New York, NY - Wendell Sammet, a veteran of more than a half century in the sport of purebred dogs, is the winner of The American Kennel Club's Breeder of the Year Award.

This award, sponsored by Advantage® flea control, is the first of what is to become an annual AKC program. The presentation was made at the AKC/Eukanuba National Invitational Championship in Orlando, FL on December 11, 2002 and will be included in the television coverage of the event shown on Animal Planet on January 25, 2003.

Sammet, 77, of Bryantville, MA, began training Dalmatians in obedience as a teenager, and subsequently bred and finished many champions. But he eventually found himself in the breed in which he has truly made his mark - Poodles, establishing a breeding program that produced many champions under the Ale Kai banner.

"Wendell Sammet has dedicated his life to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs," said AKC Chairman Ron Menaker. "While he has won more than his share of blue ribbons and trophies, Wendell has consistently shown that our sport is about much more than that. He is the ultimate embodiment of a responsible breeder."

A veteran of World War II, Wendell fought in the Battle of the Bulge and served as a POW for six months. When he returned home from military duty, he got involved in breeding and showing dogs, creating a lifetime commitment to the sport. Through the years, he has always found time to serve as a mentor for newcomers, as well as an advisor to his peers in both the Poodle Club of America and the Dalmatian Club of America.

A work of art will be commissioned to memorialize a cherished dog from Sammet's Ale Kai Kennel, and a beautiful trophy will be inscribed with his name and placed on display at AKC Headquarters.

The other Group Winners, with a combined history of more than two centuries in the sport of dogs, also included:

· SPORTING: Melissa D. Newman, English Setters, Setter Ridge Kennel, Clinton, Washington.
· HOUND: Damara Bolte´, Basenjis, Reveille Kennel, Leesburg, Virginia.
· WORKING: Peggy & Dave Helming, Newfoundlands, Pouch Cove Kennel, Flemington, New Jersey.
· TERRIER: Barbara Miller, Norfolk Terriers, Max-Well Kennel, Glen Head, New York.
· TOY: Linda George, Chihuahuas, Ouachitah Kennel, Waukesha, Wisconsin.
· HERDING: Janina Laurin, Belgian Tervurens, Chateau Blanc Kennel, Danbury, Connecticut.

###

The AKC, founded in 1884, is one of the oldest sports-governing organizations. It maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world, is responsible for overseeing the governance of the sport of purebred dogs, and keeps records of competitive results. For further information about AKC and the sport of purebred dogs, visit AKC Online at www.akc.org or contact the Communications Department at 212-696-8343.

Bayer Corporation's Animal Health Division, the maker of AdvantageÒ (imidacloprid) Topical Solution, is a worldwide leader in parasite control and prescription pharmaceuticals for dogs, cats, horses, cattle and poultry. The North American operations for the Animal Health Division are headquartered in Shawnee Mission, Kansas.