Heart of America Boxer Club Inc.

Records of the HOABC were destroyed in a flood several years ago, making this chronology one subject to unavoidable omission ...... anyone having any additional information to fill in the gaps is invited to do so by contacting the club using the email link at the bottom of this page.

The Heart of America Boxer Club was founded in the Kansas City area in 1950. The first specialty show was held two years later in 1952.

During the early years, shows were benched and held at the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Groups and Best in Show competition was held at night with handlers and judges in formal attire, and under spotlight for Best in Show.

As entries increased, the days became long and tiring for people and dogs alike. Specialties began to be held on Fridays, with the All Breed shows benched on Saturday and Sunday. When the American Royal was built the shows moved there, with after-show gatherings at the Golden Ox.

The club celebrated its 50th Anniversary in March 2000. A record number of entries marked the specialty and sweepstakes, judged by Rufus Burleson and Johnny Johnson respectively.

Prominent Members from Past to Present include:

Ernie & Irene Putnam - Gay Oaks Boxers. The Putnams foundation bitch was CH Princess Gay Golden, whose daughter Hot Copy of Gay Oaks became the dam of CH Jered's Spellbinder and CH Jered's Sweet Stuff. Ernie went on the become a judge, and judged the first ABC Regional Specialty in 1958.

Ed & Jeryn Garich - Jered Boxers. The Garichs bought Hot Copy of Gay Oaks and bred her to CH Elixir of Raineylane, which produced the #5 all-time producing sire CH Jered's Spellbinder SOM, producer of 56 champions, and CH Jered's Sweet Stuff. Ed Garich judged the ABC National Specialty in 1964 and 1976, and the ABC Regional Specialty in 1970.

Mr & Mrs O. F. Berges - Berges Kennels. The Berges were active members during the late 50's and early 60's, and owned Jered's Sky Siren DOM who produced 5 champions by "Spellbinder".

Carol Sorrell (Howell) - Sorrelane Boxers. Ms Sorrell (Howell) purchased Berges Sky Angel from the Berges' and bred her to CH Evo-Wen's Dynamo. This mating produced CH Sorrelane's Student Prince SOM who subsequently sired 10 champions.

Bob & Dixie Dempsey - Dempsey Boxers. The Dempseys owned a "Spellbinder" son named CH Dempsey's Copper Gentleman SOM who won the 1962 ABC Regional Specialty.

Morris & Dorothy Grenier - Quality Hill Boxers. Members by 1952, the Greniers purchased Valley Groves Applause and bred her to CH Bang Away of Sirrah Crest SOM, LOM, resulting in two other great boxers - the #8 all-time producing sire CH Barrage of Quality Hill SOM, producer of 45 champions, and CH Baroque of Quality Hill.

Barney & Evelyn Owens - Evo-Wen Kennels. Joining in 1952 or 1953, the Owens were active in breeding and showing for a number of years. Their most famous boxer was the #35 all-time producing sire CH Evo-Wen's Impressario SOM, producer of 25 champions.

Dorothy & Ramon McNulty - Dormac Boxers. The McNultys were breeders of CH Dormac's Gunslinger, CH Dormac's Excaliber and Dormac's Risque DOM. Ramon and Dorothy were each professional handlers who went on to become judges.

Glen & Marge Richart - Glenwood Kennels. Early members of the club, the Richarts best known champion was CH Glenwood's Black Orchid. Glen later became a successful handler and AKC judge.

Elgan "Johnny" & Joyce Johnson - K-Nine Kennels. After joining the club in the early 60's, Johnny was president of HOABC for a total of ten years. The Johnson's bred a number of champions before Johnny moved to Texas and became a professional handler. Johnny campaigned several top winning boxers during his career. Joyce was the owner of ICH Aracrest's Kaylib, SOM.

BJ & Gerald Cavanaugh - CavaLane Kennels. The Cavanaughs bought the Evo-Wen Kennel when the Owens retired, and along with their daughter Elizabeth were active since the early 1960's. At the time of BJ's death, Elizabeth and her husband Gary Chrisman took over the kennel. Gary was president of HOABC for several years. CavaLane Kennels finished over 30 champions including two DOM's.  CH CavaLane's Velvet Glow was  the top winning bitch for ABC in 1970 and 1971.

