Game of Thrones may be over, but dogs and dog lovers around the world are still feeling the show's repercussions. For eight years, more than 30 million viewers watched dire wolves protect the Stark family. For many viewers, Ghost, Summer, Nymeria and pack's intelligence, fierce loyalty, and imposing stature were more than entertaining: it inspired them […]

Breeder of Merit recognition and benefits are based on the BOM’s commitment to registering their puppies and health testing the parents. Are you living up to your contract?  The agreement signed when you applied:  I hereby apply to participate in the Breeder of Merit Program. I certify by my signature that I have read, understand, […]

Meet Gayle Watkins, breeder of over 100 titled Golden Retrievers that have excelled in multiple sports and co-founder of Avidog International.  A Gold-level AKC Breeder of Merit, Gayle Watkins of Highlands, North Carolina, puts the “purpose” in multi-purpose dogs: Her Gaylan’s Golden Retrievers have earned more than 140 American and Canadian conformation, obedience, tracking, Rally and agility championships, as well as Master Hunter titles. Dozens […]

AKC Breeder of Merit and Bred with H.E.A.R.T. breeder Beth Lilly, owner of Safari Schipperkes, fell in love with her first Schipperke, Smokey, more than 30 years ago. At first, she was “just your average pet owner.” But with encouragement from a friend, she became a dedicated fancier and in the past 23 years has produced 38 champions and had well over 100 health tests performed on them. Smokey passed away at 19 years of age, and Beth said she still misses him.  […]

In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were created and first awarded in 1999 to honor our best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of dedication have led to significant contributions to our sport on a national […]

People in the sport of dogs can wear many hats, and Bonnie Threlfall of Cary, North Carolina, has pretty much donned them all: Born into a dog-show family, she has been breeding her Edgewood English Cocker Spaniels for more than 40 years. After a decade-long stint as a professional handler in the late 1970s into […]

Mary Falls, an AKC Breeder of Merit, has bred and shown Giant Schnauzers for 28 years under the kennel name Classic Giant Schnauzers of Easentaigh (Gaelic for “Falls House”). She lives on the Bluffs of Baraboo in Wisconsin. She began her work life as a certified veterinary technician and now holds a doctorate in nursing practice. She also bred, raised, trained, and showed Morgan Horses for 20 years.  AKC: How did […]

Linda Jarvis, an AKC Breeder of Merit, started breeding Airedale Terriers in 1984. A resident of New Bern, NC, Linda is a past president and current board member of the Airedale Terrier Club of America and is very active in the sport of dogs, attending seminars and judging. AKC: How did you get started in […]

Harold (“Red”) Tatro III and Denise Tatro of Redglen Lakeland Terriers and Whippets value versatility in their lives as well as their dogs. In the fancy for more than a half-century, this couple from Crowley, Texas, has spanned multiple groups and events with their interests and breeding activities, from conformation to earth dog trials to […]

At a recent dog show, a dog of another toy breed entered the ring, and he had a very obvious marking that his breed standard calls an “extremely serious fault.”  A very longtime breeder of this breed was showing him. What was the breeder thinking?  Was he making points? Was he hoping the judge didn’t […]