A Word or Two from AKC President & CEO Dennis Sprung

A Word or Two from AKC President & CEO Dennis Sprung

Hello! We are back with some exciting updates and important reminders. As always, we are honored to continue to share this information with our core constituency once again. Your consistent commitment, dedication, continual contributions, and volunteerism to AKC are vital and appreciated.

First, we are pleased to announce that AKC EDDY Award applications are now open through September 1, 2024. The AKC Eddy Award is designed to encourage and reward parent clubs that demonstrate a breeder education effort (website, workshop, mentoring, or the like) that provides information beyond the expected in an interesting and unique manner. Parent clubs will be divided into four tiers based on the size of their membership program. They will be selected by this year’s committee consisting of Mari-Beth O’Neill (VP, AKC Sports Services), Ashley Jacot (AKC Director of Education), and Anne H. Bowes (Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Inc. and 2007 AKC Herding Group Breeder of the Year).

Recipients of the award will receive:

• A certificate will be presented to the winner(s) at the AKC National Championship in December.
• A digital badge to put on the club’s website.
• Posting on AKC social media and/or AKC Breeder Education page.
• An interview with the winner(s) on tape for historical preservation.
• Winner(s) to do a write-up about their Breeder Education to share with the dog world.

For more information on the award, please visit: https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/breeder-education/akc-eddy-award/.

The deadline for submitting the completed applications form is September 1, 2024, and a maximum of eight (8) winners will be chosen.

We are thrilled to announce more exciting programming coming to ESPN networks this summer. The canine competitions kicked off with AKC Disc Dog Challenge, presented by The Farmer’s Dog, on June 15th, followed by the AKC Diving Dogs Challenge, presented by The Farmer’s Dog, on Wednesday, July 3rd, culminating with the AKC Agility Premier Cup, presented by Tractor Supply Co, on Sunday, July 28th.

Mark your calendars, so you don’t miss a minute of the action:

• AKC Diving Dog Challenge, Wednesday, July 3rd at 10am ET on ESPN2
• AKC Agility Premier Cup, Sunday, July 28th at 12pm ET.

Check your local listings for channel information.

The AKC Disc Dog Challenge was held at UNC Asheville in Asheville, North Carolina, and demonstrated canine and human athletes’ talents through four unique games: Freestyle, Time Warp, Frizgility, and Far Out. The AKC Diving Dogs took over the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Record-holding canine athletes compete for bragging rights in two divisions (Open and Lap) and two games (Air Retrieve and Distance). The top agility dogs and handlers from around the country navigated challenging courses as they competed in the AKC Agility Premier Cup at National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota.

The top agility dogs and handlers from around the country navigated challenging courses as they competed in the AKC Agility Premier Cup at National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota.

Lastly, we are proud to announce the recipients of the AKC Junior Scholarships. Scholarships totaling $23,000 were awarded to the following recipients.

Jessica Braatz from Gainesville, Florida:

Jessica competed with English Setters and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and is a Senior at the University of Florida majoring in English. She has already self-published and illustrated a children’s book, Norman Takes Tarrytown. She’s approved to judge Junior Showmanship and is a member of the English Setter Junior Committee.

Grace Brown from Kensington, Maryland:

Grace competed primarily with Golden Retrievers and several other breeds. She served as President of the 4-H Kinds N’ Dogs Club and volunteers at the Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club. Grace plans to attend Montgomery Community College.

Kathryn Markey from Berlin, Connecticut:

Kathryn competed with Collies, Vizslas, and Dalmatians. She is a member of the Collie Club of America, Vizsla Club of America, and the Dalmatian Club of America. Kathryn also competed in Pointing Breed Hunting Tests with her Vizslas. Currently pursuing a degree in Digital Media & Design at the University of Connecticut, she recently designed the logo for the 2024 Vizsla Club of America National Specialty and continues to breed and exhibit her dogs.

Ryan Markey from Berlin, Connecticut:

Ryan competed in Juniors with Vizsla, in Pointing Breed Hunting Tests. Ryan is a current high school senior and plans to study Electrical Engineering.

O’Malley McGee from Simpsonville, South Carolina:

O’Malley competes with Pointers, Vizslas, and German Shorthaired Pointers. O’Malley also competed in Pointing Breed Hunting Tests and is a member of the American Pointer Club and the Vizsla Club of America. O’Malley is a rising Senior at Auburn University with a major in Wildlife Ecology Management.

Kaitlynn Myers from Leslie, Missouri:

Kaitlynn competed in AKC events with her Golden Retriever, including Rally, working towards a Championship title and Fast CAT. She is a member of the Dardenne Retriever Club and the Golden Retriever Club of America and is entering her third year at the University of Missouri.

Annaliese North from Stillwater, Minnesota:

Annaliese competes in AKC events with her Smooth Fox Terrier and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She is a member of the Twin Cities Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club and the American Fox Terrier Club. Annaliese will be attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the fall.

Octavia Stensen from Everson, Washington:

Octavia competes with Norwegian Buhunds and is a member of the parent club. Wins include Juniors at the AKC National Championship in 2023, representing the United States at the International Junior Competition, and The Westminster KC Dog Show in 2024. Octavia is attending Western Washington University, studying Mandarin and Business.

Fenric Towell from Norfolk, Virginia:

Fenric owns, breeds, and shows Lakeland Terrier and Beagles. Fenric is a member of the United States Lakeland Terrier Club, volunteering at Meet the Breeds held at the Javitz Center, and is attending the Tidewater Community College.

Olivia Uyeno from La Habra Heights, California:

Olivia competed with Standard Manchester Terriers and Golden Retrievers. Olivia was also involved in FFA in high school and is a sophomore at Colorado State University with a major in Animal Science, with hopes to attend veterinary school.

Allison Yoho from Stillwater, Minnesota:

Allison competed in Juniors with Shetland Sheepdogs and Golden Retrievers and is a member of the Greater Twin Cities Golden Retriever Club. She is a senior at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cites majoring in Economics. Allison plans to continue to participate as a breeder and exhibitor of Golden Retrievers.

Allyson Zapadinsky from Cary, North Carolina:

Allyson competed in Junior Showmanship with her Boxer. Ally assisted at the AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day held in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is attending UNC-Asheville in the fall.

To learn more about Junior Scholarships, visit: https://www.akc.org/sports/conformation/junior-showmanship/junior-showmanship-scholarship-recipients/.

Once again, I am appreciative of your contributions as responsible breeders, delegates, exhibitors, handlers, owners, and judges. You are truly what makes us great.