LaMar was an AKC licensed all-breed handler, finishing various breed championships.  He won groups, multiple all-breed Bests in Shows and BISS.

   LaMar and Elaine have spent more than 53 years immersed in the world of dogs and dog shows.  Under the prefix of “LaMar’s”  Kennels, LaMar and Elaine’s breeding program of Cocker Spaniels (American) began in 1958, 53  years ago, and have breeder/owner/handled nearly 70 AKC cocker champions and additional top winning and producing champions around the world.    Among those champions was their breeder/owner/handled Ch. LaMar’s Ivory Summer who retired as the Top winning Cocker Spaniel bitch in the History of the Breed in 1969.  She along with her son, Ch. LaMar’s London, were a commanding influence on the cocker bloodlines and winners of the day.  Since that time they have bred the Top Winning Cocker Bitch All Varieties in 1998.  Since then, they have produced multiple group first winners and in recent years also have owned three of the breed’s top producing stud dogs who were excellent producers of quality winning and producing offspring.  Each of these stud dogs having produced Group, Specialty and All-Breed Best in Show winners and are inducted in the American Spaniel Club’s Hall of Distinction for dogs that have made valuable contributions to the breed.

    BIS BISS Ch. LaMar’s Bentley, UD CDX OA AAJ AXP AJP, sired by Ch. LaMar’s Montana, has been verified by AKC to be the First Sporting Dog to win an all-breed Best in Show while holding advanced performance titles.

   In January 2011 at the ASC Annual Flushing Spaniel Club show, Elaine and LaMar Mathis where honored with induction into the American Spaniel Club’s Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to the Cocker Spaniel breed.   They are life members of American Spaniel Club joining in 1966 and holding 45 years of membership.

   They now continue to breed on an extremely limited basis and find enjoyment in their judging assignments in each and every breed.