Each year Continental Kennel Club honors one of its Preferred Breeders for their efforts in striving to improve their preferred breed of dog. CKC Preferred Breeders adhere to the strictest standards in breeding and canine care for their dogs. They also commit to excellent customer service and make sure all of their puppies are placed in good homes with well-informed new puppy owners. Some of them even provide workshops for their clients and dogs so that they can get together and learn more about their breed each year. They keep meticulous records on their breeding quality dogs and insist that only those with the best standards and genetic health are used for breeding. This year, I am proud to announce that the 2011 recipient of the Continental Kennel Club Breeder Merit Award is Diane St. Martin of Hidden Acres American Mastiffs in Southampton, Massachusetts.
After breeding hounds and working dogs for years Diane St. Martin was looking for a big hang-around dog for her farm in Southampton, Massachusetts. After researching breeds on the internet, she happened upon the perfect choice, a relatively large mastiff-type breed developed by Fredericka Wagner of Flying W Farms. After many years of purpose breeding for a mastiff with an excellent temperament, long life, and moderate drool, Mrs. Wagner had developed the ideal giant breed - The American Mastiff. The American Mastiff was officially recognized as a new breed by Continental Kennel Club in January of 2000.
Diane St. Martin is the owner of Hidden Acres American Mastiffs farm in Southampton, Massachusetts. She has been a CKC member since August of 2000 and registered her 1st litter with CKC in July of 2005. In the past 6 years, she has distinguished herself among breeders by choosing quality breeding dogs for her breeding program, producing healthy, well-adjusted puppies for new puppy owners, and keeping accurate registration records. Her philosophy is to create the best possible product (or in this case puppy) and stand behind it. And she does!
With Diane, placing a puppy in a new home is not just another sell – it’s a new relationship that she has a part in initiating and developing. She warranties her puppies for health and will buy back a dog if necessary to make sure it doesn’t end up on the streets or in a shelter. Diane is passionate about the dogs she raises and puts her time and energy into improving the breed and providing quality dogs for her clients.
Diane is the kind of breeder every registry organization covets. She strives to better the breed, provides quality care for her dogs, takes care of her clients, and promotes CKC tirelessly. Continental Kennel Club highly values its relationship with Hidden Acres American Mastiffs and breeders like Diane St. Martin. At CKC, we strive to live up to the confidence these breeders have placed in us. As President of Continental Kennel Club I would like to personally congratulate Mrs. St. Martin for her outstanding work with the American Mastiff breed.
