The American Kennel Club Announces The 2025 Breeder Of The Year Group Honorees

The American Kennel Club (AKC^®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2025 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees.

“We are proud to celebrate the vital work of breeders through the Breeder of the Year award,” said Gina M. DiNardo, AKC President and CEO. “The excellence, dedication and expertise that each honoree exhibits is important to the betterment of their breeds and continuation of our sport. Dogs bearing the honorees’ kennel names are a testament to their quality and responsible breeding programs.”

The 2025 AKC Breeder of the Year award will be presented during the evening competition of the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

A canine portrait will be commissioned to commemorate a prominent dog from the Breeder of the Year’s kennel, and their name will be added to the perpetual trophy. All group recipients will receive a medallion in recognition of their achievements.

The group honorees are:

Sporting Group: Don and Pat Coller, Eileen Hackett, and Kate Hanlon, Wingfield ‘N Chebaco English Setters

Don and Pat Coller, Kate Hanlon and Eileen Hackett founded Wingfield ‘N Chebaco English Setters and believe their success is due to the deep respect each of them has for the other’s opinions. Kate, who sadly passed away earlier this year, was the self-appointed “brains of the operation,” while Don has a long history in purebred dogs having bred champions in multiple breeds. Pat has a keen eye for symmetry and elegance, and Eileen enjoys discussing pedigrees with breeders of various breeds to determine what has worked for them.

Kate got her first English Setter from Eileen. Don’s father bred field English Setters and when Don and Pat decided to get an English Setter for conformation they were directed to Eileen as well. That dog, Ch Chebaco Blames it on Trabiez (Ross), became a two-time national specialty winner, won multiple Bests in Show and Bests of Breed. Ross was a valuable sire and jumpstarted their breeding program.

Together they have bred, owned or handled eight national specialty Best of Breed winners, 138 Best of Breed at English Setter Association of America (ESAA) sanctioned specialties and over 100 Bests in Show.  Each puppy has a chance to grow up at Don and Pat’s home where they learn house manners, are leash broken and introduced to birds.

Don, Pat and Eileen are proud of each puppy whether they are show dogs or couch potatoes, personal gun dogs or field trial dogs, therapy dogs or obedience dogs. Each is loved by their owners, and they get so much joy from receiving updates about the puppy owner’s experiences.

Don, Pat and Eileen feel fortunate to have a former Jr handler, Abigail Van Meter, working with them for the past seven years and feel certain that their Wingfield ‘N Chebaco English Setter legacy will be safe in her hands in the future!

Hound Group: Sarah Murphy, Abbaio Ibizans

Sarah Murphy became involved with the world of dog shows at the age of 11. She began attending shows where she met an Ibizan Hound for the first time and was instantly in love. She brought home her first Ibizan Hound in 2002 and for the last 23 years she has been devoted to her family of dogs and the breed as a whole.

Sarah bred her first litter in 2011, and in the last 14 years she has produced over 100 homebred AKC Champions, 38 Grand Champions (including the only two platinum level), 38 AKC Field Champions (of which 37 are Dual Champions, six LCX with one having an LCX2 and one having an LCX4), as well as many titleholders in various sports such as Agility, Rally and Dock Diving. She is an AKC Breeder of Merit Platinum.

As a breeder-owner-handler, Sarah has piloted her homebred dogs to three National Specialty Best of Breed wins, 18 all-breed Bests in Show, 17 Reserve Bests in Show, more than 100 group firsts, 22 group placing dogs, multiple Bests of Breed at Westminster and the AKC National Championship, and is the only handler to have won Best of Breed for Ibizan Hounds at Morris & Essex (2010, 2015, 2021 and 2025). Additionally, Sarah’s dogs have excelled in Lure Coursing, Agility and Rally.

Sarah strives for a dual-purpose, healthy Ibizan Hound and is proud to have more Ibizan Hounds fully health tested with CHIC numbers than any other program. In 2024, she began working toward a new goal of having the DNA of every dog involved in her breeding program on file with the AKC to uphold the integrity of the pedigrees she has been working so hard to build. Sarah is a member of the parent club, the Ibizan Hound Club of the United States, and as a parent club approved mentor she works hard to share her knowledge with aspiring judges so that they may better understand and appreciate the breed. Sarah is an AKC licensed lure coursing judge and as of 2025 she is approved to judge Ibizan Hounds.

Working Group: Wendy, Randy and Jennifer Corr, Onak Kennels, Alaskan Malamutes

The Corr family’s kennel name, “ONAK,” means “One Of A Kind,” reflecting their belief in the exceptional qualities of their Alaskan Malamutes. They have bred and raised many champions, Best in Show winners, and dogs with performance titles in Obedience (U.D.), Agility (MACHs), Barn Hunt, Therapy Dog, Fast CAT, CGC and Working Pack Dog Excellent (WPDX). They take pride in producing physically sound dogs through genetic screening and remain a constant resource for their puppy buyers.

In addition to breeding, Wendy, Randy and Jennifer are committed to rescue work, helping dogs who have not had the best start in life. They dedicate time to resolving their fears and finding them appropriate, permanent homes.

The Corrs believe Malamutes should excel in their original purpose. They have participated in dryland carting, weight pulling, snow sledding, and backpacking. These experiences allow them to assess their dogs’ conformation and understand how structure influences performance. Temperament is also integral to the breed standard, and backpacking in the wilderness highlights the importance of teamwork, focus, and adaptability. The Corrs consider themselves Preservation Breeders and believe in preserving not just the breed, but the bond that connects humans and their dogs.

