The VCA Dog of the Year award is a prestigious honor bestowed upon the most outstanding dog in each of six categories: top open gun dog, amateur gun dog, conformation dog, obedience dog, rally dog, and agility dog. To be eligible for the award, a dog must meet the following criteria:

  • Ownership: One person must be both the owner of the dog and a VCA member in good standing by January 1 of the eligible year.

The winner of each category is bestowed VCA Dog of the Year, which is presented at the annual awards banquet at the National Specialty Events. This award recognizes the exceptional talent and dedication of both the dog and its owner.

Conformation

YearPhotoDogOwner(s)
2025GCHG CH Willorunn’s Revvin’ The Beamer Full ThrottleRachel Kelly, Ania Kelly, Martina Bickley, Gay Franckowiak
2024GCHG CH Koppertone’s Chicks Dream About MeStacie Ryan, Mark Goodwein, Katelyn Ford
2023GCHP CH Pursuit’s Trek To The Triple Crown JH CGCGail Fleming
2022GCHP CH Sierra Ridge Born To Love You JHElena Moore & Jannie Humphrey
2021GCHG CH Grouse Point Rimfire BenchrestDeborah Lynn & Corinne Miklos
2020MRBIS NBISS GCHP CH Tradewind's Ida Bomb JH CA CGC TKIMartina & Fred Bickley, Ida Kavafian
2019MRBIS NBISS GCHP CH Tradewind’s Ida Bomb JH CAMartina and Fred Bickley, Ida Kavafian & Lindsay Fetters
2018GCHG CH Golden Empire’s Double Action Remington JH CGC TKISarah Johnson, Melody Daggs, Robert Johnson & Michelle Coburn
2017BIS BIGSS 17xBISS GCHP / CAN. BISS GCH Heelmark's Roop Tera Mastana SH CA RATN CGCRitu Mihir, Daniel Zilka, Ruth Sinclair-Stephens, Graeme Burdon
2016Int'l/Intct'l/MBISS GCH Szizlin Rhapsody Never Say Never JH CA DNMichelle S. Porfido & Carol Phelps
2015RBIS BISS Gold GCH Solaris Smokin' Hot HabaneraAndrea and David Martin and Beth Kirven
2014BIS MBISS GCH AM/CAN/Int CH Jaybren's Irish StarJames & Jill Brennan
2013GCH Regal Point Pinnacle of Kilauea, JHDeborah Verret, Sandra Middlebrooks, Susan Rushing & Debbie Sullivan
2012GCH Regal Point Pinnacle of Kilauea JHDeborah Verret, Sandra Middlebrooks, Susan Rushing & Debbie Sullivan
2011MBIS MBISS GCH Artisan Grouse Point Pink Panther JHCorinne Miklos, Sue Lonabaugh
2010GCH CH Renaissance Girls Gone WildGeorge & Linda Durham
2009Ch Renaissance Girls Gone WildGeorge & Linda Durham
2008Ch Koppertone Classical MinuetLyons, Goodwein, Stanky, Lambie
2007Multi Ch Renaissance Lord Of Th' Dance SHLinda & George Durham and Cathy Kottmeier
2006Multi Ch Renaissance Lord Of Th' Dance SHLinda & George Durham and Cathy Kottmeier
2005Ch Elgins Cariad AnastaziaMeg & Mike Farmer and Ed Foster
2004Grousept Semprfi VorosakapinkJoan & Mark Toepke
2003Ch Opus One Lady Sang The BluesIda Kavafian & Steve Tenenbom
2002Am/Can Ch Bowcot Pekogait One Man Band MHKim & Saul Himmelfarb
2001Am/Can Ch Bowcot Pekogait One Man Band MHKim & Saul Himmelfarb
2000Ch Jneks King Ralph JHKathy & Jeff Englesman
1999Am/Can Ch Penlee's Leader Of The Band JHKim & Saul Himmelfarb
1998Am/Can Ch Penlee's Leader Of The Band JHKim & Saul Himmelfarb
1997Am/Can Ch Penlee's Leader Of The Band JHKim & Saul Himmelfarb

Gun Dog (Open)

