Table Talk • September 17, 2025
We are only a couple of weeks away from some of the most exciting dog shows of the year! The first week of October kicks off with the Morris and Essex Kennel Club dog show. It will take place at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey on Wednesday, October 1st. M&E is followed by Hatboro Kennel Club on Thursday and Friday at Macungie Park in Macungie, PA, Devon Dog Show Association in Ludwigs Corner, PA on Saturday, and the greatest Terrier Show on Earth, Montgomery County Kennel Club at Macungie Park on Sunday. There will also be many Terrier Specialties held at Macungie Park on Saturday.
Entries for Morris and Essex closed last Wednesday and, not surprisingly, it reached its limit with 4,455 dogs entered! This show is usually held every fifth year; however, prior to the 2025 show, the 2020 show was postponed due to the pandemic and was held in 2021. As a result, it has only been four years since the last show. Hopefully, we will see large entries at the associated shows as well.
“M&E” is jam-packed with tradition. It is truly a celebration of the sport of purebred dogs. If you have never attended, you must get your vintage outfit ready and come out and enjoy the celebration of the tradition and history of our sport.
I am sure that those who exhibit in Southern California have noticed a decline in the number of dog shows in that area. With some kennel clubs folding due to lack of membership and funds, and others having difficulty finding affordable, suitable venues, it has become a challenge to host dog shows there. It seems like SoCal clubs that are still active oftentimes run up against other shows that are not that far away by west coast standards. The result is smaller entries for all. The AKC has rules governing the minimum distance between shows, and short of enforcing those guidelines they do not get involved with competing shows. Kennel Clubs can apply to have a three-day weekend if there are no shows within 500 miles of the requested show date. My question is: Can we all work together to avoid having competing shows on the same dates, so it does not affect the entries of the other clubs? Given the reduced number of clubs in the Southern California area, this would benefit everyone–kennel clubs, exhibitors, and the entire fancy. There are a lot of dates available on the calendar for Southern California and Arizona shows. So, how can get clubs to work together to develop a non-competitive schedule, so we can increase entries, and have more successful shows in the area?
This past weekend I was at Purina Farms for the Hound and Sporting shows, and the Three Rivers Kennel Club all-breed shows. The entry at the all-breed show was slightly under 700, and groups were held at 1:30 each day. The show concluded at a very respectable hour. The all-breed shows in Amarillo, Texas had a lower entry and group judging began at 3:30. Exhibitors were wondering why group judging did not begin an hour earlier, which would have allowed that show to end at least an hour earlier.
Show Chairs can take an active role in working with the Show Superintendent to ensure judging runs as expediently as possible. With an already full plate, this may seem like an arduous task, but finishing early is greatly appreciated by exhibitors and judges alike.
We are sending healing thoughts to Ryan Wolfe. Many of you know he was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Ryan’s surgery went well, and there is a treatment plan in place. We all know you will kick this in the butt, Ryan, and we are cheering for your quick return to running lefts! Best wishes for a full, speedy recovery!
Terri Giannetti is sidelined while she heals from hip replacement surgery. Terri won’t let this keep her down for long, and we hope she will be back in the ring sooner rather than later.
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Holley Eldred, Bill Ellis, Tyler Mills, Michael Shepherd, Leslie Racine, Grahm Swayze, Paul Martin, Annmarie Ruggieri, Sandi Olsen, Vickie Mauk, Alaina Moulton, Angela Pickett, Breanna Uyeno, David Stout, Debbie Thornton, Danie Magee, Tessie Savage and Sam Marquis. My birthday wish for all of you is a prosperous year filled with the realization of your dreams and inspiration for the future. Enjoy!
A wise word of advice to my fellow fanciers: Disrespect can permanently shut doors that apologies cannot re-open!
Be safe in your travels. I hope to see many of you at Morris and Essex, Hatboro and Montgomery County. Until next time…
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