Fri, 01/16/2026 - 11:42am
Question of the Week
If you could save just one trophy or ribbon, what would it be? Part I
Nancy Bosley
Sandy Hook, CT
The one ribbon I have and will keep always is the Working Group 1 from the 2010 Westminster Kennel Club Show. The exhibit was the lovely Doberman bitch Ch. Allure Blazing Star brilliantly presented by Carissa DeMilta Shimpeno.
Meredith Moore
Chelmsford, MA
One ribbon I would keep would be for my current show dog, Newfoundland, Storm, his Newfoundland Club of America 2025 National Specialty win under Judge Patricia Trotter. His first National Specialty attended and only at 2 yrs old! It launched his show career. This ribbon by Cyndi Steiner is also GORGEOUS!
Richard L. Reynolds
Tenafly, NJ
Without a doubt, the old original silver Tiffany, best of breed medallions from Westminster. I won my first in 1969 and of course still have it.
Sue Lackey
Washington DC
Best of Breed Rosette from winning the Greyhound National Specialty from the Bred-By class under Frank Sabella
Mareth Kipp
North Prairie, WI
I have saved the Winged Victory I won almost 60 years ago at what was called Turtle Creek KC. AKC wouldn’t go along with that name, so that club became Janesville-Beloit KC in Wisconsin. I have purged many trophies and ribbons over the years, but that one is a keeper. There have been more valuable, larger entries, specialty shows, etc. but that Winged Victory trophy is here to stay. BTW, we used to refer to those trophies as starched armpits.
Linda Tilka
Madeira Beach, FL
The ribbon I would keep would be the Best of Breed ribbon at The Poodle Club of America National that I have not won yet.
Barbara Burns
Freeport, IL
I received a bronze piece made by Bob Winship of a mother goose with her wings out protecting her young when my Gordon Setter Bitch won BOS in Sweeps at the Gordon Setter Specialty in Minnesota. It is a one of kind piece donated and commissioned by Babs (Barbara) Coach. Trophies at these specialties were always unique and very much coveted by exhibitors. I am so lucky to have earned this trophy.
Maria Elena Pereira
North Port, FL
Best of Breed at the National Specialty. To win with a dog that you’ve bred is the honor of a lifetime.
Robert Lachman
Norwalk, CT
The ribbon I have saved is for a Best in Show won at Lewiston Auburn Kennel Club. You could not wipe the smile off my face for two days.
Barbara Miller
Old Brookville, NY
There isn’t just one ribbon saved as I’m grateful for all. Each ribbon any of my dogs received from an AKC judge I deem as important I frame and hang in my kennel. The Westminster terrier Group ribbons are obviously my favorites as is Montgomery County. I have all “important” winning photos framed as well and hang them inside the house in my puppy room. Today’s ribbons are impossible to frame due to the enormous length of the ribbon. I’m old fashioned and prefer what I call “normal” ribbons. As for trophies a medallion from Westminster is always prized.
Cliff Schultz and Joanne Orth
Phoenixville, PA
At the 2006 Montgomery County Kennel Club show, two of our home-bred, owner-handled champion Scottish Terriers won Best Brace in Show. That rosette, along with the win photo and ringside photos are mounted in a shadow box frame and hanging on a wall in our home. Those dogs have passed, but the memory of their accomplishment brings a smile every time we remember that day!
Jennifer Johnson
Newark, DE
My first best in show rosette.
Anna Strömberg
Brooksville, FL
I recently won the breeders showcase in Doswell, Virginia under none other than Damra Bolte. I watched the judging that night and was blown away with the depth of quality that was presented.
Whether my two homebred Bostons are the best ones of all of them or not that is subjective of course but the honor of being pointed at with the years, experience, blood, sweat and tears that has gone into them was overwhelming.
Vicki DeGruy
Breaux Bridge, LA
That's a hard one because they're all precious to me and I wouldn't want to give up any of them. If only one, than Neo's Group Third rosette from Westminster 2019.
