WELCOME TO THE Purina® Pro Plan® Achievement awards
CONGRATS TO ALL THE 2024 NOMINEES
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US RECOGNIZE THE HARDEST WORKING, RESPECTED,
AND MOST DEVOTED MEMBERS OF THIS SPORT, AND TO THE DOGS WE LOVE.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED MAY 12
NOMINEES FOR BREEDER OF THE YEAR
About Margery Good
Margery Good has always loved dogs, lots of different dogs, which helps explain why she has dabbled in several different breeds. Although she has bred and handled Specials of many breeds, Margery is best known for her world-famous Sealyham Terriers and Goodspice breeding program that has produced over 100 champions, including the only Platinum Grand Champion. In 2010, Margery was honored as the AKC Terrier Breeder of the Year.
Among her achievements, Margery has handled four Sealyhams, three that she bred, to Best in Show at Montgomery County Kennel Club (MCKC)—All-Terrier Show. Margery’s first Sealyham Terrier in 1971, CH Surgenpride Lady Rose Ariel, became the granddam of her first MCKC Best in Show winner, CH Goodspice Tarragon, who won in 1979. Shortly thereafter, Margery began working as a professional handler specializing in terrier breeds. In 1987, she handled Lakeland Terrier CH Kilfel Pointe of Vu, bred by Patricia Peters, to MCKC Best in Show. In 2008, she won MCKC Best in Show with “Charmin” (CH Efbe’s Hidalgo at Goodspice), the top-winning Sealyham of all time, with 97 Bests in Show including Crufts, the World Dog Show and the AKC Invitational. Charmin was bred by Canadian France Bergeron, Margery’s longtime co-breeding partner, and sired by Margery’s CH Goodspice Pass the Pepper. Her next MCKC BIS winner in 2011, GCHS Efbe’s Goodspice Easy Money, she and Bergeron co-bred. They also co-bred “Stache” (GCHP Goodspice Efbe Money Stache), who won MCKC BIS in 2023 and whose great-grandsire is Charmin.
As for dabbling in different breeds, the first litter Margery bred was a German Shepherd Dog in 1965. She has since bred Kerry Blue Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, Welsh Terrier, PBGV, and Tibetan Spaniel. She has specialed many dogs of these breeds and handled some to Bests in Show. Margery has placed in the Terrier Group at Westminster with four different Sealyhams and two Lakeland Terriers.
Margery works very hard to encourage and mentor breeders from all over the world and to bring new people into the sport of purebred dogs. As a breeder, she strives to improve a breed’s conformation, temperament and health. Most of all, it is her love of dogs that has made it, as she says, “a divine pleasure” to breed and show them.
About Milan Lint & Peggy Helming
In 1976, at 16 years of age, Milan acquired his first purebred dog, a Newfoundland. Over the next several years Milan successfully bred and exhibited Newfoundlands, though by time he began graduate school he became increasingly interested in PWDs due to campus living space constraints that would not accommodate the big breed. Milan acquired his first PWD in 1989 and bred his first PWD litter shortly thereafter.
Well established with her highly successful Pouch Cove Newfoundlands, Peggy acquired her first PWD from Milan in 1995. By that time, Milan had relocated to New York, providing the opportunity for him and Peggy to partner on the PWD breeding and show program.
Having just been fully AKC recognized in 1984, PWDs in the late 1980s and early 1990s were unsurprisingly disparate in type, style and temperament. Working closely with other breeders and blending bloodlines from the across the US, Canada and Europe, Pouch Cove aimed to establish a more consistent PWD look as well as stability in physical and mental health. To that end, Milan and Peggy have been avid supporters of PWD health research and gene marker identification that the breed now enjoys. The broader breeding program goal has been focused on producing and exhibiting high quality PWDs on a consistent, year-in year-out basis. This of course remains a work in progress.
Through a limited number of litters, to date Pouch Cove has bred approximately 100 PWD champions, multiple performance titlists and Best in Show and Working Group winners in addition to consistently top ranked PWDs, expertly handled throughout their careers by Michael and Michelle Scott. Milan and Peggy are especially proud of Pouch Cove’s PWDCA National Specialty results, as reflected by multiple Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex and Winners Dog/Winners Bitch wins, plus numerous victories in Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes, Brood Bitch, Stud Dog and Top 20 competitions.
