THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB 2023 BREEDER OF THE YEAR GROUP HONOREES ANNOUNCED
Sporting Winner – Dorothy “Dottie” Cherry

By Jesse Gardner
Published: Nov 27, 2023 /Excerpt

THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB 2023 BREEDER OF THE YEAR GROUP HONOREES ANNOUNCED – American Kennel Club

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2023 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees.

“We are proud to honor these knowledgeable and responsible breeders,” said Dennis B. Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “Each of these individuals are well-respected and have made significant contributions to the betterment of their breed. Dogs bearing the honorees’ kennel names are a testament to their excellent breeding programs.”

The 2023 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 16, 2023.

A canine portraitist 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: Dorothy Cherry, Cerise Kennel English Springer Spaniels

Dorothy Cherry put her first English Springer Spaniel in the ring in 1998, and that dog became the first Cerise Champion. She was joined by Kathy Kirk in 2009, and they devoted themselves to breeding English Springer Spaniels as healthy as they are beautiful. Without Kathy, the Cerise dogs as we know them would not be possible.

Cerise has received the highest award given each year by the English Springer Spaniel National Breed Club, Show Springer and Show Dog or Bitch of the year on seven dogs or bitches for a total of 13 times.
Ch. Cerise Jesse James won the National Specialty twice – in 2010 and 2012 – and was Cerise’s first multiple Best in Show winner.

Am/Can Ch. Cerise Tender Is The Night “Zelda” was winner of 17 All Breed Bests in Show and 96 Group Firsts. She was the Number Two Sporting Dog and Number One Sporting Bitch at the peak of her career. She was dam of 23 champions.

Am GCh Can Ch. Cerise Blindside “Timmy” was winner of 55 Best in Shows and 227 Group Firsts. He ended his last year as the Number Four dog amongst All Breeds.

In addition to their great success in the US, they have bred multiple BIS Springers in Japan and Australia. They have bred many Springers that not only excel in conformation, but also have become therapy dogs and hold titles in many performance and field events.

This history of Cerise Kennel is the result of the talent and devotion of Howard Huber to Cerise, and to the English Springer Spaniel Breed.