Award Presented at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
James W. Smith of North Collins, NY was honored with the 2012 AKC Breeder of the Year Award for his Absolutely Smooth Fox Terriers at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Sunday, December 16, 2012. The annual award honors those breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs.
“Congratulations to Jim,” said Michael Canalizo, AKC’s Director of Event Management. “The American Kennel Club knows that the breeders of purebred dogs are the backbone of our sport, so we’re proud to honor them each year at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Being recognized as Breeder of the Year is one of the highest honors achievable.”
Each year, one honoree is chosen from each of the seven groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. From those seven, one Group winner is selected as “AKC Breeder of the Year” during the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, which was held this year in Orlando, Florida on December 15 and 16. The Breeder of the Year ceremony will be included in the show’s telecast on ABC Network Television on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Check local listings for air times.
As the 2012 AKC Breeder of the Year recipient, Jim will be honored with a commission from a canine portraitist to memorialize a prominent dog from his kennel and his name will be inscribed on a perpetual trophy. They will remain on permanent display at the AKC headquarters in New York City.
About Absolutely Smooth Fox Terriers
Jim attended his first dog show with a Dalmatian in 1956 and has been involved in the sport ever since. He quickly gravitated to the terrier rings and acquired a Wire Fox Terrier in 1957. His first Smooth came in 1962.
A Delegate for the Dalmatian Club of America for 26 years, Jim currently represents the Washington State Obedience Training Club. He is in his third separate term as president of the American Fox Terrier Club, having previously served as vice president, delegate, and secretary.
Jim was not active breeding and showing for a large part of the 1990s during his tenure as a member of the AKC board. He has also served on AKC ad hoc committees, most recently the one which revised the judges’ approval process.
In 1999, he acquired a Smooth from Eddie Boyes, and Jim’s interest and involvement has proceeded full speed ever since. Absolutely has produced over 50 bred, owned, and campaigned champions, Best in Show dogs, national and regional specialty winners, and numerous group winners. Preservation and maintenance of the breed are paramount, while adherence to the standard is constantly reviewed.
Jim’s greatest pleasure is sitting and watching puppies play and develop.
All seven Group honorees were presented with medallions during the show on December 16, 2012. Group winners included:
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Sporting Group: Dr. Dana Massey – Win’Weim Weimaraners, Valley Mills, Texas
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Hound Group: Alicia Hanna – Kimani Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Chester, New Jersey
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Working Group: Lynn Brady and Connie Townsend – Szumeria Kuvasz, Farmington, Minnesota
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Terrier Group: James W. Smith – Absolutely Smooth Fox Terriers, North Collins, New York
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Toy Group: Tammy and John Simon – Ta-Jon Maltese, Collinsville, Texas
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Non-Sporting Group: Krista Nuovo – Delamer Schipperkes, Middletown, New York
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Herding Group: J. Frank Baylis and Chris Oldt – Bayshore Border Collies, Woodstock, Virginia
For more information on all of the AKC Breeder of the Year Group honorees visit www.akc.org.
Award Presented at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
James W. Smith of North Collins, NY…