In addition to being dedicated to the breeding and exhibiting of Newfoundlands and PWDs, Peggy is an AKC judge and active in both breed and all-breed clubs including the Newfoundland Club of America, the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, the Westchester Kennel Club, Somerset Hills Kennel Club and the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. Peggy was for many years on the Board of Directors for Take The Lead and is a long-time resident of Hunterdon County NJ.
Milan is also an AKC judge, Treasurer of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, Vice President of the Morris & Essex Kennel Club, past President of the Hatboro Dog Club and recently completed a five-year Board term for the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America. Milan retired as a Managing Director at BlackRock Investments and he and his husband Mitch Berlin reside in Bucks County PA and New York City.
About Sheree Moses Combs
Sheree Moses Combs has been passionate about German Shepherd Dogs since she was given her first one at age 5. Her early dogs were mostly German/American crosses, and her earliest dog experiences were on the Schutzhund field where she learned how to read and motivate a dog. When she left for college at age 16, she no longer had time for training in the field. A friend invited her to a conformation show, and the rest is history.
Sheree credits her father with instilling in her a love for animals. A self-described science geek with an interest in genetics, Sheree was keenly involved in breeding all types of creatures from rabbits, fish and hamsters to pheasants, finches and cockatiels. She found it personally satisfying to bring new life into the world while simultaneously trying to improve the progeny. These beginnings transferred to the breeding of her first litter of German Shepherd Dogs at age 17.
Today, the Kaleef breeding program is well-known not only for dogs that are physically beautiful but also are intelligent, biddable, healthy and long-lived. Sheree applies a philosophy that you must be brutally honest about your own dogs to clearly see what you need to change. “It starts with evaluating a pedigree and looking for a dog that complements the virtues and flaws of both breeding partners. You look for dogs that balance each other,” she says. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America has twice recognized Sheree as Breeder of the Year and presented her with the Lloyd Brackett Award in 2010 for having dogs with a consistency of type and the Connie Beckhardt Award in 2023 for being a goodwill ambassador and mentoring others.
Kaleef has bred over 200 champions. Among them are Best in Show and Herding Group winners, multiple National Specialty winners, Award of Excellence recipients, four Performance Award of Merit winners, nearly 30 Register of Merit sires and dams, and several Quaker Oats Herding Group winners. One was “Gennie” (CH Kaleef’s Genuine Risk ROM HT), the No. 1 Herding dog in 2003 and 2004 and winner of 100 Bests in Show. Gennie’s dam, “Valle” ((Kaleef’s Valle ROM), is the top-producing dam in breed history. Sheree also bred the No. 2 top-producing conformation sire, “Bailey” (CH Kenlyn’s Aries v Hicliff ROM), and the No. 2 performance sire, “Dante” (PAM DAE BIS AM/CAN CH MACH8 Kaleef’s Divine v Kenlyn VCD1 RE HT PT MXJ3 MXG3 MJG3 CGCA CGCU TKA DDI TT H/E). Kaleef’s most recent winner is “Mercedes” (CAN/AM GVx GCHG Kaleef’s Mercedes), who finished 2023 as the No. 1 German Shepherd Dog all-systems and No. 5 all-breed dog in her first year as a Special.
Sheree is especially proud of her Kaleef German Shepherd Dogs that have become service dogs assisting individuals with autism, mobility issues, seizures and diabetes, and two have served Wounded Warriors. “Mostly, I just want good, healthy dogs that live great lives and make people happy. They have certainly enriched my life,” she says.
NOMINEES FOR PROFESSIONAL HANDLER OF THE YEAR
About Adam Bernardin
Adam Bernardin has followed his roots in becoming a third-generation professional dog handler. A native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Adam worked for all-breed professional handler Will Alexander as a teenager in Canada and then moved to the U.S. in 2022 to work with Robert “RC” Carusi in Massachusetts. His dedication to the sport over 30 years has allowed him to craft a distinctive style …
that has led to more than 150 Bests in Show and multiple National Specialty Bests of Breed and No. 1 ranked dogs. In 2005, Adam set out on his own as a pro handler, specializing in sporting and terrier breeds.
