Contributor

Denise Borton

2 published articles

Denise Borton of Kalamazoo, Michigan, judged her first sweepstakes in 1993 and is licensed to judge 28 Working Breeds, with approved applications for the remaining three. She has judged numerous specialties and supported entries in the United States and Canada, the Bullmastiff Club of Victoria Annual Specialty in Australia, and the ABA National Specialty in 2013. In 2018, Denise was the all-breed judge for the American Bullmastiff Association Top 25. Denise has loved the breed for 51 years—and counting. She has attended National Specialties in the US, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, and at Crufts. She’s bred the first triple-titled (long before Agility was a recognized event) Bullmastiff (Ch. Lady V’s Hot Shot Shelah CDX TD) who was also the first to earn the TD title. Denise was the top owner-handler for four consecutive years with Ch. Ladybug’s Lady Caitlin TD who won seven all-breed BIS, two National Specialty BOB, two Regional Specialty BOB, two Supported Entry BOB, 64 Group Placements, 28 Group Firsts, and BOB/Westminster KC. “Caitlin” is the fourth Bullmastiff to earn a TD and her conformation record stands today as the No. 3 Bullmastiff/top-winning bitch of all time. Denise also breeder/owner-handled Ch. Ladybug’s Heartlink to Cait TD who earned all championship points from the BBE Class and was the seventh Bullmastiff to earn a TD. With this bitch, Denise won BOS back-to-back at the ABA National Specialty in 2001 & 2002. Her littermate brother, Ch. Ladybug Shastid Brahminson, was an all-breed BIS winner as well as a Gold ROM producer. Denise is a lifetime member of the ABA and a member of the Midwest Bullmastiff Fanciers (51 years). She’s served as an ABA Director (14 years), Assistant Editor to the ABA Bulletin (5 years), ABA Futurity Chair (12 years), ABA National Specialty Show Secretary (4 years), and Tracking Test Secretary/Chair (3 years). She has also been involved with health & research opportunities/blood draws/Broad Institute (5 years), and various National Specialty committee positions (14 years). Denise has received certificates of appreciation from the ABA (3 years), formal recognition in outside publications (six different books) that include Caitlin’s picture and accomplishments, and she is the author of seven articles for the Hoflin Annual and was the recipient of the AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award in 2009. Outside of dogs, Denise earned a degree in Agricultural Science with a double minor in biology and chemistry. She retired after 28 years with the Upjohn Company, bench trained in veterinary pathology, conducting and writing the clinical phase of drug safety studies for the FDA. Denise is very proud of her 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, and has been married to their grandfather for 41 years. She enjoys raising beef cattle, gardening, orchid growing, quilting, and traveling—when time permits.