From The York County Kennel Club of Maine Board of Directors

Due to extenuating circumstances, the York County Kennel Club has made the difficult decision to cancel our May 16-17, 2026 shows.

This was not a decision we entered into lightly and we know how much you were looking forward to the show.

We appreciate the continued support the dog show community has shown us.

Exhibitors, vendors, and suppliers will be contacted to arrange refunds where necessary.

At this time, we are looking ahead to 2027 and hope to see you at our future events.

The Norwegian Lundehund, the only dog bred to hunt puffins, is truly one-of-a-kind. With six fully functional toes, a neck that can bend back to touch its spine, ears that fold shut to keep water out, and ultra-flexible shoulders that allow the forelegs to extend perpendicular to the body, this medium- to high-energy breed is as extraordinary as it is rare. Though scarce in the United States, breeds like the Norwegian Lundehund have centuries of history, serving a variety of purposes such as herding, hunting, and carting.

“Rare breeds are living treasures,” said Gina M. DiNardo, AKC President and CEO. “By shining a spotlight on these extraordinary breeds, we hope to educate the public and inspire responsible ownership. Choosing a rare breed is more than gaining a unique companion, it’s helping preserve a living piece of history. Every dog deserves a great home, and knowledge empowers owners to make the right choice for their lifestyle. Choosing to work with a responsible breeder to bring home one of these rare breeds is not just a personal joy, it helps ensure these remarkable dogs continue to thrive for generations to come.”

The 2025 rarest breeds in the United States are:

For more information, visit www.akc.org.

The Windward Hawaiian DFA has cancelled their All Breed Show this weekend, Saturday & Sunday April 11 & 12, 2026, due to inclement weather.

In July 2025, PETA filed a petition seeking to compel AKC to take action under its Charter and Bylaws in response to PETA’s complaints and to declare that AKC acted improperly in its handling of the complaints under Article 78. The petition also sought to prevent AKC from continuing to use the official breed standards for the Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, Dachshund, and Chinese Shar-Pei.

In September 2025, AKC filed a Motion to Dismiss, arguing, among other points, that Article 78 does not apply to the claims presented and that PETA lacked standing to bring the case. PETA subsequently opposed the motion.

The Court has now granted AKC’s Motion to Dismiss and denied PETA’s petition. In its decision, the Court affirmed that AKC is a private, not-for-profit organization and that PETA is not a member, nor subject to AKC authority, discipline or regulation, and thus AKC’s actions are not subject to review in an Article 78 proceeding.

“This decision reinforces AKC’s role as a private organization and our ability to uphold the standards and governance processes that are central to our mission,” said Gina M. DiNardo, President and CEO of the American Kennel Club. “We remain focused on what matters most, the preservation of purebred dogs, advocating for all dogs and the people who care for them, and supporting the right of individuals and families to choose the dog that is right for their household.”

AKC views this outcome as a meaningful win for the organization, its breeds, and its National Breed Clubs, allowing continued dedication to its mission and the advancement of responsible dog ownership.

For more information, visit www.akc.org.

Richard Ansdell, Highland Tod, Fox Hunter, 1859. Oil on Canvas. Collection of the American Kennel Club

The American Kennel Club® Museum of the Dog is excited to announce its newest exhibition, Scotland, The Brave Dogs, which will run from March 26th, 2026, through July 12th, 2026.

Coinciding with New York’s Tartan Week, Scotland, The Brave Dogs, is an exhibition celebrating Scottish breeds through works by noted Scottish artists such as Edwin Douglas and Samuel Fulton, as well as renowned artists Sir Edwin Landseer, Richard Ansdell, John Sargent Noble, and George and Maud Earl.

More than a celebration of iconic breeds, the exhibition offers a window into the nation’s rich history and cultural legacy. Through the stories of these dogs, their roles, their evolution, and their deep connection to the land, we honor Scotland itself: its working traditions, its artistic heritage, and the remarkable dogs that helped shape both.

“It is always an honor when we get to highlight the exceptional work of dogs through art,” says Alan Fausel, Curator for the AKC Museum of the Dog. “We are excited to be celebrating Scotland, its culture, and the incredibly brave dogs that are deeply entwined with this nation.”

For more information on this exhibit or the AKC Museum of the Dog, please visit www.museumofthedog.org

Class of 2030
• Domenic Palleschi Carota, Delegate, Pharaoh Hound Club of America
• Jason Hoke, Delegate, Chain O’Lakes Kennel Club
• Sue Goldberg, Delegate, Lewiston-Auburn Kennel Club, Inc.

In addition, Dr. Thomas M. Davies (Springfield Kennel Club, Inc.) was re-elected as the Chairman of the Board and Dr. Michael Knight, PhD (Texas Kennel Club) was re-elected as Vice Chairman of the Board at a meeting of the AKC Board of Directors, convened after the Delegates Meeting.

Domenic Palleschi Carota

Jason Hoke

Sue Goldberg

From the South Windsor Kennel Club Facebook Page

It is with great regret we are notifying you that Springfield Kennel Club and South Windsor Kennel Club, for reasons beyond our control, have been forced to cancel our Spring Cluster shows on April 18, 2026 and April 19, 2026 in West Springfield, MA.

Several days ago, after months of our trying to pin down our written contract, Eastern States Exposition (ESE) personnel informed us that they have rented all suitable buildings on the grounds to other entities and have no building available for us, despite the fact that our shows have been held at ESE for decades. Quite a shock and huge disappointment to say the least. For the past few days, we have made every effort to find an available alternate suitable venue, but with no success. Look for us again in 2027.

Wednesday, January 28th the Show is Delayed by 1 Hour, for all ring times. No catch up/make up of time from the delayed start.

From The Indy Winter Classic Cluster: “Due to the later time in us getting the building this year, exhibitors will likely not have access until after 6pm. Please understand this is for your safety. Be patient and allow HKC, DIKC & BIKC to get the reserved grooming marked, dog exercise pens put together, rings set up, the vendors to get set up, and everything that makes this event run smoothly. Thank you for understanding and please travel safe!”

Visit the Cluster Website for more updates: https://hoosierkennelclub.org/iwc.html

The St. Charles Missouri Kennel Club Show & Gateway Vizsla Club scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, January 24 & 25 have been cancelled due to impending weather and safety concerns.

The show in West Friendship, MD held by Carroll Kennel Club is cancelled for Saturday & Sunday, January 24 & 25 due to the winter storm expected.

From The Carroll Kennel Club Show Committee: “Carroll Kennel Club has decided to cancel both days for this weekend. This was a hard decision for them to make. A major factor is having to replace several judges who have requested to cancel their assignment for fear of not being able to get back home safely. The club respects their safety and need to be home during this potentially intense storm. This in addition to the other workers and club members that would have needed to attend the show.”