Among some of his successes, he set a record with four Irish Setter Club of America National Specialty winners. Adam campaigned the top-winning Irish Setter in breed history, “Emily” (MBIS GCH Shadagee Caught Red Handed), who won 50 Bests in Show during her career, was No. 3 all-breed and the top Sporting dog in 2010, and won the Sporting Group at the AKC National Championship in 2009 and at Westminster in 2012. An Airedale Terrier named “Splenda” (MBIS/MBISS GCHG Joval Sweet Time) won 13 Bests in Show, including Reserve Best in Show at the Montgomery County Kennel Club-All-Terrier Show. She was the No. 1 Airedale Terrier all-systems in 2014 and 2015 and a Top 10 Terrier two years in a row. The following year, Adam campaigned a male Irish Setter, “Adrian” (MBIS GCH Vermillon’s Sea Breeze), who was the No. 1 Irish Setter all-systems in 2016 and a Top Five Sporting dog with 23 Bests in Show, ending his career with Reserve Best in Show at Westminster.
Adam works with his wife and best friend, professional handler Katie Bernardin, whose partnership and support are integral to the essence and accomplishments of the Bernardin Show Dogs. Together, they thrive on bringing out each dog’s potential. Behind their success is a devoted team that shares their vision and dedication to the well-being of the dogs in their care. The dogs make the work easy, Adam says, but no dog is the same, and you have to figure out each dog’s quirks. He loves being an ambassador to the sport and offering help whenever he can. Adam is honored to be nominated a third time for Professional Handler of the Year.
About Christian Manelopoulos
Christian Manelopoulos took a fancy to showing purebred dogs as a teenager in Melbourne, Australia. His love of showing his Irish Setters caught the eye of prominent breeders. Beverly Watt hired him to show her Tarquin Pointers and English Setters, which led to connections showing Lyn Watson’s Shaaltarah Afghan Hounds and Greyhounds and Robyn Wallis’ Rokeena Gordon Setters and PBGVs.
When the opportunity came in 1991 to go to the U.S. and work as an assistant for all-breed handlers and Bichon Frise breeders Joe and Pauline Waterman in Los Angeles, it was a dream come true. A six-month tenure turned into four years learning about trimming breeds, the Bichon, Miniature Pinscher and Bedlington Terrier.
Next came an assignment working for Poodle icon Timothy Brazier. Although Christian grew up with his family’s pet Toy Poodles and handling Poodles in Australia, it was not until he worked as Brazier’s assistant that he became completely dedicated to Poodles. He loved the challenge of maintaining the breed in exquisite coat and top physical condition. Toward the end of the five-year stent working for Brazier, Christian and Rachel Corbin were married. They started their all-breed handling business, specializing in Poodles, and named it Tarquin Kennels in honor of Watson in Australia.
Now, 24 years later, Christian and Rachel’s 500-plus finished Poodle champions tell the story. He has campaigned more than a dozen Poodles to No. 1. At Poodle Club of America National Specialties, Christian has tied the record for handling the most Best of Breed winners, two Miniature Poodles and two Standard Poodles. In 2004, he won with the Standard, “Tasha” (CH Cotian Style and Splash), who won a Quaker Oats Award for Top Non-Sporting dog, and in 2007, with “Remy” (CH Brighton Minimoto). Remy won the Non-Sporting Group at Westminster in 2007 and 2008 and received the Pro Plan Show Dogs of the Year Non-Sporting Group Award in 2007.
Although 90 percent of the dogs he shows are Poodles, Christian reserves a couple of spots for other breeds on their string. Top winners he has handled include the Afghan Hound “Matrix” (CH Tells Matrix Reloaded), who won 30 Bests in Show and was the No. 1 Afghan Hound all-systems in 2013 and 2014. He handled the top-winning Azawakh in breed history, “Relic” (GCH Azamour Anbar), the winner of eight Bests in Show, including Santa Barbara Kennel Club, and the first Best of Breed winner at Westminster in 2020 and 2021 shortly after the AKC recognized the breed.
