BY PAT TROTTER
inside sport
from time to time to evaluate breeding stock. Two of her early brood bitches were English imports. Although the Sussex was one of the first 10 breeds recognized by AKC, the breed became an endangered species internationally following World War II. With only seven dogs left to rebuild the breed, English breeders as well as the scattered few in the U.S. interested in the breed had their work cut out for them. Pluis is proud of the current bitch in the Pacific Northwest that is a phenomenal hunting dog and also an outstanding wilderness search and rescue dog, for she and others like her represent the collective success of those Sussex breeders who worked so hard to save the breed we know today. Breed purity is something all breeders seek, and the 2011 Breeder of the Year is no exception. Sound correctly made animals that have the desired form to perform the breed’s function are those that represent that breed purity for her. Although she acknowledges that some poorly-made dogs will outwork their structure because they want to, such compromised dogs are not desired for breeding stock. In essence, those dogs most likely to be steady performers at work are those dogs that find it easiest to work because they are made right. Furthermore, their working lifetime is extended by functional and correct anatomical structure.
PLUIS DAVERN, THE COMPLETE DOG PERSON AND AKC BREEDER OF THE YEAR - 2011
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f ever there were the complete dog person, her name is Pluis Davern. AKC has never made a better decision than to honor Davern at the Eukanuba event in Orlando with the 2011 Breeder of the Year accolades. For Pluis does it all and is arguably the most versatile dog person of our lifetime. A wealth of energy in a petite package, Pluis is a breeder, exhibitor, former professional handler, conformation and field judge, breed mentor, obedience trainer, field trial trainer, search and rescue expert and participates herself in ALL these activities with a variety of dogs-many of them her homebred Sundowner Sussex Spaniels! No wonder AKC chose her as a breeder who has dedicated her life to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs. As acknowledged by AKC Chairman of the Board Ron Menaker at the presentation, breeders such as Pluis truly are “the backbone of the sport and the foundation of our organization.”
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Pluis started in Golden Retrievers in 1964 and soon became involved in hunting and field work, obedience and the show ring with her dual purpose dogs. In time she downsized to the Sussex and help put the breed on the map it its more obscure days in U.S. show rings-winning the breed’s first American BIS-a victory her fellow Monterey Peninsula fanciers enjoyed at the world famous Del Monte Kennel Club Show when it was held on the beautiful lawns of The Lodge at Pebble Beach. She then piloted the all breed winner Ch. The Vicar of Lexxfield CD to the breed’s first group placement at Westminster. In 2009 his descendent Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee was Best in Show at Westminster. Ch. Sandcreek’s Up To Snuff CDX also became a BIS winner as well as a senior hunting titleholder, the first Sussex to score such honors. One of his BIS progeny not only excelled in the field as well as the bench but became an agility star as well. Vicar, Snuffy and Blaze Ch. Sundowners Heat Wave) were all three significant sires, all breed BIS winners and National Specialty winners. As a breeder Pluis concentrates on getting her dogs into homes where owners will participate in such activities and encourages newcomers to start with rally, which often leads to more involvement in the sport. She firmly believes it bonds the owners and the dogs and that a busy dog is a happy dog. One of the attractions of the Sussex for Pluis is that wagging, merry spaniel tail action while the front end sports the sad and somberlooking characteristic head of the breed. Pluis’ dedication to the breed takes her to England
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hen AKC picked Pluis to lead its field trial demonstrations and educational experiences at the first Advanced Sporting Dog Institute held in San Jose, CA in 1998, judge attendees were overwhelmed by her expertise in these areas and her ability to make all feel more prepared to proceed in their endeavors. Her gifts as a teacher matched her talents as a field trainer, and her participation in the second such program a few years later acted as a magnet for sporting students. For years world class sporting dog experts have applauded her contributions acknowledging the importance of performance relating to the original job description of the breeds. Not only is Pluis a master breeder, she is also a master teacher. As a judge she prizes those dogs whose silhouettes project their breed. “If colored black and displayed against a white background, you would know that breed,” she says. In addition to this proper outline, Pluis highly prizes correct color and muzzle in a correct Sussex as well as good functional running gear. She is justly proud of judging the Sussex Spaniel Club of America’s National Specialty twice. In addition to the correct silhouette and structure, good field dogs should have intensity and drive and above all-want to do it! The role of the conformation judge is to determine which dogs signal all those qualities indicating that they could do the job the breed was bred to do. Such dogs are the total package combining type (the form that emerged to best enable the individual’s job) and soundness (functionality allow the execution of such a job) when they appear in the ring. As the 2011 AKC Breeder of the Year recipient, Pluis Davern will be honored with a commission from a canine portraitist to memorialize a prominent dog from her kennel and her name will be inscribed on a perpetual trophy. They will remain on permanent display at the AKC headquarters in New York City. The Breeder of the Year ceremony will be included in the show’s telecast on ABC Network Television on Saturday, February 4, 2012. Check local listings for air times.