The Gossip Column: January 23, 2026

Weather at the dog shows in Brooksville, Florida can bring anything from picture perfect to something less desirable. Last week was no exception when two of the second set of five consecutive days of shows were canceled. The Wednesday and Sunday shows were hit by high winds. We hear that the Sunday weather did clear up and some have suggested that the judging should have been delayed. Understand clubs really don’t want to cancel their events and all that that entails but safety for all must prevail. Following our joint venture of holding a dog show in Mexico under AKC rules, in another kumbaya move, the American Kennel Club will now allow Canadian dogs who have earned eligible Canadian Kennel Cub titles in Obedience, Agility and Rally to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. Canadian dogs that are registered or listed  with the American Kennel Club can now have those titles included on their AKC pedigrees. Dogs that have been eligible in the past can also apply. As someone who has many international conformation champions, will this courtesy be available to conformation exhibitors? The General Meeting for the members of the MORRIS & ESSEX CLUB will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 7 P.M. following the board meeting. It will be a Zoom meeting as it has in the past. You will be updated  by email as the meeting date approaches. The very sad passing of MARCELO CHAGAS has saddened all who were lucky enough to know him. Moving to the United States from his native Brazil, he and his then partner FLAVIO WERNECK took this country by storm. They achieved the great success they deserved but MARCELO never lost his humility and humbleness. It’s no wonder why MARCELO was awarded the Handler of the Year at the PURINA PRO PLAN SHOW DOGS OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER partnered with DOG NEWS. All of us at DOG NEWS send our deepest sympathies to his husband ROGER CHAGAS and family in Brazil and a host of friends around the World. Sympathies also to friends and family of CAROLYN KINLEY who recently passed away at 90 years old. She founded Shersan Kennels in 1957. For nearly 70 years she has bred and exhibited many dogs, including her Bernese Mountain Dog Ch. Sherman Chang O’Pace V Halidon, CD who still holds the best in show record. His show career highlights include his Westminster Working Group win in 1985 handled by her daughter BOBBI KINLEY BLEWETT, who has established herself as a very successful professional handler.