Most of all, it is their professionalism and meticulous care of the animals they campaign for which Christian and Rachel are known. They prioritize a dog’s health, conditioning and well-being above all else. For Christian, the joy of campaigning Poodles, a breed he truly enjoys showing, makes being a handler one of the best jobs anywhere.
About Amy Rutherford
Amy Rutherford found her calling 42 years ago as a Junior Handler. The appeal of working with beautiful purebred dogs, particularly Smooth Fox Terriers, took hold early on. A fortunate series of events led her at age 12 to purchase two 8-week-old Smooth puppies that would both become group-winning champions. The male, “O.P.,” finished at 6 months and 3 weeks of age.
“Teaser,” the female, became the foundation bitch of Amy’s Smooth Fox Terrier breeding program under the Aimhi prefix. Her name is seven generations behind Amy’s “Sia” (GCHG Aimhi Head Dover Heels), the No. 1 Smooth all-systems of 2022 and 2023.
As a teenager, Amy spent her summers working as an assistant for professional handlers, including one summer that she trained with Bill and Taffe McFadden. When she turned 18, Amy signed on with Eddie and Leslie Boyes, with whom she worked for nine years as a full-time assistant. Today, she pays it forward by mentoring and inspiring the young handlers who work with her. In 1998, Amy went out on her own as an all-breed professional handler, specializing in showing terriers.
Her credentials include handling Bests in Show winners from five of the seven groups. Cumulatively, Amy has won nearly 200 all-breed Bests in Show, 101 that were won with homebred Smooth Fox Terriers. Among them were Smooth Fox Terrier “Dover” (CH Aimhi Type Cast), with 42 Bests in Show; Portuguese Water Dog “Ladybug” (GCH Aviators Luck Be A Lady), with 20 Bests in Show and Westminster Working Group First; Standard Poodle “Dino” (GCHG Del Zarzoso Salvame At Afterglow), with 14 Bests in Show; and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon “Brie” (GCHG Whiskeytown Dalwhinnie Brie), the first Griff bitch in history to win a Best in Show.
Equally proud moments for Amy are winning National Specialties, as representing dedicated breeders to this meaningful achievement is what it is all about for her. Amy has handled National breed winners that include: Field Spaniel, Lakeland Terrier, Norfolk Terrier (2X), Norwich Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Portuguese Water Dog, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Brussels Griffon, and Smooth Fox Terrier (5X).
“I feel so fortunate to have turned my passion into my job,” Amy says. “The world of purebred dogs has provided me with many rewarding moments, and most importantly, so many amazing dogs to work with. I look forward to many more years of showing and breeding dogs, encouraging young people in our sport, and meeting goals with my clients. I am humbled to be nominated a third time in this category.”
NOMINEES FOR JUDGE OF THE YEAR
About Paula Nykiel
I came to the Purebred Dog World in the early 1970s as a novice. I was fortunate to be helped by so many breeders, handlers and judges. In time, I owner-handled Pointers to No. 1 Breed/All-Breed, Multi-Bests in Show and Best of Breed at the 1982 National Specialty under the iconic and much-loved Michelle Leathers Billings.
Limited breeding resulted in Multi-Bests in Show, Best in Specialty Show and National Specialty winners that carried my “Sydmar” prefix. Breeding was a true joy, even with the highs and lows that breeders ultimately experience.
My judging career began in the early 1990s, and approval for the Sporting,
Hound and Working Groups followed. While it’s an honor to be asked to judge
each show, I’m pleased to have been chosen and entrusted with the responsibility of judging 32 National Specialties. When judging, I hope to bring a breeder’s eye, soft hand and gentle smile to those in my ring.
I will never forget the kindness shown to me when I started this journey. I’m so
humbled and proud to be considered a member of this “Dog Fancy Family.”
Congratulations to this years’ nominees in all categories. It’s truly an honor to
be nominated!
About Charlotte Patterson
I have been involved with the dog fancy for over 50 years. I began as an owner-handler and later became a professional handler. I have been a judge for almost 34 years. I purchased my first AKC registered dog in 1969. I was fortunate to start with good breeding stock and won my first Best in Show in 1979 with a homebred Pug under dear Harry Smith.
Since then, I bred and finished dozens of dogs. I am particularly proud to have bred a Toy Group winner at Westminster.
