The Gossip Column: December 6, 2024

The big ending of the dog-show calendar year is nearly upon us as we travel to Orlando for the week-long AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP presented by ROYAL CANIN. Dogs, their owners and handlers have worked hard and traveled far and wide to get to Orlando. I wish you all the best of luck, as I know firsthand the experience of the highs and lows of this weekend. I would be remiss if I didn't mention how saddened I was to hear that TERRY STACY had to decline his Best in Show assignment at the AKC show. TERRY is a great dog man and has given his life to the sport. We all owe him our thanks, and there will be a large hole in the Best in Show ring on Sunday evening. ...

While TERRY is still very much with us, it reminds of the sad passing of GEIR FLYCKT-PEDERSEN, who was to judge Best in Show at WESTMINSTER in 2023 and had to be replaced. Fortunately, both were replaced with very competent and respected judges in BETH SWEIGART and CARL LIEPMANN. ...

It’s a busy and tiring week, but remember that on Thursday evening, the annual CANINES & COCKTAILS PARTY hosted by TINA & BILL TRUESDALE benefits the AKC CANINE HEALTH FOUNDATION. It’s always a well-attended, high-energy evening. The event is held a stone’s throw from the show venue at the ROSEN HOTEL. ...

While we speculate on who the big show winner will be, other upcoming decisions are about to be determined with the delegates running for the board seats. There are nine delegates running for the four available seats on the board of directors of the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB. Each will give a three-minute speech to the delegate body on his or her own unique qualifications at the delegates meeting, which will take place this coming week. We certainly don't want a filibuster, but can’t we allow a little more than three minutes for a potential board member to explain his or her qualifications and vision for the future? The answer to this election will be provided at the annual delegates meeting in March. ...

A gentle reminder from AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB president DENNIS SPRUNG to make sure that your breed is represented in the upcoming MEET THE BREEDS to be held at Manhattan’s Javits Center on January 25 and 26. It’s one of the best ways we have available to promote purebred dogs in the most favorable light. Last year, attendance was more than 30,000 visitors. Check with your parent club to confirm that your breed is represented.  …

Celebrating Birthdays … MARGARET POINDEXTER, DESI MURPHY, EVAN THRELFALL, PAULA SPECTOR, CLINT LIVINGSTON, POLLY LAMARINE, DONNA JOHNSTON, BILL RECHLER, EVELYN RECHLER, CLAIRE NEWCOMBE, CATHI DIGIACOMO, JANE DOTY, PATTI PROCTOR, GWEN MEYER, ED THOMAS, HEATHER REKOW, ASHLEY CUZZOLINO, REMY SMITH-LEWIS, JESSY SUTTON, ROXANNE SUTTON, MARCELO SANTIAGO, KIMBERLIE STEELE, GARY STEELE, OSCAR QUIROS, LORI LAWRENCE, MARTI JOHNSON and BEVERLY VICS.