YearPhotoDogOwner(s)
2025FC RFC Firestorm Hot DiggityPatrick Clark and Cristine Currie
2024NFC DC GFC RFC AFC Southwind's Testing The LimitsChristi Uhrig
2023GFC DC RFC AFC Vezeto’s Alpine RedemptionJessica Mackey LaLonde
2022NFC FC AFC Southwind Locked N Loaded VK’s KimberRobyn & Sherwin Van Kooten
2021NGDC NAFC DC AFC Southwind's Citori LighteningRobyn & Sherwin Van Kooten
2020NFC FC AFC Southwind Locked N Loaded VK's KimberRobyn & Sherwin Van Kooten
2019FC CK Post Route Scout James Gingrich
2018NWGDC GFC FC AFC VK’s Twenty Gauge GunnarRobyn & Sherwyn Van Kooten
2017Mehagian's Keystone Brother DavidJulia Bonar and Marge Mehagian
2016FC Tibercreeks Billy The KidMark Calder
2015NAFC DC NGDC AFC Jb's Asker Bout Birds MHJoanne Beckley
2014DC NGDC AFC Jb's Asker Bout Birds MHJoanne Beckley
2013NGDC DC AFC JB's Asker Bout BirdsJoanne Beckley
2012FC AFC Kick Em Up BulletJarrett & Allison Bell
2011DC AFC JB's Asker Bout BirdsBeckley, Joanne (Jody)
2010DC AFC Drycreek's Tommy By TommyN Colwell, R Studer, K Boyd
2009DC AFC Bitteroot Semper Fi CutterClint and Valerie Sails
2008FC AFC Upwind Shenipsit RebelPatrick Cooke
2007Berry's Taking ChancesMichael and Carrie Syczylo
2006FC AFC Semper Fi Colonel's PrideDave Pomfret
2005FC AFC Semper Fi Colonel's PrideDave Pomfret
2004DC AFC Onpoints Tuff StuffJohn Reid
2003DC AFC Onpoints Tuff StuffJohn Reid
2002FC AFC Strider's TNG JHW Berner
2001NAFC FC AFC Desert Storms DesiraeBarry and Lynn Peterson
2000NFC FC AFC Semper Fis Master TracerKevin and Teri Arber
19992XNAFC FC AFC Semper Fi Gust O WindAl Lucas and Tom Digney
19982XNAFC FC AFC Semper Fi Gust O WindAl Lucas and Tom Digney
19972XNAFC FC AFC Semper Fi Gust O WindAl Lucas and Tom Digney

Gun Dog (Amateur)

YearPhotoDogOwner(s)
2025GCH DC AFC Kizmar Calibre Elite Cutterzoos Diamond In The Ruff CD MH32 MHA SWN SHDN RATN CGCA CGCU TKA FTN VC ROMRobin Cutter and Jamie Walton
2024FC AFC Chip's Oberon, Master Of The Green Woods MH JHR FDC CA BCAT SIN SEN SBN SHDN CGC TKA VSWE FITG FTINick Sohrakoff Jr. & Kristine Sohrakoff
2023DC AFC RAFC Southwind’s Believe It Or NotPegi Zelneronok
2022FC AFC Vista Make It BurnPatrick Clark & Cristine Currie
2021FC AFC Sawmill's Already GoneGregg Ritchings
2020NFC FC AFC Southwind Locked N Loaded VK's KimberRobyn & Sherwin Van Kooten
2019FC AFC Sawmill’s Already GoneGregg Ritchings
2018FC AFC Sawmills Already GoneGregg Ritchings
2017DC AFC Dynata's Bound To Be Shooting For It AllLaurie Fairchild
2016DC AFC Bitteroot's Mythical Phoenix MHBrian Keith Adams
2015NAFC DC NGDC AFC Jb's Asker Bout Birds MHJoanne Beckley
2014DC NGDC AFC Jb's Asker Bout Birds MHJoanne Beckley
2013DC AFC RSH CRK Smpr Fi Marine Raider Al LucasTerri Lucas
2012FC AFC Sawmills Wild HuckelberryGregg & Ina Ritchings
2011FC AFC Sawmills Wild HuckelberryGregg & Ina Ritchings
2010FC AFC Sawmills Wild HuckelberryGregg & Ina Ritchings
2009DC AFC Bitteroot Semper Fi CutterClint and Valerie Sails
2008DC AFC Bitteroot Semper Fi CutterClint and Valerie Sails
2007FC AFC Semper Fi Colonel's PrideDave Pomfret
2006FC AFC Semper Fi Colonel's PrideDave Pomfret
2005FC AFC Semper Fi Colonel's PrideDave Pomfret
2004NAFC NGDCX2 FC AFC Bitteroot Semper Fi EniwetokAl and Terry Lucas
2003FC AFC Jumping Jack Flash IIMark Sullivan
2002FC AFC Piper's Sippican Oliver TwistLucille Jardin
2001NAFC FC AFC Desert Storms DesiraeBarry and Lynn Peterson
2000FC AFC Piper's Sippican Oliver TwistLucille Jardin
19992XNAFC FC AFC Semper Fi Gust O WindAl Lucas and Tom Digney
19982XNAFC FC AFC Semper Fi Gust O WindAl Lucas and Tom Digney
19972XNAFC FC AFC Semper Fi Gust O WindAl Lucas and Tom Digney