As a breeder, I believe it is our responsibility to represent our sport and the breeds as fairly and positively as possible. I was fortunate to have had many wonderful wins and wonderful dogs.
I am a passionate believer in judge and breeder education, particularly at the parent club level. I am past president and a lifetime member of the Pug Dog Club of America. I served several years as vice president of the Dog Judges Association of America.
I am approved to judge Sporting, Terrier, Toy and Non-Sporting Groups plus Boxers, Whippets, Junior Showmanship and Best in Show. As I judge at home and abroad, it is evident to me that the bond between humans and dogs is a special relationship to be valued and protected.
My memories of being an owner-handler help me understand how each win or loss impacts exhibitors, as I recall what an impact those judges and ribbons meant to me. I try to keep that in my mind each time I judge, always striving to make a knowledgeable fair, honest decision.
The world of dogs has been good for me in so many ways, most of all having had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, not to mention all the dogs it has been my pleasure to own, show and judge.
I believe our virtues in the sport far outweigh any problems, and as a judge, it is my responsibility to keep it that way.
About Polly Smith
My journey as an all-breed AKC judge, breeder of Multi-Bests in Show winners, committed club member and true advocate for purebred dogs has been a lifelong adventure. My passion began at the tender age of 4, exhibiting a Chow Chow puppy at the National Capital Kennel Club. I attended Mary Washington College in Virginia, excelling on the riding team and was an active fox hunter.
After college and marriage to the late Dr. Robert Smith, I returned to the dog show scene with a German Shepherd Dog, exhibiting in obedience and conformation.
In 1963, I pursued my love of the “hunt,” when we acquired our first American Foxhound. This evolved into multiple generations of breeder-owner-handled Best in Show winners. During my 60-year commitment to the American Foxhound breed, I also bred and showed Welsh Terriers.
I am a member of the Middle Peninsula Kennel Club of Virginia, Potomac Hound Club, Virginia Terrier Club, American Foxhound Club, Welsh Terrier Club and the American Brussels Griffon Club. I am extremely proud of my journey and receiving all-breed judging status in 2007. One of my most meaningful accomplishments is leading the Middle Peninsula Kennel Club of Virginia as show chair, providing local law enforcement with canines and equipment and establishing purebred dog opportunities that create funding for local nonprofit charities.
I am a staunch advocate for education and learning. I often say, “I may be an all-around judge, but my journey to learn and improve the sport that we all love is a daily passion.”
NOMINEES FOR BREEDER/OWNER/HANDLER OF THE YEAR
About Dennis Brown
Having grown up in a dog show family that bred Labrador Retrievers under the kennel name Brawner Creek, Dennis Brown started showing dogs in 4-H, and as a young teenager, he won Best Junior Handler Overall in the state of Nebraska. It was a natural shift to AKC Junior Showmanship, where his talent took him to Westminster in 1998, making it down to the Finals.
Right out of high school at age 18, Dennis went to Texas to work for professional handler Scott Sommer. Over the next four years, he learned about the unparalleled care and conditioning of show dogs needed to consistently set your dog apart from others in the ring.
Through Scott, Dennis met his wife of over 20 years, Katey, whose mother bred Pointers under the Solivia name. Dennis and Katey have continued the Solivia breeding program established by Katey’s late mother, Susan Thompson, more than 40 years ago. In 2022, they were named the AKC Sporting Group Breeders of the Year. They also have been honored multiple times as the American Pointer Club’s Top Conformation breeders. Several times, their Solivia prefix has been affixed to the No. 1 Pointer in the country, handled both by Dennis and others.
Dennis has owner-handled many of the over 230 Solivia Pointer champions. This includes eight different Best in Show winners bred and/or owned by Solivia and three different American Pointer Club National Specialty Best of Breed winners bred by Solivia, including the only mother-daughter winners in breed history, as well as a World Show Best of Breed winner and a Gundog Group placer.
Dennis also has owner-handled or breeder-owner-handled Bichons and a Pomeranian to Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show wins. He fell in love with the sweet nature of the Bichon while at Scott’s and specialized in showing them after leaving. His first co-bred Bichon litter, an all-champion litter of five, produced a top-ranked MBIS, MBISS and Westminster Best of Breed winner in America; a No. 1 Bichon and No. 3 Dog Overall in China; and a No. 1 Bichon in Finland.
