A Legacy Of Leadership & Devotion – An Icon

submitted by Toni Hyland on behalf of the Mastiff Club of America

ICON defined: “a person widely admired especially for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere”

1998 – PHA Handler of the Year

2003 – AKC Hound Breeder of the Year

2008 –AKC Lifetime Achievement Award

2011 – MCOA Brill Award Recipient

2013 – AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award

There is no one in the dog world who, as a whole, is more iconic than Damara Bolte who is completing her 95^th trip around the sun this September.

A person’s legacy is the sum of the values, accomplishments and actions that resonate with the people around them.  A lasting legacy is the positive impact one’s life has on other people.   Why is a person’s legacy important?  It can serve as an example for future generations, preserving memories and teaching valuable life lessons….i.e. the groundwork of becoming an icon.

And you ask—why prattle on about legacy……because the person being honored in this article is, in the writer’s humble opinion, the finest example of what each of us should strive for when standing for our breed.    Damara Bolte has been representing the Mastiff for 70 years.  She is the epitome of ethics, integrity, honesty, and modest about her myriad of accomplishments …. plus she has a wicked sense of humor and likes a tipple or two of a good red wine. For those of us that have had the privilege of meeting Damara, any time spent with her listening and learning the finer points of the mastiff was priceless. Damara has an eye for a dog and will quietly point out the fine points of the dog in question to any exhibitor….new or experienced.

Damara is lifelong world traveler as her father was a 4 star general causing the family to move frequently.  She is a graduate from Purdue University holding a degree in Animal Husbandry; a world renowned bronze artist, having studied sculpture in Paris; and a retiree from the Institutes of Health after 33 years as a supervisory Animal Scientist.  Some of Damara’s bronze pieces are on display in the AKC Museum of the Dog.

Her Mastiff adventure began in 1956 shortly after her father’s retirement when the family acquired their first mastiff.  Damara acquired her 2^nd mastiff from Marie Moore, finished her, bred her and started her Reveille line.  Her longevity in the dog show world is also example by her handler number – 3.

Some of her Mastiff accomplishments include:

            Notable Reveille wins

• 1965 MCOA National Specialty WD - CH Reveille Defender
• 2 Time MCOA National Specialty BISS winner 1967 & 68 – CH Reveille Juggernaut
• 1971 MCOA National Specialty BISS winner – CH Reveille Defender
• 3 Time MCOA National Specialty BISS winner 1974,75 & 76 – CH Reveille Big Thunder

            Other Notable wins are handling MCOA Best in Specialty Show winners

• 1981 CH Deer Run Zen
• 1993 Am/Can CH Matts Joshua Dogwood Knoll

 Damara’s drawing of a mastiff is shown on our standard pocket card; she is a highly regarded board approved mentor; designed and donated the bronze 1^st place Bred by Exhibitor medallions.

This list doesn’t even begin to list her accolades and accomplishments in the international Basenji world.

Many happy returns – Damara – beloved friend, mentor and icon!

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Posted by Liz on Sep 28 2026. Filed under Current Articles, Dog Show History, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.