Pat Cruz – Memories Of Another Era

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98 – May, 2025

By Amy Fernandez

Contrary to pervasive media portrayals, the reality of this sport is there are endless demands and trade-offs–because 99 percent of the participants have substantial commitments to jobs and families. Simply finding the time, energy, and money to pursue this game adds one more demand to a very long list. Yet, we find a way. That’s basically the life story of Pat Cruz. She’s also a pretty good example of making your own luck.

Here on the East Coast, Pat ranks as a local legend. She’s been part of the Long Island dog scene for decades as a breeder, a handler, a judge, and as an AKC board member. More than any of that, she’s right here. And as she puts it, “With me, what you see is what you get.” If you’ve met her, you know this. Candid and approachable, Pat knows dogs inside and out, and she definitely has some great stories.

“My grandmother and my sister had some Poodles and my sister couldn’t keep them, so I took them and raised litter. This was about 1964. We were living in Jericho at the time and I started working part-time for a groomer. My aunt and uncle also showed Boxers. Both Poodles and Boxers were rocketing up the AKC charts in the 1960s. There was serious competition in the ring and Working breeds, Boxers especially, represented the pinnacle of competition throughout the 1950s and ‘60s. The sport gave us iconic winners like Ch. Flintwood’s Rabble Rouser, Ch. Salgray’s Fashion Plate, and Ch. Barrage of Quality Hill who is often cited as the Boxer that started this winning streak. A Bang Away son, he also sired Fashion Plate for Phyllis Hamilburg’s Salgray kennel. These dogs literally redefined Boxer type. Poodle kennels like Alekai, Cappoquin, and Bel Tor flooded the ring with top winners. The breathtaking Alekai Marlaine picked up four BIS in 1966. Bel Tor Come Hither, handled by Frank Sabella, took three BIS in ‘65. That year Alekai Pokoi topped the Non-Sporting Group. She had ranked second the previous year.

Click here to read the complete article
98 – May, 2025

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Posted by AnthonyA on May 11 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.