Langdon Skarda, banker, lawyer, cowboy, breeder, owner-handler and all-breed judge, was perhaps the most beloved American Kennel Club judge of the 20th century. The award was conceived and created by a group of Skarda’s closest friends to honor and perpetuate his memory. And to encourage the perpetuation of the ethic which Skarda typified. It is presented each year at the Pedigree award banquet in New York City the Saturday before Westminster.

Nominations are welcomed from anyone in the fancy who believes their nomiminee, man, woman, or child “has given of themselves, and in so giving, has made the dog world better as a result of that contribution.”

Some of the past winners include such members of the fancy as Ray Bay, Joan Ludwig, Bill Holbrook, Sam Lawrence, David Merriam, Gordon Carvill, and Jud Streicher.

The Award Committee was the first canine organization to recognize the Search and Rescue teams with a special award to the FEMA teams for work on Mt. St Helens and Oklahoma City.

Some of the original committee members are Edd Bivin, Corky Vroom, Gene Haupt, Stan Flowers, Maxine Beam, Jim Moses and Gene Zaphiris.

A nominating form can be found by clicking here. You may also send nominations via e-mail to e.bivin@tcu.edu. Nominations must include the name, address and phone of the nominator as well as a brief description of his or her dog activity and an explanation in 100 words or less telling why the nominee is worthy of the award.

Nominations close on October 30th.

For more information on the award, please visit the Langdon Skarda Award section of our website.