Among his most-memorable wins, Dennis breeder-owner-handled his Pointer bitch, “Freesia” (GCH Solivia’s Decisions, Decisions), and his Bichon dog, “Terrance” (CH Bodacious In Enemy Territory), to Westminster Bests of Breed. He particularly takes pride in introducing newcomers to the Pointer breed through his dogs. Some have gone on to owner-handle their dogs to major wins, including Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show and group placements.
Dennis is a member and past board member of the American Pointer Club and past president of the Hilton Head Island Kennel Club.
About Susan Giles
Susan S. Giles has been a breeder-owner-handler of Lhasa Apsos under the Ta Sen prefix for just over 50 years. During that time, she has produced more than 125 homebred champions, almost all of which she personally finished. Susan’s achievements have come from breeding only about one litter a year while also working full time. She was a buyer at a major department store for six years and was co-owner of Children’s Wear Digest, a national mailed catalog, for nearly 27 years.
Since 2006, she has owned PawMarks, a boutique specializing in products for show dogs and pets.
Describing the Lhasa Apso as her true love, Susan was drawn to the breed’s beauty, elegance, personality and its independent, intelligent nature. She immersed herself in learning about the breed with her first Lhasa Apso, “Taklakot,” as they traveled to dog shows and won enough to hook Susan on the sport. Her first “show dog” was bred by a “Grand Dame” of the breed, Ellen Lonigro of Kinderland Lhasa Apsos, and was the beginning of a 25-year partnership.
Susan infused her Ta Sen pedigrees with extraordinary Lhasas from England, Finland and Estonia. Her mark in the breed is reflected in having produced seven American Lhasa Apso Club National Specialty Best of Breed winners, six Best in Show winners, of which all but one were Multi-Bests in Show winners, and numerous Westminster Best of Breed winners. She won the Bred-By Exhibitor Non-Sporting Group at the 2023 AKC National Championship.
Ta Sen’s first Best in Show winner in 2001 was “Pete” (BIS/MBISS/NBIS CH Ta Sen Victory Peyote ROM), whom she describes as “drop-dead gorgeous.” A National Specialty Best of Breed winner from the Veterans Class at age 11, Pete was a three-time Best of Breed winner at Westminster. He was out of an exceptional bitch, “Tulip” (MBISS AM/FIN CH Ta Sen Victory Tip Toe). Pete sired many champions and among the standouts was a daughter, “Lulu” (MBIS/MBISS GCHB My Thai Ta Sen Halleluiah Chorus CD BN RE CGC TKT). Pete’s son, “James” (AM/AUT MBIS/MBISS GCHS Ta Sen Bond James Bond), won 31 Bests in Show in Australia and the U.S.
A member of the American Lhasa Apso Club for 49 years, Susan has served as president, vice president and member of the board of directors for 40-plus years. She treasures the connection to other Lhasa Apso lovers. “I enjoy mentoring young people,” she says. “I want to pass on to them my love of the breed, showing and competing. I hope to inspire them with the joy of creating a beautiful picture of the Lhasa with its gorgeous, flowing coat.”
About Fabian Negron
Fabian Negron’s destiny has been shaped by his love of dogs. At age 13, he volunteered at an animal rescue in his hometown of Villalba, Puerto Rico. The shelter owner invited him to a dog show in San Juan. When Fabian returned home, he started taking handling classes, which led to his showing dogs for others during his teenage years. Fabian jumped at the opportunity to go to a dog show in Miami in 1999 during his freshman year of college.
He met Kathryn Mines, the breeder of Rockycreek Labradors, who saw his interest and invited him to come work with her at shows on the Florida Circuit. Although he had no intention of staying, that’s exactly what he did.
During the next three years, Fabian worked as an assistant for Mines at her Rockycreek kennel in Columbia, New Jersey. He gained handling skills and learned how to condition and groom Labrador Retrievers. The experience was a career turning point as it ignited his focus on Labradors. Fabian’s next job was working as kennel manager for Michael and Mary Wiest at their Beechcroft Labradors kennel in Warren, New Jersey. Over the seven years he worked there, Fabian grew passionate about Labradors as he learned about breeding, whelping and raising litters and discovered the thrill of showing them.
