Ms. Deirdre Petrie

With more than five decades of experience in purebred dogs, Deirdre Petrie began her journey in 1975 with Afghan Hounds, which she actively exhibited through the late 1980s. Although she did not breed Afghan Hounds, she was fortunate to own dogs from such esteemed kennels and bloodlines as Kabik, Majic, Applause, and Stormhill.

In 1976, Deirdre acquired her first Saluki and went on to breed and exhibit the breed with notable success. Through a carefully limited breeding program, she produced twelve homebred champions, as well as several Group-winning Salukis, through the late 1990s.

In 1986, Deirdre turned her attention to the Chinese Crested, a rare breed at the time not being a fully recognized breed by the AKC. Deirdre established the highly regarded Makara bloodline, recognized for its distinctive type and its influence on many contemporary bloodlines.

Makara dogs have produced more than 100 champions, including multiple Top Ten-ranked Chinese Cresteds, Toy Group winners, and numerous Specialty winners. She is especially proud to have exhibited the first Chinese Crested to win back-to-back National Specialty Bests in Show in the breed’s history as an owner handler.

An approved AKC judge since 2006, Deirdre is currently approved to judge the Hound, Toy, and Non-Sporting Groups, along with numerous additional breeds and Best in Show. She has had the honor of judging many Hound and Toy dog Specialty shows, as well as Afghan Hound, Saluki, and Chinese Crested Specialties, including the American Chinese Crested Club National Specialty twice, the Chinese Crested National Specialty in Canada, and the 50th Anniversary Chinese Crested Specialty in the United Kingdom. Other notable judging assignments have included the prestigious AKC National Championship dog show in Orlando where she judged the Hound Group and the National Dog Show/Philadelphia Kennel Club where she judged the Toy Group.

Deirdre remains deeply dedicated to the advancement of purebred dogs and takes great pleasure in judging. She resides in beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she is lovingly owned by one cherished—and thoroughly spoiled—Xoloitzcuintli.