The Gossip Column: April 4, 2025

This week marked a footnote in American dogdom as GINA M. DINARDO became the second woman to be the PRESIDENT and CEO of the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB. All of us at DOG NEWS wish her the best of luck and congratulate her on this well-deserved promotion. ...

Recent weather-related damage resulted in the temporary closing of the PURINA PRO PLAN EVENT CENTER, but the venue will be up and running just in time for the upcoming annual POODLE CLUB OF AMERICA NATIONAL SPECIALTY. ...

Longtime Afghan Hound fancier and sculptor SUSAN BAHARY also serves as the chairperson of the NATIONAL SERVICE ANIMALS MEMORIAL. She has created bronze sculptures that feature dogs at the MILITARY WOMEN’S MEMORIAL at Arlington National Cemetery and the UNITED STATES NAVY MEMORIAL in Washington, D. C. The combined passion of showing dogs and art in the form of sculpture has led to this unique life. ...

A planned trip to France that will combine dog shows and a leisurely holiday in the South of France will take Francophiles LAURIE GREEN and JODY PAQUETTE and granddaughter and daughter, respectively, there later this year. ...

Now that WOOD WORNALL and BARBARA BENTLEY have settled into their new home back in WOODY’S hometown of Kansas City, there are off to judge and see the sights of Japan. They have now lived on both coasts, California and Delaware, but find they are happiest in the Midwest. ...

On the last day of this year, December 31, 2025, three new breeds will be competing in their respective groups. It is quite an international trio: The AMERICAN TEDDY ROOSEVELT TERRIER will join the Terrier Group, the BASSET FAUVE DE BRETAGNE will compete in the Hound Group, and the RUSSIAN TSVETNAYA BOLONKA will be competing in the Toy Group. ...

Five kennel clubs are celebrating their centennials: BERKS COUNTY KENNEL CLUB, FIRST COMPANY GOVERNORS FOOT GUARD ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, INTERMOUNTAIN KENNEL CLUB, WOLVERINE BEAGLE CLUB and the WORCESTER COUNTY KENNEL CLUB. ...

Three of the 103 breeds listed on the 2024 low-entry breed list have raised in their numbers and have been removed for 2025: They are the American Hairless Terrier, Beauceron and Chow Chow. Conversely, six breeds have been added to the 2025 low-entry breed list: the Belgian Sheepdog, Bouvier des Flandres, the newly recognized Danish-Swedish Farmdog, Giant Schnauzer, Gordon Setter and the once very popular Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier bring the total of low-entry breeds to 106.