Without a doubt, Julia Gasow is a name synonymous with English Springer Spaniels and one of the most influential breeding programs in AKC history. Her kennel, Salilyn (named for her daughters Sally and Linda) lives on the record books and the pedigrees of today’s Springers. She lived a long life, passing away at age 94 in 1999.

A breeder for 63 years, her breeding program was involved in five of the six English Springer Spaniels winning the coveted Westminster Kennel Club Best of in Show Trophy,

  • In 1993, Her Ch. Salilyn Condor (“Robert”) won Westminster handled by Mark Threlfall.
  • Robert’s daughter, Ch. Salilyn ‘N Erin’s Shameless (“Samantha”), owned by Carl Blaine, Fran Sunseri, and Julia Gasow  and handled by ESSFTA member Kellie FitzGerald, won Westminster in 2000. It was the first time that a Westminster winner, Robert, produced an offspring, Samantha, that also won Westminster.
  • Ch. Salilyn’s Aristocrat (“Risto”) is still the top-producing sire of all time, in all breeds, with 188 champion offspring out of 92 dams all without the use of frozen semen. Aristocrat’s son, Ch. Chinoe’s Adamant James, was the last dog to win successive Westminster Best in Shows, in 1971 and 1972.
  • Another Aristocrat descendant, Ch. Felicity’s Diamond Jim (James), was Best in Show winner at Westminster in 2007, also handled by ESSFTA member Kellie FitzGerald. James was sired by another famous Aristocrat son, Ch. Telltale Author who produced 84 champions.

Julia Gasow was the first female delegate to the American Kennel Club, representing the English Springer Spaniel Club of Michigan. She was the president of the Detroit Kennel Club. She literally “wrote the book” about her breed—The New Complete English Springer Spaniel was published by Howell in 1984 and was followed by two updated editions. Three years later, she was the first inductee to the Quaker Oaks Ken-L Ration (now Pro-Plan) Hall of Fame. She won many other awards, and qualified as an AKC judge.

The Salilyn Challenge Trophy, awarded to the breeder of the English Springer Spaniel chosen Best of Breed at the ESSFTA National Bench Specialty, was first awarded by Julia. Kellie Fitzgerald, longtime handler for Julia, continues to offer a Rosette for this award in remembrance of her friend and mentor.

In the January 2022 issue of the Canine Chronicle, Elliot Weiss, recalled, “I was just a kid, I was in awe of her”—“she was a brilliant breeder—one of the best of the century.” Twenty-five years later, Weiss left handling, became a judge and now has become one of the most esteemed AKC Best in Show judges.

Julia will always be remembered for her impressive accomplishments throughout the English Springer and AKC worlds. As her friends remember her, “Julia Gasow represented the kind of “doger” (her word) who is hard to find today.” Her legacy will live on for centuries to come.

Excerpts from this article were taken from the January 2022 issue of the Canine Chronicle and on the April 2021 AKC website news.