Laura Haas has loved bringing puppies into the world for as long as she can remember.
As a child through young adulthood, she helped her family with their hobby of breeding German Shepherd Dogs.
She stopped the endeavor after she married and started raising a family of her own.
But an encounter with a new breed re-ignited her love of producing beautiful purebred dogs.
“In 2008 while at an AKC conformation show, I met a Black Russian Terrier for the first time. I fell in love with the breed, and it renewed my enthusiasm in breeding. I purchased my first Black Russian Terrier (BRT) in 2011 and founded Braveheart Black Russian Terriers.”
Haas says she strives to be an excellent breeder, like her parents and the type of breeder she looked for when selecting her first BRT.
“I sought out BRT breeders who were knowledgeable, performed DNA testing on their litters, and produced healthy puppies that represent the standard for the breed.”
Haas is a member of the AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. (BWH) program that promotes excellence in breeding through education and health testing. H.E.A.R.T stands for Health, Education, Accountability, Responsibility and Tradition.
AKC’s Bred with H.E.A.R.T. Program has been in existence for two years. Breeders who enrolled will receive an email notification 60 days prior to their annual membership expiration date.
Haas, a resident of Massapequa, NY, recently renewed her BWH membership so she could continue with the program’s many benefits to breeders.
“I learned about the Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program from the AKC website and was inspired to become a member because the program recognizes the efforts of breeders like me: committed to gaining knowledge and producing healthy, happy, stable and confident puppies.”
To consistently maintain your benefits and Bred with H.E.A.R.T. status, BWH members need to renew prior to the expiration date by logging into your MyAKC Account and navigate to the Bred with H.E.A.R.T. page on akc.org. Scroll to Program Details and click Member Login / Renew / Enroll. Once logged into your account on the Bred with H.E.A.R.T. page you will be able to renew your breed or add new breeds.
If you have not joined Bred with H.E.A.R.T., you are eligible if you have registered at least one litter with AKC within the past five years and are in good standing with AKC. You also must agree to the following:
- Certify that applicable health screens are performed on breeding stock as recommended by the respective AKC Parent Club and be prepared to supply proof of such compliance upon request
- Comply with the AKC Care and Conditions Policy, including inspection(s) by the American Kennel Club or its duly authorized representative
- Complete AKC-approved and/or AKC-provided continuing breeder education courses annually (4 credits per year)
- Complete the online application process and pay an annual fee of $25 per breed
An important BWH component is inspection. Breeders agree to an on-site inspection by an AKC Field Inspector who takes a close look at the kennel operations to ensure the AKC Care & Conditions Policy is followed.
The AKC rewards breeders who take the pledge with benefits including use of the Bred with H.E.A.R.T. logo on AKC dog registration applications; breed-specific web banners; litter registration discount, $35 in annual credit for online reports, and many more.
For more information on Bred with H.E.A.R.T., click here.
If you need assistance with renewing BWH or starting a new membership, please contact AKC Customer service at 919-233-9767
for assistance.