Good breeders breed good dogs, and the best breeders know that education is paramount to their success. In 2023, the AKC launched the AKC Eddy Award program to recognize Parent Clubs who go above and beyond in their breeder education efforts.
Despite working towards the same goal, each club took their own approach and produced unique educational events, courses, documents, and mentoring opportunities.
Congratulations to the 2023 winners:
- American Bullmastiff Association
- American Eskimo Dog Club of America
- Basset Hound Club of America
- Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America
- Dachshund Club of America
- Doberman Pinscher Club of America
- Norfolk Terrier Club of America
- Pug Dog Club of America
In 2024, The American Kennel Club will honor Parent Clubs that provide outstanding breeder education materials to their members and to new breeders of their breed with the AKC Eddy Award. Click here to apply now
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What is the AKC Eddy Award?
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The Eddy Award seeks to recognize outstanding breeder education offered by Parent Clubs. Winning Parent Clubs will receive:
- A certificate will be presented to the winner(s) at the AKC National Championship in December.
- A digital badge to put on the club’s website.
- Posting on AKC Social Media and/or AKC Breeder Education page.
- An interview with the winner(s) on tape for historical preservation.
- Winner(s) to do a write-up about their Breeder Education to share with the dog world.
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Purpose of the Award
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The purpose of the AKC Eddy Award is to encourage Parent Clubs to provide extensive Breeder Education information to their members and for anyone interested in breeding their breed.
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Requirements
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A Parent Club must demonstrate a breeder education effort (website, workshop, mentoring, or the like) that provides information beyond the expected in an interesting and unique manner. All Parent Clubs are invited to submit a description of their breeder education effort for consideration by the committee.
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Criteria
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Parent Clubs will be divided into four (4) tiers based on the size of their membership and resources.
A submission form will be provided to each Parent Club via an announcement sent to President, Secretary, and Delegate, on or about June 1st annually. The deadline for submitting the completed form will be September 1st annually. There will be a maximum of eight (8) winners each year.
What criteria will be considered in selecting winners by club tier?
- Does the submission describe in detail how the club provided significant help for current and/or prospective breeders?
- Does the submission describe in detail how the club provided an easy-to-understand resource for both experienced and novice breeders?
- Is there an easy way to either save or re-visit the information?
- Is the club created program somehow unique to breeder education?
- Could other clubs replicate the program in a manner appropriate to their resources? Does this program reach out to breeders who may not be members of the Parent Club? How?
- How does the Parent Club reach out to its own membership?
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Frequently Asked Questions
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When will the next AKC Eddy Award be presented?
Submissions will be accepted beginning June 1, 2024 and will be due September 1, 2024. The AKC Eddy Award will be presented at the 2024 AKC National Championship in Orlando, Florida.
Who will choose the recipients?
Recipients will be chosen by a 3-member committee consisting of Mari-Beth O’Neill, AKC Vice President, Sports Services, Ashley Jacot, AKC Director of Education, and Anne Bowes, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America.
Who can I contact with questions?
Please email education@akc.org.