– “AKC Breeder of the Year” to be Announced at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship –

Today, the American Kennel Club® announced the seven group winners for the 2006 AKC® Breeder of the Year Award. The award honors breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs.

“We are proud to honor some of the nation's finest breeders with this award,” said Ron Menaker, AKC's Chairman of the Board. “The dogs who carry these kennel names have proven their breeders' commitment to excellence, consistency, function and type, both in the ring and the whelping box.”

A breeder is chosen from each of the seven groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. The individual group recipients will receive a medallion in recognition of their achievements on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, which will be televised live on Animal Planet and The Discovery Channel. At the end of the presentation, the 2006 AKC Breeder of the Year will be announced. Additionally, a canine portraitist will be commissioned to commemorate a prominent dog from the recipient's kennel, and their name will be inscribed on a perpetual trophy and plaque on permanent display at the AKC headquarters in New York City.

The group winners are:

• SPORTING: Judy Colan – Foster, RI, Colsidex Weimaraners

• HOUND: Susan Lacroix Hamil – Laguna Beach, CA, Quiet Creek Bloodhounds

• WORKING: Sandra D'Andrea – Lockport, NY, Nanuke Alaskan Malamutes

• TERRIER: Beverly J. Verna – Tracy, CA, Regency Miniature Schnauzers

• TOY: Jose A. Cabrera & Fabian Arienti – Miami, FL, Starfire Pomeranians

• NON-SPORTING: Kathy & George Beliew – Redlands, CA, Imagine Chow Chows

• HERDING: Douglas & Michaelanne Johnson – Colorado Springs, CO, Bugaboo Old English Sheepdogs