About Me
Since 1975, I have been involved in pure-bred dogs getting started in Alaskan Malamutes. I have always enjoyed training, competing, and just hanging out with my dogs. Early in the game, I became active in breed club volunteer work. Originating from the southeast, I grew up in Alabama and lived for a number of years in Atlanta, GA. While living in Alabama and Georgia, I was a member of the Montgomery Kennel Club and the Atlanta Kennel Club. My first experience with competitive dog events was dabbling in obedience training and competition. Soon I was introduced to dog shows and breed competition and it seems there was no turning back.
I lived 17 years in the Seattle area, where I was a member of the Pacific Northwest Portuguese Water Dog Club and served as Past-President and Director for that club. I have served the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc. (PWDCA) as a board member for a total of 6 years, including terms as President, Recording Secretary and Director. Serving on several committees over the years to include Chair of the Specialty Event Advisory Team, PWDCA Archivist, liaison to several special projects, I continue to volunteer as a member of the PWDCA Eye Committee.
I am honored to serve as a volunteer Director for the Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Inc. The PWDF is a foundation that takes the health of the PWD seriously, actively funding research that contributes to the quality of life and healthy future for our breed. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Consider getting involved by way of a tax-deductible donation and/or designate the PWDF as your Amazon Smile charity of choice.
PWDs captured my heart as they are such wonderful companions and are constantly keeping me on my toes. They challenge me to try new things and are one of the most versatile breeds I know and ready to take on most any task. As an owner, they will demand a sense of humor and a bit of humility as they frequently are pushing the boundaries. My first PWD was CH. Polliwog’s Cayuga, CGC, OA. V-NAC, V-NGC, V-OJC who came to live with me in 1995 at two-years of age. He opened so many doors and will always hold a very special place in my heart. As a breeder of Portuguese Water Dogs, I feel it is important to “listen” closely the architecture provided in the AKC standard for PWDs detailing what the breed should look like as well as what it’s personality traits should be. Many health tests are at the disposal of today’s breeders to try and insure a long and healthy life for puppies produced. Stowaway puppies are matched up with the best possible home for their individual personalities and go on to live very full and rich lives. Puppies leave for their new homes with AKC limited registration and microchip, as well as up-to-date vaccinations.
~Janet Boyd
Alaskan Malamutes
My first malamute, “Angel”, came into my life in 1975 introducing me to the world of purebred dogs. She was game for anything and we trained for AKC conformation shows as well as obedience training. One of my first obedience instructors was C. J. Favre, who remains a friend to this day and ironically has gone on to become involved in PWDs as well. Together Angel and I went on to achieve her AKC breed championship as well as her Novice obedience title. I joined the Alaskan Malamute Club of America, Inc. (AMCA) in 1979 and am currently a Lifetime Member of the AMCA.
During my active years in the malamute world, I was Show Chair for the Southern Regional Specialty and served a number of years as the Chondrodysplasia (Chd) Committee representative for my area. At the time there was no genetic test for Chd and breeders submitted pedigrees for analysis to determine whether their dogs had a low enough risk of carrying the gene to be safely bred. If the pedigree analysis risk was above 6.25%, breeders could elect to do a test mating to a Chd carrier or affected dog to determine the carrier status of their dog. Pups from these test litters were placed in homes and lived normal lives. I bred 3 litters of malamutes, to include a Chd test breeding for my first litter.
The malamute is a wonderful breed and is notorious for their sense of humor. Over the years, I have owned 5 mals and put AKC championships on 4 of them and obtained 3 CDs. Here is a collection of photos of some of the Alaskan Malamutes that have been a part of my life.