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Pat Trotter: A Legacy Immortalized

BY JESSICA BRAATZ

A woman in a blue suit kneels beside a Norwegian Elkhound in a show ring next to a yellow sign labeled “Norwegian Elkhound” and a large floral arrangement.
A woman walks a dog in a show ring at a dog competition. Judges and spectators observe from the background. Signs for various breeds and "Best in Show" are displayed.
Three people stand on a green carpet holding large trophies and ribbons at a dog show event, with a seated audience in the background.
A dog handler in a dress leads a dog in a competition ring while judges and spectators watch. Signs for "Hound Group" and numbers 3 and 4 markers are visible.
A woman in a blue suit walks a Norwegian Elkhound dog on a leash in a dog show arena, with another person and flower arrangements in the background.
A dog stands with its handler beside a box labeled "Norwegian Elkhound" at a dog show, while judges and an audience observe.
A person in a suit walks a dog on a leash across a dark stage or floor. The image is blurred, suggesting motion.
A woman wearing glasses and a blue jacket with a "14" armband gently holds a dog’s face at a dog show event.
A woman in a plaid skirt leads a leashed dog in a show ring, with an audience watching in the background.
A woman in a blue suit walks a large gray dog in a dog show ring, surrounded by yellow signs and flower arrangements, with a crowd watching in the background.
A dog stands on a show floor with two handlers, while an audience watches from the stands in the background.
A woman in a blue dress leads a gray dog on a leash in a large indoor arena with an audience in the stands.
Two women examine a dog in a show ring, with other dogs and spectators visible in the background.

“Every pet may not be a show dog, but be assured, every show dog is a pet.”

 

It was the statement heard across the world as the 2021 Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show judge, Mrs. Patricia Craige Trotter, lifted the purple and gold rosette. It was Pat’s 12th time standing on the famed carpet, lights illuminating her purple dress, yet it was her first time on the other side of the ring. For the other 11 times, she had stood in the shoes of the seven handlers before her, awaiting the announcement of the ultimate winner with an Elkhound at the end of her lead. As she gave her speech that evening, it was a culmination of 70 years of unwavering dedication to the sport as a breeder, owner-handler, judge, author, and mentor. Her words echoed in the hearts of dog fanciers and were felt in the souls of spectators. In that moment, she embodied a lifetime of dedication to purpose-bred dogs and The Westminster Kennel Club, the ultimate testament to a legacy decades in the making.

 

The Beginning

 

Mrs. Trotter’s journey with dogs began in the late 1940s, but it wasn’t until 1951 that she discovered her true passion, and the first Vin-Melca Norwegian Elkhound litter was registered. Driven by her overall love for animals, she dove into the dog world headfirst. She kept only a few dogs at home, masterfully orchestrating her breeding program to become a global powerhouse. All the while, she worked full-time as a teacher and competed as a breeder-owner-handler. Her campaigns were nothing short of remarkable, as Pat traveled to weekend shows with her charges, racing back home in time to be in the classroom early the next morning. She had dogs finish in the Top 10 of all breeds 10 times, despite her demanding career. For her, she was always a breeder first, considering the big picture to ensure her program would continue to develop and shine nationwide. Her persistence, perfectionism, and steadfast dedication led to legendary successes both in and out of the ring—one cannot simply think of a Norwegian Elkhound without Mrs. Trotter and Vin-Melca.

 

Looking Back

 

Pat’s first trip to the Westminster Kennel Club was in the 1950s, and she has become an institution of the club, attending almost every show since. Her first Group placement was in 1969, when Ch. Vin-Melca’s Howdy Rowdy placed third in the Hound Group. Her first Group win was the following year, in 1970, and thus began an unprecedented record at Westminster. She has won a remarkable 11 Hound Groups and an additional ten Group placements in total, with these wins spanning five historic decades. Her most recent Group win was in 2017, decades after retiring from campaigning her charges, and a true testament to the longevity of her program. 

 

If she could step on the famed carpet today with any of her historical charges, she would want to handle Vagabond or Nimbus of her males, and Calista or Marketta from her females. Both were remarkable pairs: Nimbus was a grandson of Vagabond, and Calista and Marketta remain the only mother-daughter duo to each win two Groups at Westminster. For Pat, the true test of a dog’s quality is its ability as a producer, rather than a show dog. It was very important to her that the dogs she showed at Westminster were descendants of previous Westminster winners, carrying forward the Vin-Melca legacy of greatness. 

 

Mrs. Trotter’s Westminster Group winners are as follows:

