Cheryl Peterson

Cheryl Peterson has been involved in training and exhibiting dogs since 1971. She has taught, handled professionally and is a retired American Kennel Club (AKC) judge, where she judged dogs in conformation, junior showmanship, hunt tests and field trials for pointing breeds. She currently judges conformation for the United Kennel Club (UKC). In addition, she gives seminars through her seminar company, Seminars Unleashed, as well as teaches conformation at local clubs.

She has had the privilege of having shown numerous top 10 dogs to their bench championships for her clients. In addition, under the prefix NORDIC, she and her family have bred, owned and exhibited top 10 dogs in conformation, agility and field as well as having many dogs attaining the Versatile Excellent title in their breed. Her family is the breeder, owner and exhibitor of the largest futurity winner in breed history (Weimaraner), the 1978 Eastern Futurity winner, a record which still stands today. Breeds under their NORDIC prefix include Weimaraners and Vizslas.

Her mother, along with several other members of the Weimaraner Club of Northern Illinois, Inc., started what is thought to be one of the first rescue organizations in 1971 called “HOWL” (Helping Other Weimaraners Live). HOWL was a catalyst to many other breed rescue organizations who copied and tweaked HOWL for their own rescue work. Rescue organizations continue to grow. Cheryl’s love of dogs and vast work with rescue work prompted her to write "Please Oh Please, Can We Get a Dog? Parents’ Guide to Dog Ownership," to assist people and families looking to add a four-legged one to their family and making it a successful human/dog relationship. This book was nominated for book of the year by the Dog Writer’s Guild. It has been featured on Steve Dale’s Pet Central, written up by Dog World Magazine and recommended by top breeders, kennel clubs, shelters, rescue organizations and featured radio shows throughout the country. The book was also translated into Polish.

Other writing credits include Extra Innings, My Life in Baseball, Orestes “Minnie” Minoso, in which she did research writing for the publication.

Her latest book, Hounding Temptations! was just recently published and is geared toward middle school children.