Orlando, FL — Judith M. Russell was presented with the 2022 AKC Breeder of the Year award for Karnovanda Kennels, Reg. Siberian Huskies at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Sunday, December 18, 2022. The annual award honors those breeders who have made an impact on their breed and dedicate their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs.
“We are thrilled to honor Judith M. Russell with the 2022 AKC Breeder of the Year award,” said Dennis B. Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “The Karnovanda prefix has been associated with top quality, healthy Siberian Huskies in the United States and their impact on the breed will be seen for many more years to come.”
One honoree is chosen from each of the seven groups:
- Sporting
- Hound
- Working
- Terrier
- Toy
- Non-Sporting
- Herding
From those seven, one Group winner is selected as “AKC Breeder of the Year” during the AKC National Championship, which was held this year in Orlando, FL on December 17th and 18th. Presentation highlights are available on www.akc.org.
As the 2022 AKC Breeder of the Year recipient, Judith M. Russell will be honored with a commission from a canine portraitist to memorialize a prominent dog from her breeding program and her name will be inscribed on a perpetual trophy, both of which will be displayed at the AKC headquarters in New York City.
About Karnovanda Kennels, Reg. Siberian Huskies
Judith M. Russell’s love of animals and competition started as a child, when she began competing with American Saddle Bred horses. Through her horse trainer, she obtained her first Siberian Husky that she showed to championship and a Utility Dog title.
Judy and her children became involved in sled-dog racing, and this influenced the breeding program. Karnovanda has produced generations of successful sled dogs, influential producers, winning show dogs and wonderful pets. Following her mentor Julia Gasow’s practices, Judy has always looked outside her own kennel for good dogs which might enhance her breeding program. Throughout the years Judy has continued to strive to produce Standard-fitting, genetically healthy Siberians with excellent temperaments.
Karnovanda has produced approximately 500 Champions, including 12 Best-in-Show winners, one of which has won 32 Bests-in-Show. In addition to conformation wins, Karnovanda Siberian Huskies have won five consecutive Siberian Husky Club of America Working-Showing trophies for excellence in showing and sledding.
Today, Karnovanda Kennels consists of Judy and Sarah N. Hubbach, who started as an 8-year-old puppy petter and now is a full partner.
They maintain about 30 adult dogs and continue to look to the future with the breeding philosophy summarized by Judy as, “when breeding two animals the first thing to think about is the temperament and attitude of the puppies, then we look at the pedigrees of the parents and ensure that they are compatible and not too closely related, and finally we balance the strengths and weaknesses of both parents to determine if they are to each other’s advantage.
We believe that it is as inappropriate to produce miniature, non-functional Siberians, as it is to produce overdone Malamute style dogs. The perfect dog will always prove to be elusive but getting there is a lot of fun. We are always looking for quality dogs to incorporate good genetics. Over the generations a Karnovanda style has developed, and this is something we are both proud of. Mostly, we just love the Siberian Husky breed and want to see it continue to thrive.”
Group winners included:
- Sporting Group: Dennis and Katey Brown, Solivia Pointers
- Hound Group: Margaret “Maggie” K. Mott & Sally P. Simmonds, Kamgaard Norwegian Elkhounds, Reg.
- Working Group: Judith M. Russell, Karnovanda Kennels, Reg. Siberian Huskies
- Terrier Group: Geri Kelly and Suzanne Steele, Kelly’s Miniature Schnauzers
- Toy Group: Kim Calvacca & Robin Greenslade, KimRo Miniature Pinschers
- Non-Sporting Group: Bob, Nancy, Brenda and Link Newcomb, Newcomb Bulldogs
- Herding Group: Gloria F. Birch, Covy-Tucker Hill German Shepherds
The fourth annual posthumous Breeder of the Year was awarded to Walter F. Goodman of Glamoor Kennels (Skye Terriers) for his devotion to the breed as a world-renown breeder-owner-handler, American Kennel Club judge and member of AKC’s Board of Directors.
For more information on all the AKC Breeder of the Year Group honorees, click here.
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