Table Talk · September 24, 2025
At the last AKC Delegates meeting, the proposal to increase the hiatus to run for the AKC Board from one year to four years was voted down. This is the seventh time the delegate body has voted down such a proposal. I wonder how we feel about this as a community.
The American Kennel Club is the organization that provides the infrastructure for our sport. The Board helps shape the policies that, among other things, promote the sport of purebred dogs. We hope those individuals who have been elected to serve on the Board have the best interests of the sport as their top priority. While continuity can be productive, with the changing times, new ideas must be explored with the goal of increasing interest in our sport and ensuring the infrastructure runs efficiently. Sadly, it is my humble opinion that discouraging a healthy turnover of Board Members might stifle the forward-thinking that is necessary to achieve that goal. We all need to put on our thinking caps and determine a way to encourage those on the Board to think about the sport first. I would love to hear ideas and thoughts from you! Reach out to me at deb.cooper@caninechronicle.com or comment here.
Last weekend in Florida, fanciers got together and celebrated the retirement of AKC Executive Field Representative Mike Szabo aka “Mr. Sparkles”. I’ve known Mike for many years–since his handling days in the Ohio area when he and Bill Sahloff were a team. He has had a long career in the sport of dogs. Prior to becoming a field representative, Mike was a superintendent for MB-F. He will be missed at the shows in his AKC capacity, but I sincerely hope we still get to see him at shows in the future.
A few months ago, I wrote about our friend, Hannah Ralston, who was embarking upon a frightening journey while pregnant. You see, Hannah was diagnosed with cancer. I am happy to report that Hannah’s baby is now three months old, and Hannah has completed her last chemotherapy treatment. Congratulations Hannah! Your bravery and determination is an inspiration to us all! We look forward to seeing you soon.
We are just a week away from Morris & Essex, and the Greatest Terrier Show on Earth, Montgomery County Kennel Club. To say I am excited is an understatement! I am pleased to bring you Table Talk Live coverage from Morris & Essex, Hatboro, the Terrier Specialties the day preceding Montgomery County, and Montgomery County KC on Sunday!
As a fancier, I look at Montgomery County as “Terrier School”. I look forward to picking the brains of my Terrier aficionado friends and talking all things Terrier! Look for some great interviews, in-ring videos, and updates from this very special week on the dog calendar.
I think you all will agree that, in general, tempers have been hot, and emotions have been heavy recently. I would like to share some sound words of wisdom from Tyler Crady-Roche:
“I feel strongly that politics must not be dragged into our sport. The dog show community is built on passion for the dogs we love, dedication of the breeders and owners, the skill of handlers, and the camaraderie we all share. Bringing political agendas into this industry only divides us and distracts from the very reason we are here…THE DOGS.
I call on every breeder-owner, handler, photographer, business, and enthusiast to leave politics at the door, and keep our community focused on what unites us. Let us honor the dogs, the sport, and each other with respect, compassion, and integrity.
Be the person your dog thinks you are!”
Once again, The Canine Chronicle will be publishing a 2026 calendar in partnership with the AKC Canine Health Foundation. This calendar is mailed to all AKC judges with the November/December issue of The Canine Chronicle. There are still a few spots remaining if you would like to showcase your dog in the calendar and help a great cause in the process! As an extra bonus, ads in the Canine Health Foundation calendar are tax deductible! For more information contact Fleming Samuels at the Canine Health Foundation. Her email address is Fleming.Samuels@akcchf.org.
Happy anniversary to Paul Clas and Chrystal Murray! I can’t wait to hear what awesome trip you lovebirds are going on to celebrate your anniversary! May you have many, many more amazing travels and happy years ahead!
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Colton Johnson, Jim Moses, Liz Powell, Vesta Rash, Linda Pitts, Brittany Greendeer, Mandy Clevenger, Anthony Cantor, Kristina Rock, Erika Lanasa, and Monica Bowers. Best wishes for a great year ahead, and a very special celebration on your special day!
For those of you attending the Golden Retriever National Specialty at Purina Farms, I will see you there! Stop by the Purina Hospitality booth and say hi! After that, I am then eastward bound for Morris & Essex, and the other action-packed shows!
Be safe out there my friends! Until next time…
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