My name is Terri Lyddon. I live in Columbia, Missouri. I am currently employed at the University of Missouri-Columbia as a research specialist and laboratory manager in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology department. Our field of study is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Our research focuses on the assembly mechanisms of HIV. We utilize techniques such as: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reproducing particular pieces of HIV genome for assembly studies, and protein work using Western Blots. I am also certified as a Histology Technician (ASCP) and Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology (NCA). I have been employed by the University continuously for 14 years – collectively for 22 years.

I am approved by the American Kennel Club to judge Toy and Non-Sporting breeds and group, Best in Show, and Junior Showmanship. I am also approved to judge Basenjis, Manchester Terriers, Smooth Fox Terriers, Norwich Terriers, Norfolk Terriers, and Australian Shepherds.

Our family dog in the early 1960s was named Inky. He was a black and tan Toy Manchester Terrier/Chihuahua mix. When Inky disappeared I was very sad; however, that was our beginning in purebred dogs. We purchased a tri Basenji named Snoopy. He was very smart, but he was not show quality. So we bought other Basenjis and built a kennel. It became a family hobby. Mom trained and showed a Basenji in obedience, while Dad and I showed in conformation. I showed a tri Basenji, named Sniffles, in Junior Showmanship. Sniffles and I won our first junior class over 36 Novice Juniors in the early 1970s.

My 1969 Christmas present was a Long Coat Chihuahua. Our family successfully bred and showed Chihuahuas for over 25 years. It was difficult to win in Junior Showmanship with Chihuahuas as we phased out of Basenjis. In the mid-1970s my family purchased a Smooth Fox Terrier. Smooth Fox Terriers became my breed for 10 years in addition to Chihuahuas. I participated in 4-H dog care projects and shows. I exhibited in AKC conformation, junior showmanship and obedience. I earned Companion Dog titles on a Smooth Fox Terrier and a Long Coat Chihuahua.

I began exhibiting Chihuahuas for other breeders in the late 1970s. A close friend of ours became interested in Papillons in the early 1980s. Because of this, I finished my first Papillon championship title in 1982. I showed a phalene for the same person along the mid-1980s but the phalenes were not well received at that time. She did not finish. I did show about a dozen other Papillons that did finish. In 1995 Arji Ainola from Finland came to live with me to learn about grooming and showing dogs. She brought her Misty Meadow’s Papillon which we co-owned during this time and I had the pleasure of finishing her. We attended the National that year in Seattle, WA.

Through the 1980s I exhibited dogs to specialty Best in Shows and all breed Best in Shows along with finishing many champions. I dabbled in breeding Shih Tzu and Maltese. In 1989 I quit my job (at the University) to show dogs full time. I traveled the United States and exhibited at Westminster in New York. I was able to attend many National Specialties. I was fortunate to be able to travel with other handlers with different breeds. I became familiar with different conditioning, grooming and handling techniques. I exhibited most of the Toy breeds and many of the Non-Sporting breeds, and a few Terriers. I became a member of the Professional Handlers Association (PHA) in Jan. 1990 and held membership until I applied to judge in late 1999.

While handling dogs, I was asked to judge Australian Shepherds for the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) shows. I judged my first ASCA show in 1981. Between 1981 and 1999 when I applied to judge for the AKC, I had judged over 400 Australian Shepherds. During the years of handling I also judged sweepstakes and AKC sanctioned matches. This allowed me the experience, knowledge, and confidence to apply to judge for the American Kennel Club. I was approved to judge AKC shows in the spring of 2000.