Agility

YearPhotoDogOwner(s)
2025MACH5 Kizmar From The Frying Pan Into The Fire JH MXG2 MJC2 XF SWD SWMCarol Keller, Kathy Rust
2024MACH3 Kizmar From The Frying Pan Into The Fire JH MXC MJB2 XF SWE SCM SIM SEMCarol Keller, Kathy Rust
2023AGCH MACH12 Egan MXS4 PDS MJG4 PJD MFC TQX T2B6Ellen Blau
2022MACH2 Panacea’s Crazy Not To Have An Alibi RM2 RAE TD JH MXG MJB2 MFG TQX T2B5 ACT2 SWN SIA SEA DJ TKP CD-VDebby Wheeler
2021MACH7 Egan MXB3 PAD MJB3 PJD MFS TQX T2B6Ellen Blau
2020CH MACH3 Kizmar Shredding The Gnar CD RA JH MXB2 PAD MJB2 PJD MXF T2B4Carol Keller & Kathy Rust
2019MACH4 Szizlin Fenwick’s Shooting Star MXC MJC OF T2B CGC TKNDenise Cormier
2018CH MACH Kizmar Shredding the Gnar RN JH MXS PAD MJG PJD MXF T2B3Carol Keller & Kathy Rust
2017CH MACH13 Calibre's Madame Pico Curie RE JH MXB4 PAD MJS4 PJD MFG TQX T2B6D Hambrick, T Ciluffo
2016CH MACH7 Calibre's Madame Pico Curie RE JH MXG2 MJC2 MXF MFB TQX T2B5D Hambrick, T Ciluffo
2015CH MACH7 Calibre's Madame Pico Curie RE JH MXG2 MJC2 MXF MFB TQX T2B5D Hambrick, T Ciluffo
2014MACH9 Abbie CDX JH MXS3 MJG4 MXFR Kiefer/D Doll-Kiefer
2013GCH CH MACH6 Russet Leather Wild Aszu CDX RE JH MXS2 MJC2 MXF T2B3Jamie Walton & Beverley Wanjon
2012MACH4 Abbie CDX JH MXB2 MJC2 MXFR Kiefer/D Doll-Kiefer
2011MACH2 Newt Rippley Reno CD OFJames Reno & Jenny Fehlhaber
2010MACH2 Newt Rippley Reno CD OFJ Reno & J Fehlhaber
2009CH MACH Jnek's Royal Legacy RA JHTamara & Michael Sparks & Kathy Engelsman
2008MACH Rivercity's Razzle-Dazzle 'Em RA MXFPaul & Ivan Klein
2007MACH Rivercity's Razzle-Dazzle 'Em RA MX MXJ XFPaul & Ivan Klein
2006CH MACH Serendipity's Paprika CDX, AXP, AJPJoan & Allen Holth
2005Onpoint's Tuff Guy MX, MXJJohn & Susan Verbocy
2004CH MACH Serendipity's Paprika CDX, AXP, AJPJoan & Allen Holth
2003CH MACH2 Jasper the Tasmanian Devil SHSuzanne Glasgow
2002CH MACH2 Jasper the Tasmanian Devil SHSuzanne Glasgow
2001CH MACH2 Jasper the Tasmanian Devil SHSuzanne Glasgow

