From The Publisher

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10 – October, 2025

By Tom Grabe

Walk into most AKC member and non-member club meetings to-day, and a reality sets in: Our clubs are aging. Dedicated, passionate fanciers still carry the torch, but the average age of membership rises each year. The concern isn’t only numbers–it’s about ensuring the future of our sport, our dogs, and the institutions that protect them.

Local kennel clubs are the foundation of the fancy. They host shows, educate the public, and mentor new fanciers. But without younger members, those efforts will fade. The next generation is already here–at shows, in handling classes, at events promoting purebred dogs. The challenge is drawing them into club life and helping them feel valued.

So how do we bridge the gap?

First, we must recognize that younger participants experience the sport differently. They are digital natives, used to fast communication and flexible schedules. Long, formal meetings may bore them. Hybrid meetings, shorter agendas, and using group apps for communication make involvement easier.

Click here to read the complete article
10 – October, 2025

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Posted by AnthonyA on Oct 7 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.