Carl Liepmann, "the dog guy", looks back on a life spent with animals

FLUSHING TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- It's difficult to sum up the life of a Flushing Township man who has done so much and accomplished a lot.

He is someone who has a deep and abiding love for family and animals, has mastered several high-level positions and to this day remains humble and thankful.

"I go to the store to go buy something and if somebody doesn't know my name, oh, you're the dog guy," he said.

Many people know him, especially if they love dogs.

Training and showing dogs came first for him.

"In 1960, I got my first golden retriever. and then the history from there is that I started training that dog," explained Liepmann.

Then came judging dog competitions. Pure breds are his specialty and 45 years later, at the age of 87, he's still at it.

"My career in judging has been amazing. It's been all over the world. I've judged in Australia. I've judged in China and Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Scotland, England. It's just been everywhere," added Liepmann.

He credits his stamina to his hour-long workouts at the gym three days a week.

Liepmann stays active and keeps moving, but misses his traveling companion and cherished wife, Jan, who passed away 21 years ago at 62 because of leukemia.

"It was a lot more fun when my wife could go with me. However, she only went with me where the shopping was good," chuckled Liepmann.

His companions now are the older Gunner the Labrador Retriever, who has competed in his share of his shows, and three-year-old Winston the Golden Retriever, his current show dog.

Both dogs have excelled as seen by the colorful display of ribbons at his home.

Along with his love for his canine companions, Liepmann is an avid hunter and showcases a huge display of animals in the house he built, where he says he laid his hands on every log.

On his coffee table sits a book, "Carl Liepmann A Collection of Life Stories," he wrote with help and encouragement from his granddaughter and daughter.

"The Santa dog program started 42 years ago."

The Santa Dog Program, a fundraiser for the Genesee County Humane Society, is one more item on a long list of accomplishments, which include:

It's difficult to pick his most cherished memories, but one stands out.

"Obviously judging at the AKC National Show doing best in show, which is a great honor to be asked to do that," emphasized Liepmann.

He has learned at least one main lesson in life.

"Try to be nice to people. if you're nice to people, they'll be nice to you," said Liepmann.

Liepmann, the Dog Guy, plans on staying nice and not stopping any time soon.

He and his wife also established the "Jan Liepmann Memorial Scholarship" which is awarded to a Flushing High School graduate, who plans to pursue a college vocal music degree.