Ray Carlisle

Ray Carlisle has owned and cared for dogs most of his life. He purchased his first Doberman in 1961 and there began a lifelong “love affair” with the breed.

An avid student of the Doberman, Ray has developed a well planned and successful breeding program, under the kennel name “CARA,” by combining the best American and European bloodlines, striving for the TOTAL Doberman. CARA Dobermans can be found all over the world; in the show ring, the sport field, as Search & Rescue dogs, police canine dogs, and as loyal family companions. At the American Working Dog Federation (AWDF) 2000 Championships, the Doberman team won for the first time – and the Schutzhund I and Schutzhund II team members were CARA littermates.

Since becoming an AKC licensed judge in 1981, Ray has had the honor of judging many National Specialties around the world including the Doberman Pinscher Club of America and the United Doberman Club. In addition to his domestic judging assignments, Ray has also accepted invitations to judge internationally in Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Uruguay, Venezuela, Estonia, South Africa and Canada. He has also judged specialties in Australia and Germany as well as the DPCA Top 20 in 1991 and 1998. Ray is also an active member in good standing with The American Dog Show Judges, Inc., The Dog Show Judges of America, Inc. and The Senior Conformation Judges Assoc., Inc.

Ray’s many years of experience as one of the top Doberman breeders in the world, coupled with his expertise of the breed, has made him a well recognized speaker in demand on topics such as judging and defining temperament.

A founding member of the United Doberman Club, Ray served for 2 years as its first President. He continues to serve as an officer, conformation judge, and temperament tester. He co-chaired the War Dog Committee, and is responsible for having erected the statue “Always Faithful” in Guam in honor of the courageous Doberman Pinschers that valiantly served during the war in the Pacific. He has also been an active member of the DPCA for many years, serving as its President and Vice-President for 4 years, and Director for 6 years. He also served on several DPCA committees including Judges Education and, was Chairman of the DPCA Schutzhund Committee. He presently serves on their ROM committee and is a Register of Merit Evaluator.

A licensed Great Dane judge and member of the Great Dane Club of America, Ray is also past President and member of the Rockland County Kennel Club (all breed), member of DVG and USA Schutzhund clubs, member of the Abteilund Kiel (Doberman Verein in Germany), founding member and past President of the Doberman Pinscher Club of the Tappan Zee, and a member of the Great Dane Club of America. He served as President and Treasurer of the American Working Dog Federation (AWDF) since its inception. In 2003, Ray was approved by the AKC to judge German Pinschers and had the honor of judging the first AKC National Championship for the German Pinscher Club of America (GPCA).

During the 1970’s Ray published Top Dobe and The World of The Working Dog magazines. It was during that time that he originated the “Top 20” event, later turning it over to the DPCA. The event has not only endured, it has become one of the most prestigious and well-attended of Doberman events. It has been hosted annually in conjunction with the DPCA National Specialty since 1973, celebrating it’s 32nd anniversary this year. A number of other national breed clubs in the U.S. and abroad now hold their own Top 20 events.

Ray and his family share their home in Warwick, NY with several Dobermans.