Wendy is currently on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Alaskan Malamute Club and has served on the Board of Directors of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America (AMCA). She also is an AKC judge and serves on the Judges Education Committee of the AMCA. 

Terrier Group: Todd and April Clyde, Longvue Airedales

Todd Clyde grew up in a dog show family and attended dog shows regularly as a child. As an adult, he became a professional dog handler specializing in Terriers. April Clyde developed a love for dogs growing up with Poodles as household pets. In her twenties, she acquired her first Airedale Terrier and quickly fell in love with the breed. Soon she became a breeder-owner-handler of Airedales under the kennel name Buckshot. When the Clydes married in 2003, they focused on their mutual passion for Airedale Terriers and established the Longvue breeding program. In 2006, they imported English Champion Saredon Wheels on Fire (“Patsy”), and her litter started the Longvue program. One boy was a clear standout and became English and American Champion Longvue Jackpot “Jax”. It is through Jax that Longvue developed.

From the beginning, the Clydes focused on health, temperament and type. Health testing is performed on all Longvue breeding stock following the guidelines of the Airedale Terrier Club of America (ATCA). The AKC recognized the Clyde’s dedication to excellent breeding practices designating Longvue as Breeders with HEART and AKC Breeders of Merit Silver Level.

The success of the Longvue breeding program has been demonstrated by the more than 50 conformation champions produced or sired by Longvue Airedales. Highlights include multiple Bests in Show, two of which were owner-handled by Todd Clyde, and many Best in Breed and Best of Winners awards. In addition to the United States, Longvue sired Champion Airedales are found worldwide.

The Clydes have always been dedicated to club participation. April has been a member of ATCA since the 1980s and has served the club as President, Vice President and Secretary. Todd is the AKC delegate for Mispillion Kennel Club and April is a past AKC Delegate for California Airedale Terrier Club.

Both April and Todd are very involved in Airedale Terrier Judges Education. They frequently provide tutoring and mentoring to judges who are studying the breed.

Toy Group: Barbara Beissel, Lamplighter

Barbara’s journey into the dog show world began in the mid-1970′s with Dinah, her pet Yorkshire Terrier. Soon her hobby became a career as a professional handler and breeder. Barbara earned her first Best in Show in 1987. Since then, dogs she has owned, bred or handled have gone on to achieve many group wins and number one rankings. Barbara has had more than 200 champions throughout her career.

In 2007, Bendill Silky Terriers and Lamplighter started co-breeding Silky Terriers. Barbara has bred/handled 14 of the #1 Silky Terriers between 2004 to 2019 and is co-breeder on the current

#1 Silky, GCHS Pawibillity’s Tails And Top Hat TKN. Additionally, Barbara is a breeder/owner handler of the only platinum Silky Terrier GCHP Lamplighter’s Tattle Tail.

Barbara hopes her legacy lives on through her breeding program, especially Yorkshire Terriers and her beloved natural-tailed Silky Terriers, and through the wonderful people she has mentored along the way.

Non-Sporting Group: Susan S. Giles, Ta Sen Lhasa Apsos

Susan S. Giles has been a dedicated breeder, owner, and handler of Lhasa Apsos for more than 52 years. She has proudly bred more than 125 champions — nearly all of whom have been breeder-owner-handled. Her dogs have achieved notable success, including: eight National Specialty Best of Breed winners, six different Best in Show winners, numerous Westminster Best of Breed winners, Obedience titles, and Canine Good Citizen, Farm Dog and Trick Dog titles

Susan’s current Lhasa is four years old and has achieved: 22 Best in Show wins, 24 Reserve Best in Show wins, two National Specialty wins and much more. He is also the All-Time Top Winning Lhasa male in AKC history.

She has been a member of the American Lhasa Apso Club for 50 years, having served as President, Vice President, and as a member of the Board of Directors for almost five decades. Additionally, Susan belongs to the Virginia Kennel Club, where she has held multiple leadership roles. She also finds great fulfillment in mentoring the next generation of Lhasa Apso breeders and handlers.

Herding Group: Sylvia & David Calderwood, Kensil Shetland Sheepdogs

Sylvia Calderwood bought her first Shetland Sheepdog in 1964. She began participating in obedience but soon after got started in conformation. Sylvia and David got married in 1988 and began showing together at 125 or more shows a year. As of 2025, they have bred or owned over 160 champions, more than 150 with the Kensil prefix.

Some of the highlights of their time with Shelties include winning Best in Futurity and two Runners Up Futurity with their dogs, as well as Winners Bitch at the National with a client’s dog and many groups and several Bests in Show with client dogs. Sylvia and David have put CH-VCX titles on three of their dogs, for conformation, herding and agility. One of their proudest achievements is that several of their Register of Merit (ROM) titled dogs have helped start other Sheltie breeding programs, in many parts of the world.

Sylvia and David are AKC Platinum Breeders of Merit and both are lifetime members of the Sheltie parent club, the American Shetland Sheepdog Association (ASSA).

Since turning over the Kensil prefix to their daughter Keri Warner, David has continued to judge. He has had the honor of being one of the judges at three different ASSA national shows.

Learn more about the award and past honorees.

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Posted by Liz on Nov 10 2025. Filed under Breaking News, Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.