  • 1970 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Vagabond
  • 1971 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Vagabond
  • 1974 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Homesteader
  • 1977 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Nimbus
  • 1979 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Nimbus
  • 1986 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Call To Arms
  • 1989 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Calista
  • 1990 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Calista
  • 1994 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Marketta
  • 1995 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Marketta
  • 2017 — Ch. Vin-Melca’s Daggarwood Delight
A woman stands with a dog next to a sign reading "Hound Group" as a man holds a rosette and trophy, likely at a dog show.
1970
A man in a tuxedo holds a ribbon and bowl while a woman kneels beside a dog. A sign in front reads "HOUND GROUP.
1971
Three people stand with a Norwegian Elkhound that has won the Hound Group at a dog show; one holds a ribbon, another holds a trophy, and the third handles the dog.
1974
Three people stand with a Norwegian Elkhound that won the Hound Group at a dog show; one person holds a trophy, another holds the dog, and a judge stands nearby.
1977
Three people pose with a trophy and ribbon next to a dog in front of a "Hound Group" sign at a competition in an indoor arena.
1979
Three people in formal attire pose with a dog at a dog show. The woman stands with the dog, while the two men hold awards. A sign reads “Hound Group, The Westminster Kennel Club, 1986.”.
1986
Three people stand behind a Norwegian Elkhound with a blue ribbon at a dog show. A trophy, flowers, and a “Group First” sign are displayed in front of the dog.
1989
Three people stand with a Norwegian Elkhound dog at a dog show. The dog won first place in its group at the Westminster Kennel Club in February 1990.
1990
Three people in formal attire stand behind a Norwegian Elkhound and display awards, including a blue ribbon and trophy, at a dog show event.
1994
A gray Norwegian Elkhound stands on a green carpet with three formally dressed judges holding awards, including a blue ribbon and a trophy, at a dog show.
1995
Four adults and a Norwegian Elkhound pose at a dog show, with the dog receiving a "Group First" award; judges hold ribbons and trophies, surrounded by flowers.
2017

A Pivot

 

In 1994, Pat’s campaigning came to an end, and she transitioned to judging instead. She would still attend the occasional show, but judging quickly became her focus. She is now approved to judge all seven Groups and Best in Show, along with Junior Showmanship, and travels frequently to judge. All the while, she has maintained the strength of her breeding program. This year, she will take to the Westminster floor once more, judging all varieties of Dachshunds on Monday, February 2, 2026. Until then, she has a busy schedule ahead of her, judging multiple National Specialties and all-breed shows across the country.


As a judge at Westminster, Pat has had the honor of presiding over numerous breed judging assignments across multiple groups. She finds judging young dogs of exceptional quality especially uplifting and enjoys mentoring young exhibitors who will become the sport’s leading fanciers. For her, there is only one Westminster, and she treasures each assignment at the historic show. In addition to her many breeds, she has judged the Hound Group twice, first in 2009 and again in 2019, and achieved the ultimate honor of judging Best in Show in 2021.


In addition to her judging, Mrs. Trotter has committed herself to educating fanciers and breeders, teaching seminars nationwide and online, ensuring her knowledge is accessible to the next generation. She is also the author of Born to Win, an essential text for any dog enthusiast, and is a very successful columnist across multiple publications. Her dedication to teaching the next generation and her wealth of knowledge are unmistakable, as is her generosity in sharing her expertise.

 

Accolades

 

The true extent of Mrs. Trotter’s contribution to the sport and her many awards won is immeasurable. She won the Gaines Girl Show Dog Fancier of the Year award in 1952, the Fido Awards Dog Woman of the Year award in 1991, the Fido Awards Dog Writer of the Year award in 1998, and the AKC Hound Group Breeder of the Year award in 2004. In 1990, she was inducted into the Quaker Oats (now ProPlan) Hall of Fame during their annual Saturday night event. She also won a Maxwell Award from the Dog Writers Association of America in 1997 for her column in the AKC Gazette. Additionally, in 2014, she was honored with the American Kennel Club Conformation Lifetime Achievement Award, a distinction reserved for the best of our sport. Vin-Melca also holds numerous records in addition to those at Westminster, with Pat producing both the top sire and dam in Norwegian Elkhound history.

 

Looking Forward

 

For Pat, Westminster is everything, and its tagline, “There’s only one,” could not ring truer. No other dog show matches its mystique, tradition, and theater, a feeling she has carried since childhood. To her, Westminster has always been the pinnacle of dog shows. It’s the World Series, the Super Bowl, or the Olympic gold, all in one—the undisputed ultimate. And, the same could be said about Pat Trotter and her Vin-Melca Norwegian Elkhounds.


With this legacy in mind, The Westminster Kennel Club is elated to announce the dedication of the new Hound Group trophy in her honor. Dedicated by Westminster Kennel Club Member Thomas Millner and his wife, Merry Jeanne, the Vin-Melca Trophy recognizes Mrs. Trotter’s remarkable achievements within the show ring, along with her steadfast dedication and passion to the sport of purpose-bred dogs. The Vin-Melca name has cemented itself in legacy within Westminster records, and it is only fitting for it to inspire and honor generations to come. 


When asked about this dedication, Mrs. Trotter was overwhelmed by emotion. “I am just so honored, I can’t believe it. It is a wonderful tribute to the Elkhound breed and to the breeders of my foundation animals from my youth. I am in absolute awe, and so honored and grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Millner for this dedication.”


Pat Trotter represents the best of the fancy, a dedicated breeder-owner-handler and pioneer. She made the impossible possible, winning Best in Show awards, Groups at Westminster, and campaigning Top 10 dogs, all while maintaining her career. Her endless dedication and perseverance are remarkable. And her legacy is indisputable, at Westminster and beyond. The brand new Vin-Melca Hound Group trophy will be presented to one deserving team on the evening of February 2, 2026. Mr. Michael Canalizo, a longtime Hound breeder himself, will have the honor of selecting the first dog to win the honor and carry on Mrs. Trotter’s unparalleled legacy. 

 

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