Obedience

YearPhotoDogOwner(s)
2025 RACH Menny's Monster Of Fish Lake UDX4 OM6 VER RM4 RAE3 JH MX MXJ MFB T2B BCAT RATO CGCA TKA FTIAlice Daddario
2024CH OTCH Regal Point Poquito Pasilla Chile UDX OM3 SWE SIM SHDEMaria and Harold Zucconi & Ricardo Renteria
2023RACH Menny's Monster of Fish Lake CDX RMS RAE2 JH OA AXJ XF BCAT CGC TKAAlice & Michael Daddario, Jessica Vetter
2022MACH RACH Menny's Sweet Fruit of the Vine UDX2 OM3 VER RM3 RAE3 MXB MJB MXF T2B2 RATN CGC TKPAlice & Michael Daddario
2021CH Thornbird's Fabulous Foxy Lady CD AX OAJLenore Giacalone
2020Jackpot's Cabana Boy CD BN RI ACT1 TK1Gail Moriarty & Vicki McGregor
2019CH Remark's Happy Coffee CD PCD BN GN RM RAE JH AX AXJ CGC TKIKaren Coffee
2018OTCH Encounter The Mystery of Magic UDX2 OM4Kathy & Vicki Coulbourn
2017Encounter The Mystery of Magic UDX OM1Kathy & Vicki Coulbourn
2016CH Jackpot's Bugatti CD PCD BN RE JHGail Moriarty & Vicki McGregor
2015Koppertone Dorratz Soul Bossanova CD BN MX MXJ MJB NF T2BNancy Schmitt, Mark Goodwein, & Donna Defillippis
2014Poquito's Savina Chile De Mi Mesa CD RN OA OAJMaria & Harold Zucconi
2013CH Remark's Cowboy Coffee CD NA OAJKaren Coffee
2012CH Poquito's La Mesa NM De Sisi UD RE MHMaria Zucconi, Harold Zucconi, Janet Nuzzo
2011Ch Poquito's La Mesa Nm De Sisi UD RE MHMaria Zucconi, Harold Zucconi, Janet Nuzzo
2010CH Kizmar GJ Kiss'm All McLain UDX OM1Sandy Kimmerle, Kathy Rust
2009CH Poquito's La Mesa Nm De Sisi UD RE MHMaria Zucconi, Harold Zucconi, Janet Nuzzo
2008CH Encounter the Right Stuff UDXKathy Coulbourn
2007CH Tahar's I Love Lucy UD RN TD JHMartha Coody, Melinda Guiles
2006CH Edenvale PM Triple Play CD OA OAJAnne Standen, Nancy Schmitt
2005CH Edenvale PM Triple Play CD OA OAJAnne Standen, Nancy Schmitt
2004CH Edenvale PM Triple Play CD OA OAJAnne Standen, Nancy Schmitt
2003CH OTCH Titan's Vintage Promise UDXAnne Standen, Peggy Schmitt
2002CH OTCH Titan's Vintage Promise UDXAnne Standen, Peggy Schmitt
2001CH OTCH Titan's Vintage Promise UDXAnne Standen, Peggy Schmitt
2000CH OTCH Titan's Vintage Promise UDXAnne Standen, Peggy Schmitt
1999CH Poquito's Picante Cayenne CDX MH OAJ AXMaria & Harold Zucconi

Rally

YearPhotoDogOwner(s)
2025RACH3 Nosam's Aspen Fall Forest VCD1 CDX PCDX BN GN RM6 RAE6 RC TDX JH NF FCAT DN CGCA CGCU TKN ATT FITG FTRChristine McKelvey
2024Diamondmines PM Wild West BN RE CGC TKNAnne Standen
2023RACH Menny’s Monster Of Fish Lake CDX RM2 RAE2 JH OA AXJ XF BCAT CGC TKAAlice Daddario
2022RACH Lone Ridge’s Ginger Mae UD BN RM3 RAE5 ACT2JDenise Langendorf
2021CH RACH Remark's Happy Coffee UD PCD BN GN RM2 RAE2 JH AX AXJ CGC TKIKaren Coffee
2020CH Remark's Happy Coffee CD PCD BN GN RM RAE JH AX AXJ CGC TKIKaren Coffee
2019CH Remark’s Happy Coffee CD PCD BN RA JH AX AXJ CGC TKIKaren Coffee
2018Zydeco Divine Danny Girl BN RNLisa Durham
2017Kizmar Doran PM True From The Start PCDX BN RAE NF AX AXJ CGCAnne Standen