Ms. Debra Thornton

Debra Thornton has been breeding dogs for 46 years and judging for 21 years. She is an AKC Judge, currently licensed to judge the Working Group, Hound Group, Terrier Group, Sporting Group, and part of the Non-Sporting Group, including BIS and the Miscellaneous Breeds. She also judges a few Toy Breeds as well as her new breed, Pumik.

In 1983, Debra acquired her first Newfoundland while living in Salinas, California. Over the years, she has bred over 100 champions and a large number of nationally known dogs. She bred GCh. Cypress Bay’s Big Sur who won the 2015 Newfoundland Club of America’s National Specialty. He was also the No. 1 Newf in the US in 2014, winning several BISs, and was the No. 9 Working Dog. The year 2016 brought another big honor as Int’l. Ch. Cypress Bay’s The One That I Want For Bear N Mind (Danny) took the breed at Crufts and garnered a Group 3. Debra also bred and co-owned Ch. Cypress Bay’s See Sea Baby ROM. “Baby” won the Newfoundland National Specialty Show in California in March of 2005. She was also a BIS bitch. She won the breed at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show under breeder-judge Mr. David Helming in 2006. Debbie also bred Ch. Cypress Bay Can Do Cassandra ROM. “Cassie” took BOS at the 1993 and 1994 National Specialty. Her children went on to honor her, including Ch. Cypress Bay Pouch Cove Chest’r (BOS at 1996 National Specialty), Ch. Cypress Bay Dai of Summer ROM (First Select at 1995 National Specialty), and GCh. Cypress Bay JL Snazzy Story at Avalon Bey (Select at the 2011 and No. 1 Newfoundland in 2012).

The year 2011 ended with two of Debra’s dogs among the top three Newfs. GCh. Cypress Bay’s Don Juan DeMarco took the top honor as No. 1 show dog, and “Snazzy” was named No. 3. GCh. Cypress Bay’s JL Snazzy Story at Avalon Bey, co-owned and bred by Debbie, won the breed at Westminster in 2012 and he also took his first BIS.

While continuing to establish her breeding program with the Newfoundland, Debra became involved with the Portuguese Water Dog. She bred several litters and finished many of her dogs. This was an excellent experience that gave her firsthand insight into this wonderful breed. In 2012, Debra saw a new breed while at The National Dog Show. Another adventure started when she obtained her first Pumik. She now has three of them and has enjoyed working with this new AKC breed.

Debra resides with her husband, Marv, in Rincon, Georgia. She is the past President of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Kennel Club and past Treasurer of the Hatboro Dog Club in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. She is currently a Board Member of the Savannah Kennel Club and VP of the Magnolia Pumi Club. She is also the Founder of the Animal Care Association of Mexico. This organization rescues and neuters street animals and educates the good people of Acapulco of this growing problem. It is the first organization of its kind in Mexico.