Question of the Week

Dennis B. Sprung

AKC President/CEO

Victor was the consummate dog man.  A dedicated and successful breeder who consistently attained top awards internationally.

Over many years I was privileged to be a friend of his as well as his devoted wife Susan.

Additionally, there were business relationships which demonstrated his keen acumen and respect for fairness. 

A special person who will be remembered in the highest regard by everyone. Rest in peace, Victor. 

Gabriel Rangel

Rialto, California

I was very fortunate to have many wonderful memories over the last 20 years with Victor. We had some of the greatest wins together, and that made us very happy and proud! One of the most memorable experiences was when he invited me to the World Cup in Brazil. That was a dream for me as a kid from Mexico. We went to several games, took a private jet and then enjoyed the game from his box … sitting not too far from the great Pele. Before I left for home, I expressed to him that he had made my dream come true. His answer was “Gabriel, you made my dreams come true at Westminster.” And we hugged. That was a special moment between us that I will cherish forever. He was an honorable and gracious man and a true lover of dogs. He will always be in my heart …

Phil Booth

Buffalo, New York

It was an honor and pleasure to show dogs for Victor. His dedication to the sport and his support of organizations relating to the sport were unsurpassed.
Not many people actually realized how funny Victor was and what a great sense of humor he had.
We were in Brazil at dinner at an exclusive, kind of dark restaurant, and he takes out these reading glasses with little lights on them so he could read the menu. He got such a kick out of everyone's reaction when he would look at them with the lights shining in their eyes!

We will miss him.

Mike Macbeth

Ontario, Canada

Devastated to hear the news about Victor Malzoni, one of the most gracious and kindest members of our canine community.

I saw him often over the years, and was always impressed that, unlike so many other wealthy South Americans, he never travelled with an entourage of security ... just good friends. He’d dress simply in a sweater and jeans, and treated everyone the same, no matter how humble or important. He had old-fashioned manners. He supported so many fantastic dogs that at one point he had a dozen handlers in South America, the U.S. and Europe. Two people were employed just to keep track of where dogs were and book their flights. 

I was so fortunate to be invited several times to his spectacular kennel, almost hidden, outside of Sao Paulo. It looked more like a Hollywood star’s home than a dog kennel with its manmade lake, palm trees and fountains. Complete with its own veterinary clinic, it had every modern piece of technology available to care for his dogs, and thus a perfect place to raise puppies or retire his show dogs. I cherish the photo of me cuddling Henry (Ch. Travella Starlord), my favorite of all his Wires, retired but still in show trim. The soaring glass grooming room was nothing like I’d seen before, but with Victor’s cheeky sense of humor, it displayed a large image of the Wizard of Oz’s characters, including, of course, Toto. Despite all his other great show dogs, Victor was dedicated to his Cairns. We will not see the likes of him again. Rest well, Victor.

Mary and Scott Olund

St. Helena, California

Where do I even begin to describe our wonderful experience with Victor in co-owning Sky with him? He was the consummate gentleman — an easy person to co-own a dog with. He always had a smile, a positive attitude, respectful, and was generous with his time. Thank you, Victor, for being who you were in the dog-show world. You were a ray of bright sunshine. He was the co-owner of Sky, GCh. Afterall Painting The Sky, the 2014 Westminster winner shown by Gabriel Rangel. Sky was the #1 dog in the U.S. in 2013 and won 128 Bests in Show. She also won Best in Show at the 2013 Montgomery County Kennel Club show. In 2012, she won Bests in Show at the AKC National Championship and the National Dog Show.

Lydia Coleman Hutchinson

Middletown, Maryland

Victor and I first became acquainted at the very beginning of his involvement in the dog-show scene in the U.S. when he acquired several Cairns from me. (He always said Cairns were his favorite breed.) Through that encounter we became close friends, and even though we didn't get to see each other as often as we would have liked, we were "family."  In fact, from early on he called me his sister.  (He had two brothers, but no sisters.) I am having a very hard time accepting that he is no longer here with us, but I know his spirit will remain with me and all his many close friends who were also touched by him. God bless his dear wife Susan and the rest of his family.