Millie, a history-making Danish-Swedish Farmdog, breaks barriers as the first in her breed to earn AKC Group placements and a GCH title.
Ellyn Hutson
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The Danish-Swedish Farmdog may be a newcomer to the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) spotlight, but one young bitch has already made her mark on the breed’s history books. Meet Double G Thumpers Paint The Town, affectionately known as “Millie”—the first Danish-Swedish Farmdog to earn a Group placement in AKC history and the first of her breed to achieve a Grand Champion Bronze title. As of May 31, 2025, Millie holds the coveted title of No. 1 Danish-Swedish Farmdog in the US—all systems*. Her story is not just one of wins and ribbons, but a journey of breed advocacy, teamwork, and boundary-breaking excellence.
The Danish-Swedish Farmdog (or Dansk-Svensk Gårdshund) originated in the pastoral heartlands of Denmark and Sweden. Bred to be all-purpose farm companions, they are known for their keen intelligence, cheerful disposition, athletic build, and versatility in hunting, herding, and companionship.
As the AKC Breed Standard notes, they are “a small, compact and slightly rectangular dog,” predominantly white with clearly defined patches. Their movement should be “parallel and free.” The head should reflect a moderate stop, with a muzzle that is slightly shorter than the skull.
The breed joined the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service in 2011, moved to the Miscellaneous Group in 2023, and officially entered full AKC recognition on January 1, 2025, where it was placed in the Working Group. Notably, the Danish-Swedish Farmdog is the only table dog in the Working Group, a distinctive trait that adds to their charm and unique presence in the ring. Though often mistaken for a terrier due to their size and personality, the Danish-Swedish Farmdog is correctly classified as a pinscher—a heritage that reflects their versatility and historic role on Scandinavian farms.
Like many rare breeds, Farmdogs initially faced challenges in the US—limited visibility, unfamiliarity among judges, and small entries. But Millie’s emergence began shifting the landscape.
Bred by Dr. Marty Greer and Dr. Dan Griffiths of Double G Kennels in Lomira, Wisconsin—both renowned reproductive veterinarians and tireless breed advocates—Millie descends from a lineage built for greatness. Dr. Greer was named the 2023 Veterinarian of the Year by The Westminster Kennel Club. Millie’s grandsire, Adens Jazzinga Jens CM (Certificate of Merit), was bred by Lars Adeheimer, a key figure in the breed’s development and one of the authors of the Danish-Swedish Farmdog Breed Standard. Millie’s Scandinavian heritage runs deep, with roots tracing back to Erika Karlsson’s Kennel Stolta Ebbas in Sweden.
Millie is owned and loved by Ellyn Hutson, Roger Twitchell, Justin Worth, and Andre Merced Worth. She began her show career in December 2023 at the Newberry, Florida, cluster in the 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy Competitions (BPUP), just days after turning four months old. It didn’t take long for judges to notice. Several remarked she was the best Danish-Swedish Farmdog they’d seen to date. At the 2023 AKC National week of shows, she was seriously considered for Best of Opposite Sex at the Open Show—at just four months old.
Competing in the Miscellaneous Class throughout 2024, Millie quickly amassed a powerful record: four Certificates of Merit, 13 Bests in Show-Miscellaneous (BIS-Misc) wins, two Bests in Show Specialty-Miscellaneous (BISS-Misc) titles, and multiple Bests in Open Show awards. A high point came in Orlando at the Brevard Kennel Club show, where Millie won Best of Breed under FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) President Dr. Tamas Jakkal—a huge accomplishment in a competitive Farmdog entry.
Initially shown by Ellyn, Millie transitioned to co-owner and professional handler Justin Worth (JA Worth Kennel & Handling) in mid-2024 when Ellyn’s work commitments increased. Their partnership, based on mutual respect and aligned vision, became a cornerstone of Team Millie’s growing success.
With her impeccable movement, ring presence, and adherence to the Standard, Millie began earning a reputation that extended far beyond her breed. Judges described her movement as “exquisite” and “parallel and free,” with one judge telling the team:
“I didn’t think the breed was going to make it… until I saw Millie.”
When full AKC recognition arrived on January 1, 2025, Millie wasted no time making her presence known. At the inaugural Danish-Swedish Farmdog specialties in Palm Springs, California, Millie—still a puppy—won Best of Opposite Sex, a major victory and a statement that the breed’s time had come.
Shortly thereafter, she entered a Westminster-bound Working Group at the Greater Barrington Kennel Club show and earned her first official Group placement—a Group Four under Judge Sulie Greendale-Paveza. Millie would go on to add a Group One (Judge Charles Olvis), two Group Threes (Judges Debra Thornton and Nancy Liebes), and three additional Group Fours (Judges Terry DePietro, Karen Hynek, and Doug Johnson), cementing her place in AKC history.
Millie has become the face—and four legs—of the Danish-Swedish Farmdog in the United States. At shows, Justin is regularly approached by spectators, handlers, and judges curious about the breed. As part of their partnership, Ellyn insisted Justin master the Breed Standard and be ready to educate on it at any time. He’s since become a reliable resource for newcomers, potential judges, and even established members of the fancy.
Ever the ambassador, Justin frequently hands out cards directing interested parties to Millie’s breeders, Dr. Greer and Dr. Griffiths, for responsible puppy inquiries. Demand has grown so much, he can barely keep cards in stock.
While Millie hasn’t had a litter yet, Caney Branch Farm recently welcomed a young male—Barkalotta’s Shaken Not Stirred (“Martini”)—as a potential suitor. His development will be closely watched to determine if he’s a suitable match for the reigning queen of the ring.
Millie’s journey from a bright-eyed puppy in Newberry to a barrier-breaking Group winner is more than just a Cinderella story; it’s a blueprint for how rare breeds can rise when guided by passion, partnership, and purpose.
With every ribbon, every placement, and every person she inspires, Millie isn’t just winning titles—she’s shaping the future of her breed in the United States. And that’s something worth painting the town about.
“From the beginning, I knew she was special. But watching the world come to see it, too—that’s been the real reward.” —Ellyn Hutson, co-owner and proud partner in history
*Owner-calculated as of 6/10/25
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