Page 22 - Chow LIfe - Winter 2018

The American Kennel Club Announces

2018 AKC Breeder of the Year Group Honorees

By Samantha Seymour

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to The Bangharts believe that mentoring is a vital part of
recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, the education process regarding understanding and
Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding breeding any dog. One of the greatest rewards they
groups as 2018 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. receive is seeing Chows that they’ve bred complete their
championships, owned and handled by newcomers
to the breed. They’ve recognized that one of the best
“The individuals that make up these breeding programs venues for learning was through membership and active
have dedicated their lives to the advancement of their participation in the national Chow Chow club, the
respective breeds, producing dogs that are true to regional clubs and the all-breed clubs. They have held
their breed standards in appearance, function and working positions at each and continue to learn from
temperament,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and and enjoy these associations.
CEO. “Breeders are the heart of the American Kennel
Club and we are proud to annually honor some of the
nation’s finest with this award.” As breeders, they have received the CCCI Breeder Gold
Circle of Honor and have bred over 80 conformation
champions, including BIS and BISS winners, with
The 2018 AKC Breeder of the Year award will limited breeding of not more than three litters a year.
be presented in the ring at the AKC National Their Chows have earned 15 CCCI Circle of Honor
Championship presented by Royal Canin on Saturday awards and included 22 ROM recipients.
evening, December 15, 2018.
As owner-handlers, they’ve had many memorable
National Specialty awards, have bred five all-breed BIS
A canine portraitist will be commissioned to winners, owned and handled four all-breed BIS winners,
commemorate a prominent dog from the Breeder of won 40 BISS, co-owned and shown the number one
the Year’s kennel, and their name will be added to the Chow all-breed points 1994 and 1995 Supreme Chow,
perpetual trophy. All group recipients will receive a and owner-handled CCCI top ten Chows 26 times.
medallion in recognition of their achievements.
Sporting Group: Wilson and Bonnie Pike, Silverhall
The group winners are: Cocker Spaniels
Non-Sporting Group: Robert and Linda Love Banghart, Hound Group: Robert Urban, Foxfire Black and Tan
Rebelrun Chow Chows Coonhounds
Robert and Linda Love Banghart have been actively Working Group: Victoria Weaver and Pamela Marsh,
involved with Chow Chows since 1976 with a focus on Gamegard Rottweilers
developing a sound Chow that can truly serve as “man’s Terrier Group: Laurie Zembrzuski and Gaby Gilbeau,
best friend”. The health certification tools available, along LAMZ Bedlington Terriers
with their work with rescue helped them to appreciate
the importance of having well-bred Chows that are Toy Group: Larry and Penny Dewey, Ruffian Miniature
socialized and healthy. Pinschers
Herding Group: Kent Boyles and Liz Oster, Kenlyn/
Marquis German Shepherd Dogs

The full bios for all Group Honorees can be found at
https://www.akc.org/about/awards-and-honors/breeder-
of-the-year/

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