Among the Beechcroft winners that Fabian handled was his first prominent Specialty winner, “James” (BIS/MBISS AM/CAN/INT CH Beechcroft Study’s Top Secret), a black Labrador who won Best of Breed at The Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac (LRCP) in 2008 and was a two-time Westminster Best of Breed and Group Four winner. A yellow male he co-bred with the Wiests, “Harry” (CH Beechcroft’s Perfect Blend), became the first champion he finished from the Bred-By Exhibitor class. Fabian campaigned the black bitch “Baccara” (MBISS GCHS Beechcroft Midnight Rose’s Baccara) to No. 1 Labrador all-systems in 2014.
In 2015, Fabian started his own Labrador breeding program under the Gallivant kennel name. He has breeder-owner-handled several prominent winners. A black bitch, “Sarafina” (MBISS GCHB Gallivant Big Pine Sarafina On Broadway) won Best of Opposite Sex at LRCP in 2018 and 2019. Fabian showed “Memo” (MBISS GCHB Lakeside Memoir Of Gallivant CGC TKN) to Best of Breed at LRCP in 2019, when Sarafina took Best of Opposite, and to Best of Breed at the Labrador Retriever Club in 2018. The black male was a multiple Best of Breed winner at Westminster and the AKC National Championship, and won a Reserve Challenge Certificate at Crufts.
With pride and joy, Fabian continues to show his Labradors as a breeder-owner-handler to Group and Specialty wins. As to his kennel name, Gallivant, he says, it comes from his love of gallivanting around the world to share his passion of the breed that has given him so much friendship and fulfillment.
NOMINEES FOR SHOW OF THE YEAR
About Ann Arbor KC
The Ann Arbor (Michigan) Kennel Club (AAKC), and its Maize & Blue Combined Specialty Show, is synonymous to the dog fancy with Independence Day. After 20 years of holding its all-breed show over the iconic holiday weekend, AAKC has endeared itself to the fancy with its generous hospitality and festive celebration. For nearly seven decades, since its founding in 1956, AAKC has stayed true to its mission to serve purebred dog enthusiasts.
Notably, the three-day weekend kicks off with the Maize & Blue Specialty Show, named for the colors of the University of Michigan, which woos nearly 1,900 entries. At the Specialty Spectacular, winners of the Hound, Terrier and Toy Group shows and of 20 independent specialties vie for Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show. The back-to-back AAKC all-breed shows, which host 10 additional supported entries and specialties, take place on the beautiful, meticulously groomed Madison County Fairgrounds. Spacious outdoor rings accommodate judging of the Working, Hound, Sporting and Herding breeds and an air-conditioned exhibitor building serves the Terrier, Toy and Non-Sporting breeds. The fancy arrives to see a sprawling white tent topped with AAKC flags and decorated taxis converted from four-row golf carts zipping around the grounds to transport handlers and dogs to their show rings. The largest all-breed dog show in Michigan, AAKC boasts entries of 2,000-plus dogs each day. Crowds gather for Groups and Best in Show enjoying free lemonade and popcorn served by the club.
A robust show, AAKC includes obedience, rally, Fast CAT and dock diving. Junior handlers compete for a $500 college scholarship and gain insights at Junior University. The Pee Wee class allows 5- to 9-year-olds to practice their handling skills, and a Kid Only Scavenger Hunt is fun for all. Health clinics are offered for breeders and owners.
The club’s philanthropy is seen in its matching donations for taxi rides and from sales of donated books about dogs. These monies, plus funds from events throughout the year, support local canine charities and the AKC Humane Fund, which provides grants to shelters for victims of domestic abuse and their pets.
AAKC is made up of 25 dedicated active members who keep busy yearlong. Activities over the years have included conformation classes, a breeder’s directory (print and online), an annual sanctioned match, and new in 2023, back-to-back agility trials. They educate the public about responsible dog ownership and share their knowledge and passion for purebred dogs with all levels of canine enthusiasts. As these Michiganders often say, “Go Blue!”
