Table Talk • September 3, 2025
As I write this week’s Table Talk on Labor Day, I find myself so very thankful for everyone in the sport of purebred dogs. I celebrated a birthday this past week, and I received so many birthday wishes. It was unbelievable! My involvement in the sport is the reason I have such a huge network of friends. I think we all need to occasionally reflect about how lucky we are to be involved with such an amazing group of people. While reflecting, I encourage you to think about how to give back to the sport we all love. If you have the opportunity to help out a club, a new exhibitor, or introduce someone to our sport, please do it.
I hear so many veteran fanciers say the sport is not what it used to be. Part of getting back to that “what it used to be” is up to each one of us. Look for ways to help out!
A great example of “what it used to be” happened this past weekend at the Amana, Iowa Cluster. The club held a chili cook-off one evening, complete with live music. Fanciers were able to spend a nice evening socializing and celebrating the sport of purebred dogs. This type of evening is not possible without volunteers who come up with the ideas and execute them! Kudos to all of the volunteers that made the evening possible!
Another great example is the Juniors Jamboree and Pee-Wee Event that will be put on by the Southern Handlers Charity League at the Austin Texas Kennel Club shows in Belton, TX on September 19-21. Last year’s event attracted a great crowd of Juniors and Pee-Wees, and they are hoping for an even better turnout this year! They are looking for professionals to put on mini seminars; so, if you are able, please reach out to David Williams, who is coordinating the event at PeidayCSP1@aol.com. I’m sure he can use all the help he can get!
The premium list for the 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is now available. A few highlights are:
- The show will be limited to 2,500 dogs
- The top 5 in each breed and National Specialty Winners will be invited. The qualification period for the 2026 show is October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Junior Showmanship qualification requires 7 or more Best Junior wins at AKC shows between October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Juniors must be at least 9 years of age and under 18 years of age at the time of each Junior Showmanship win.
- Invitees are welcome to pre-enter on November 7, 2025, or when the invite list is posted–whichever is sooner.
- Entries close November 21, 2025.
If you have not booked your hotel accommodations for this very special 150th celebration of purebred dogs in New York City, I suggest you do so as soon as possible. Hotels are sure to sell out fast.
Our sport experienced great loss this past week with the passing of Robert “Bob” Stein. Bob was a renowned Afghan Hound breeder and AKC judge. His judging career spanned over 50 years. Not only was Bob a great judge and Afghan Hound fancier, but he was also my friend. I always looked forward to every time I saw Bob and Helen. Bob was tough on me, but it made me a better dog person! My sincere sympathies to Helen and the rest of Bob’s family. He will surely be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Florence Males, former AKC Representative, AKC Judge, and Silky Terrier fancier, passed away last week. Sincere sympathies to Florence’s family and friends at this very sad time.
Happy anniversary to George and Linda Marquis, and Tim and Megan Terella. Best wishes for another great year to you lovebirds!
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Tanner Congleton, Kathy Harrington, Eddie Dziuk, Susan Shephard, Bri Major-Weber, Connie Clark, Darla Kays-Daugherty, and Bonny Datema. Have the best day and the best year yet my friends!!
Be safe out there, my friends. I’ll see you down the road! Until next time…
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