alike. In addition to benching, the club offers Obedience and Rally, Best Puppy, Flyball Event, All Breed Fabulous Fashion Show, Special Exhibitor Seminars, FSS Open Show, Breed Club Booths and Rescues. Each year the public is invited to come and share in the wonderful world of dogs and the local media, such as KGO, promotes this event with great interviews with their club member, Jeanne Bobbit, former professional handler, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday. The Golden Gate KC is a club dedicated to the promotion of purebred dogs in addition to offering lots of wonderful enjoyment for the many exhibitors and spectators each year.
Greenwich Kennel Club, Inc.
The Greenwich Kennel Club, Inc. is one of the oldest all-breed clubs in the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey and is a retrospective of what dog shows were in the past. The membership of the club attracted such an impressive member roster including William A Rockefeller, the Honorable Townsend Scudder, who was a chief justice for New York State. The club had their first show on June 14, 1930 and continues to have around 1100 dogs with support from various specialty clubs and the show is held in its own community. The club has obedience and performance events in addition to an FSS and Miscellaneous Parade. It is a non-profit organization that supports various animal welfare groups and health research programs through the proceeds of their shows. It also works with its own community by having events for the involvement of the community.
Houston Kennel Club
The Houston Kennel Club is a club dedicated to the purebred dog and the purposes of the Sport. The purpose of the Houston Kennel Club, Inc is to promote the advancement of purebred dogs by initiating and maintaining sportsman like competitions, educational and training programs, and promotional activities which will stimulate and extend public interest in the purebred dog as well as interest in the health and welfare of dogs. Each year along with the support of the other dog clubs held at the NGF Center at NGR Park in Houston, support an Art Exhibit and Contest. This Art Exhibit and Contest attracts around 1100 total art entries from children ages from kindergarten through 12th grade. The prizes range from $250.00 to $600.00 with many of the art entries winners also winning $100.00. They have offered for over 30 years the Meet The Breed, which attracts more than 100 breeds over the days of the shows. This event and other activities including support for judge’s education draw thousands of spectators each year.
NATIONAL SPECIALTY SHOW OF THE YEAR
Limited to National Specialty Group Shows that excel with appropriateness of judging panel, efficiency and smoothness of operation, hospitality of club membership, Venue (quality and supervision of showgrounds, parking areas, personal accommodations, general cleanliness), and convenience of rings for handlers and exhibitors. Criteria should also consider communications systems, efforts made by show-giving club to create spectator interest and understanding of the event and effort expended by show-giving club to make the show a memorable and enjoyable experience for the exhibitor. In addition, consider attempts made by show committee to attract entries that reflect the state of the show’s respective breeds and the effectiveness of the club’s most recent show(s) should bear particular significance. Show must have been held within the past calendar year
American Whippet Club
The American Whippet Club promotes the showing, responsible breeding, obedience training and competition, lure coursing and versatility of the Whippet breed. In addition to these activities the club also conducts straight and oval racing, obedience, rally and agility trials, flyball, tracking and scentwork, dock diving, barn hunt, and therapy dog activities. The American Whippet Club is also the parent organization that oversees most recognized Whippet activities in the United States. In addition to that, The American Whippet Club has formed the Whippet Health Foundation which strongly encourages health testing for all Whippets, especially those involved in breeding programs. They support individuals and organizations focusing their educational and research efforts on dogs in general and the Whippet in particular. They also have formed the WRAP which is the Whippet Rescue and Placement which is run by volunteers across the country and is very diligent in making sure the rescue finds a great home.
Bulldog Club of America
The Bulldog Club of America offers the following: Legislative Committee to guarantee representation in all areas of the country, the club structure was organized in a form similar to the national government-composed of Divisions comprising groups of states. Rescue Network which is organized into local “Rescue Groups” to work with rescues and finding homes for rescue Bulldogs BCA Performance Committee which encourages Bulldogs to exhibit in Rally, Obedience and Agility and also Scent work. BCA Health Ambassador which organizes programs such as working with OFA and DNA based health screening and has set up 5 levels of recognition from bronze to diamond to recognize the breeders who strive for a healthier Bulldog. Bulldoggers also work in local civic and government departments to bring attention to the benefits of having a Bulldog and those who should not own them.
Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac
The Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac in Frederick, Maryland has an average of 1200 dogs a year. This event has been taking place for 45 years and is the world’s largest single breed dog show. Over the last 5 years they have held their Top 20 Gala, raising $74,000 for CHF earmarked and fully funding the Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia research that plagues the breed. Over the course of 5 days, they fit in 2 Matches, Sweeps and Conformation, 4 Obedience and Rally Trials, CGC, Trick Dog, and numerous health clinics. Their Show Chairman and government aide, Krista Beal, has been instrumental in the AKC Government Relations Department dedicated to protecting the rights of all dog owners, promoting responsible dog ownership and ensuring that laws governing dog ownership and breeding are reasonable, enforceable, and non-discriminatory.