About Louisville KC
The Louisville Kennel Club (LKC) is one of four clubs that host the popular Kentuckiana Cluster of Dog Shows in March. A club steeped in tradition with deep roots dating to its first all-breed show in 1915, LKC is thrilled to be part of the four-day extravaganza held
at the Kentucky Exposition Center that continues to grow each year. LKC sponsors two days of events, on Friday and Sunday, that illuminate a spectacular lineup of conformation shows and performance sports.
The weekend entry of more than 3,600 dogs at the all-breed show capitalizes on the 10 specialty shows and 37-plus supported entries that are attracted to incentives offered to offset judges’ fees and credits given for dogs entered at their events. Barn hunt, dock diving, Fast CAT, coursing ability testing, trick dog, obedience, rally, CGC testing, and FSS breeds and open shows add to the plethora of activities. Cardiac and ophthalmology health clinics, Judges Institute, and Junior handler education and scholarship competition are among many extracurricular happenings.
A member of the AKC since 1916, LKC embraces its role as an ambassador for purebred dogs. The club offers dog handling classes the first and third Saturday of the month, holds grooming seminars and sponsors microchip clinics. Participation in the local Bark in the Park allows club members to educate the community about purebred dogs and conservation breeders. Dog demonstrations are held throughout the year in schools and at local assisted living centers. Since 2004, LKC has served a vital role supporting local law enforcement and fire departments. The club has held fundraisers at its spring shows toward the purchase of K-9s for the Louisville Metro K-9 Unit, along with bulletproof canine vests and a helicopter harness, and oxygen masks for the Louisville Fire Department for animal resuscitation. The club recently began funding lifetime veterinary care for retired K-9s.
This active club is made up of 175 members who meet monthly to plan events and share camaraderie. Seventy-five percent are life members who have been involved for 25 years or more. Ultimately, they have a love of dogs and a desire to bring warm hospitality to the Kentuckiana Cluster that reflects the Bluegrass State at its best.
About Tampa Bay KC
The Tampa Bay Kennel Club (TBKC) has been a trailblazer in transforming the Florida Winter Circuit. Nearly 30 years ago, TBKC had the foresight to envision a cluster of dog shows at a central location that would allow exhibitors the luxury of not having to pack up and move their string of dogs each day from one city and venue to another throughout the state. A dwindling availability of local show sites gave momentum to the cluster concept.
In 1995, TBKC and four Tampa Bay area kennel clubs formed a cluster to hold their shows at a polo field they rented in Sarasota. Not long afterward, the notion of jointly buying a property that would be a permanent home for the newly formed cluster took hold. TBKC led the charge bringing together four kennel clubs to buy 50 acres in Brooksville, which became Florida Classic Park Inc.
In January 1999, the first cluster of shows was held on the new property hosted by TBKC, Clearwater Kennel Club, Pasco Florida Kennel Club and Inverness Kennel Club. There were entries of 1,200 dogs per day. Now, 25 years later, as TBKC celebrated the silver anniversary of the Brooksville cluster shows this past January, it has become a 10-day circuit with five clubs holding two shows each and entries of 2,500 dogs on the weekends. A member of the AKC since 1943, TBKC includes a wide range of events at its shows. Besides conformation, there is Fast CAT, coursing ability test, agility, rally, open shows and 4- to 6-month puppy classes. The club is proud of its well-groomed grounds, amenities such as a large grooming pavilion and permanent restrooms, 350 RV sites with electric and water, and excellent food service by Mr. Pat’s catering, who has served the shows for over 30 years.
The success that TBKC has reaped allows the club to give back to local charities. Donations support the Tampa Humane Society and help the Temple Terrace K9 unit buy police dogs. The club gives to the Southeastern Guide Dogs program helping to advance its training of guide dogs, service dogs and skilled companion dogs. TBKC was the first benefactor to donate canine oxygen masks to the Hillsborough County Fire Departments. The club also funds two $25,000 veterinary scholarships annually at the University of Florida.
TBKC is a club where members work tirelessly. Their comradery and dedication through the years are seen in the club’s polished, well-organized shows. Members are not shy to call their show on the Florida Winter Circuit the best in the country.