Randy Garren
Apex, NC
The Westminster BIS Silver Revere Bowl
Stacey Borrmann
Gilroy, CA
Nik’s 100th BIS rosette
Bryan Martin
Milwaukie, OR
I have in my man cave the Best in Show rosette from the Owensboro River City KC, held in Lexington KY, 1998 where Ch Deer Hill's Great Gatsby (Basset Hound) broke the all time Best in Show record, 30 at the time, held by Ch Slippery Hill Hudson, owned by Mrs Isabel Robson and handled by my mentor, Bobby Barlow. Gatsby went on to win a total of 52 BIS!
My favorite trophy is the BIS Revere Bowl from the Chicago International KC, 1995, won by Ch Fort Merrill Lipz Stix (another Basset Hound), owned by Mrs Joan Urban
Bobby Hutton
Louisville, KY
My “Childrens Handling Class” trophy from 1962 at the Steel City KC. As well as a small plaque I won for my first “Childrens Handling Class” win in 1960 at the Kalamazoo KC.
Gerry Meisels
Tampa, FL
The BIS at an all-breed show won by my then 8 year old daughter with a Westie.
We now live in Tampa, the BIS was won in 1970 while we lived in Houston.
Lauren Haskin
San Diego, CA
It would be the first green qualifying ribbon I got for beginning obedience back in the 1970's. It prompted me to eventually become an AKC instructor and evaluator. Every person who graduated from one of my beginning obedience classes thrilled me! I knew they would spread the word and be an example to their dog owning friends, encouraging more people to train their pet. I'm a firm believer that the dogs that make it through a beginning class are much less likely to end up in "the pound" (as it was called back them). At that time I owned a grooming school and my students' 'final' was to go to the "pound" with me and spend several hours grooming dogs there, in the hope that this would make them more appealing for adoption. It worked!!
Allison Alexander
Sidney-by-the-sea BC, Canada
Oh, what I wouldn’t give to still have that Best in Show ribbon from the Detroit Kennel Club with the poodle Lutin! That win holds such a special place in my heart. Julia Gasow was the trophy presenter, the win was under Ruth Cooper, and at the time it felt absolutely monumental — though truthfully, it would be an honour at any stage of one’s career. Kelly was also a trophy presenter, which made the moment even more memorable. Even now, just thinking about it brings a huge smile to my face — I’m still completely thrilled by that memory!
Stacy Sims
New Virginia, IA
Anything made by Carol Rappaport, RAVE RIBBONS!
There is so much love and compassion that is put into each and every rosette she makes! It not a Job for Carol it’s a passion and I love that in her!!
Heidi Cole
Houston, TX
I would have to say it’s a tie between my Group One Trophy won at The World Show many years ago in Mexico and the Rechler Trophy awarded to the Afghan Hound Best of Breed at the Garden. Both were won by my beautiful Afghan Hound BIS Ch. Elmos Men are From Mars. I truly cherish them both.
Janet York
New York, NY
My first BIS ribbon in AKC.
May 30th Langley KC
Dog: CORNEEL bred by Hans Boelaars and owned and showed by me!
Judge: Arlene Czech
Bobbie Wood
Cranford, NJ
I think my most cherished ribbons are my National Specialty Breed (2) and High in Trial (7) ribbons. Especially since my Lhasa Apso, Ch. Anbara Alasara Smart Aleck, CDX, RE, CGCA is the only Lhasa in the history of the breed to have won both the Breed (1) and High in Trial(2). I am very proud of that accomplishment.
Steven Herman
Wesley Chapel, FL
The rosette for winning the German Wirehaired Pointer National is most significant for me.
Chris Chapman
Primos, PA
Well, it's the one trophy I "DID" save when my house collapsed back in 2014. It's the Stud Dog trophy that was awarded to my heart dog, CH Briarwood's Obsidian of Vale Vue, CGC, RA at the SDCA National Specialty. He was accompanied by his sons, CH. Lehigh Dunedain of Grey Morn and Lehigh Damon of Grey Morn (who was WD that day). The trophy is a ceramic bowl done by High Horse Farm custom pottery. (photo below)
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Fri, 01/16/2026 - 11:42am