The American Kennel Club Announces The Winners of the 2019 Breeder of Year By Sport Awards

The American Kennel Club wishes to acknowledge those individuals that have excelled at breeding dogs that have proven to be outstanding in AKC sports.  The commitment to preserve, protect and improve a breed represents the very essence of the AKC. Thompsons Border Collies received the award for Herding, Border Collies.

The 2019 AKC Breeder of the Year by Sport Award is given to those who have dedicated themselves to improving the health, temperament and performance of dogs in a given sport.
The 2019 Breeder of the Year by Sport award recipients are:

• Pointing Breed Field Events: Dave and Lee Walker, German Shorthaired Pointers
• Retriever Field Events: Brenda and Ken Neil, Labrador Retrievers
• Spaniel Field Events: Jane Haworth, English Springer Spaniels
• Hound Field Events: Sandra Russell, Dachshunds
• Herding: Karen Thompson, Border Collies
• Lure Coursing: Chuck Boyd, Gail Boyd and Jenny Boyd, Whippets
• Earthdog: Margaret, Arnold and Kathleen Henning, Border Terriers
• Coonhounds: Ronald Holt, Treeing Walker Coonhounds
• Agility: Donna Polka, Border Collies
• Obedience: Maureen and Trevor Tobias, Border Collies
• Rally: Ann Callahan, Rottweilers
• Tracking: Helen Hittesdorf, Belgian Tervurens

“Knowledgeable breeders are critical to the continued success of canine sports.  These breeders have shown a long-term dedication to enhancing breed instincts and breeding sound dogs with good temperaments,” said Doug Ljungren, Executive Vice President for Sports and Events. “Their accomplishments represent the highest level of commitment to their breeds and sports.”
Each recipient received a Breeder of the Year rosette mounted in a shadow box.
The American Kennel Club salutes these individuals for their dedication and success in breeding purpose-bred dogs.