Show Dog of the Year!

It’s the Awards time of year in the purebred dog fancy. The AKC National Championship show presented by Royal Canin this weekend will feature the announcement of a number of huge awards from the AKC, including their nominees for Breeder of the Year and the ACE award winners for heroic dogs.

But voting is also underway for awards influenced by the purebred dog fancy at large.

Show Dog of the Year Awards

Corey Benedict, Northeast Area Manager for the Breeders Enthusiast Group at Purina ProPlan, oversees the Show Dog of the Year Awards presented by Purina and Dog News Magazine in February during the Westminster Kennel Club weekend in New York City.

Benedict, who worked for Walt Disney World as a show director for nearly 30 years, is also a breeder of Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen and president of the GBGV Club of America.

63rd Year of the Awards

He noted that the Show Dog of the Year awards are now in their 63rd year, having originally been sponsored by Ken-L Ration. He credits ProPlan’s Anne Viklund with continuing the tradition, previously known as the Winkies, after the last co-sponsor, Dogs in Review magazine, went out of business.

Our Favorite Bill McFadden to MC

The black tie, by-invitation-only event held at the elegant Gotham Hall on Saturday, Feb. 10, will be MC’d by Bill McFadden and “BestMinster” with a few surprises thrown in.

The glamorous evening celebrates the winners of the Show Dog of the Year based on Dog News points calculations, the Champions Cup based on the most points earned at Purina-sponsored shows, the AKC Achievement awards for Juniors, Obedience and Agility, the Anne Rogers Clark award for outstanding achievement in the sport and, finally, the Pro Plan Awards.

Don't Forget to Vote

This final category is where you, our listeners, come in. Everyone in the purebred dog fancy is encouraged to vote for their favorites of three nominees, selected by committee, in each of the five categories.

Breeder of the Year

NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR BREEDER OF THE YEAR

Armando Angelbello, Eileen Hackett, and Doug Johnson

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.

Nominees for Breeder of the Year:

Karen Fitzpatrick — Meadowlake Border Terriers

Lisa & Harry Miller — Kiarry American Foxhounds

Bill Shelton & Steve Leyerly & Becky Williams DVM — Coventry Pembroke Welsh Corgis

 

Professional Handler of the Year

NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR PROFESSIONAL HANDLER OF THE YEAR

Kellie Fitzgerald, Bergit Kabel, and Valerie Nunes- Atkinson

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.

Nominees for Professional Handler of the Year:

Angela Lloyd

Tiffany Skinner

Mike Stone

 

Judge of the Year

NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR JUDGE OF THE YEAR

Barbara Dempsey Alderman, Frank Sabella, and Bill Shelton

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,