Lu Yager & Pat Jones - Rockwoods Kennels. Ms Yager and Ms Jones had a limited breeding program in the 60's until Lu's death. Together they bred a total of 8 champions, one of which was CH Rockwood's Big D who was BOS at the 1967 ABC Regional Specailty.

Carol & John Phillips - Cajon Kennels. The Phillips purchased CH Treceder's Sequence (littermate to Sequel) which they bred to Barrage, producing CH Cajon's Can Can, Regional BOB winner in 1965 and the #35 all-time producing sire CH Cajon's Calling Card SOM, producer of 25 champions.

Dalene Lewis - Dasel Kennels. Ms Lewis started a very successful breeding program when she bred her Dasel's Cristel Star to CH Moss Wood's Zinger Zapper. The resulting litter produced four champions, making her a DOM

Ruth & Bill Leek - Ruhlend Kennels. The Leek's were members during the time they had CH Peablo's Black Bishop, CH Ruhlend's Swiss Miss and CH Ruhlend;s Swiss Konig.

Richard & Denise Calbert - Mystery Kennels. The Calberts purchased their first bitch from Joyce & Johnny Johnson in the early 70's, and with a limited breeding program produced the #25 all-time producing sire CH Mystery's Show BIS SOM, producer of 29 champions and one of the top boxers specialed by Johnny Johnson.

Eileen McClintock - Holly Lane Kennels. Eileen joined HOABC in the 60's. Her first producer was CH Holly Lane's Cookie, who when bred to Masquerader produced the famous "Wind" litter (so named because they were born the night of the terrible tornado which struck Topeka). CH Holly Lane's Wildwind, SOM produced 9 champions including CH My-R's Haybinder of Holly Lane, SOM, but was overshadowed by his famous sister, the #1 all-time producing dam CH Holly Lane's Windstorm, DOM. Her sons include the #49 all-time producing sire CH Holly Lane's Diamond Replay, SOM, producer of 21 champions, and CH Holly Lane's Winter Forecast, winner of the 1972 ABC Futurity. One daughter, Delovely, was a top winning bitch, and Winter Fantasy became a DOM. Holly Lane was also the owner of the top boxer CH Edjer of Baldr, SOM.

Elvinia Heldenbrand - Heldenbrand Boxers. Elvinia joined HOABC in the 70's, and started with a bitch from Holly Lane. She has bred many champions since that time, most notable being the #11 all-time producing sire - CH Heldenbrand's Jet Breaker SOM, LOM, producer of 40 champions. Many of her champions were owner handled to their championships, and she also achieved obedience titles on several of her Boxers, including Heldenbrand's Proud Ruler UD and Heldenbrand's Kings Ransom UD.

Velda & Harold Rounsaville - Har-Vel Boxers. Velda and Harold joined HOABC in the 70's and started with their foundation bitch Har-Vel's Sweet-n-Sassy, who went on to produce CH Har-Vel's Gold Express SOM and CH Har-Vel's Josh's Gold CD, SOM. Each of these SOM's in turn produced a SOM, CH Rochil's Grande Marshall SOM and CH Jo-San's Future Time SOM, respectively. They also owned CH Oliver's Solid Gold DOM, the 1989 ABC Dam of the Year.

Wes & Ann Tomhave - Wesan Boxers. Wes & Ann joined HOABC in the early 70's. They had bought K-Nine's Monique from Johnny and Joyce Johnson in the late 60's, becoming their first champion and their foundation bitch. Despite a limited breeding program, all 26 of the Wesan champions  can be traced back to her. CH Wesan's Dark Apache Miss was Winner's Bitch at the 1975 Regional.  CH Marburl's Rehab of Wesan (owned by Rufus and Mary Frances Burleson) was Best of Breed at the ABC National Specialty in 1979 and 1980.  CH Wesan's Maggie Magee was Reserve Winner's Bitch from the puppy classes at the 1980 Regional.  The Tomhaves also bred two Dams of Merit.

Dalene Brown Lewis - Dasel Boxers. Dalene was a life member of the Heart of America Boxer Club, serving the club in various offices. Dalene was also a long time member of the American Boxer Club. Throughout the years Dalene served as a mentor and steward to our breed. She was always willing to help the newcomer and anyone who needed help along the way. During her years as an active breeder, she bred 18 champions and at least 2 Dams of Merit under the Dasel banner. There are many who got their early start thanks to her help and guidance.