Congratulations to:

American Kennel Club Breeder of the Year, Working Group
Lynn Brady and Connie Townsend, Szumeria Kuvasz

Lynn and Connie’s journey began with their first Kuvasz in 1990 and expanded in 1991 when they joined the Kuvasz Club of America. They have remained active in the KCA, serving in many leadership roles.

The lessons of talented mentors helped shape their breeding principles, which focus on temperament and quality. Health considerations are always in the forefront, reflected in multiple OFA Champions of Health awards.

Szumeria has achieved an impressive record, including over 45 BIS, 36* earned by GCh. Szumeria’s Wildwood Silver SixPence, and over 125 AKC champions and multiple Hall of Fame sires and dams. Three times they have owned and/or bred the top-winning Kuvasz in breed history.

Szumeria has won the KCA national specialty 13 times out of 20 nationals, with multiple BOS, BOW, WD, WB, AOM and HIT wins. They also have multiple BOBs at AKC/Eukanuba National Championships and multiple BOBs and group placements at Westminster. Their dogs have advanced titles in rally, obedience, and agility, competing in conformation, obedience, agility, rally, and tracking, and have won top Kuvasz of the Year in Versatility, seven times.

Lynn and Connie thank the wonderful people who have shared their wisdom, helping them become students of dogs. They continue their remarkable Kuvasz journey, dedicating themselves to learning and sharing.

*Note: As of late December 2012, GCh. Szumeria’s Wildwood Silver SixPence (Tanner) has won 50 Best in Shows (BIS)!

American Kennel Club ACE Award, 2012 Service Dog
Pilot (Mauna Kea's Time to Fly), co-bred by Sue Riippa and Karen Barnes  and owned by Ann Scott Arnold

AKC Press Release:
Service Dog: "Pilot," a Kuvasz owned by Ann Scott Arnold of Frankfort, MI

Ann Scott Arnold sustained neck and shoulder injuries that have rendered her incapable of lifting or carrying anything weighing much more than five pounds, and she suffers from chronic pain and dizziness. Pilot, one of the very few known service dogs of his breed, enhances Arnold's life by performing many tasks as her "mobility assistance dog." He can carry a 15-pound load in his backpack. He pulls a shopping cart full of groceries and can drag a hundred pounds of gardening supplies on a plastic sled. He even pulls the laundry up the basement stairs in a duffel bag. And Pilot is a steady companion who can be leaned on, literally, when Arnold feels dizzy.

Read more about Pilot: http://www.akc.org/news/ace/2012/honorees.cfm#service.