Around The Rings – Woofstock

Click here to read the complete article 222 – July, 2026

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs and a leading advocate for canine health, welfare, and responsible dog ownership, is pleased to announce the winners of the AKC National Obedience Championship and AKC Rally® National Championship. More than 800 dogs from across the country competed in the two […]

Once upon a time, very long ago, my husband and I made our first trip to England to visit two breeders whose acquaintance we made at a specialty show in San Diego, California. In talking with each other, we discovered we had a lot in common. We both had acquired Cavalier King Charles Spaniels from the same line, and had several dogs related to each other. Both of the gentlemen were eager for us to visit them. The opportunity to actually see their dogs and those from other breeders in England was too good to refuse.

There’s always an uproar at the World Show. One of the “scandals” this year was a dog winning BOB under a judge who was also its breeder. Fortunately, AKC would never allow that—right?

The AKC Museum of the Dog has unveiled the winners of its Dog Days of Summer Members Art Competition, a juried exhibition celebrating artistic talent and the enduring inspiration of dogs. Following an impressive collection of submissions and thoughtful deliberation by the judges, the winning works are now on display. From sculptures to oil paintings, […]

There was a time when the conversation always began with type. When breeders spoke, they spoke of heads and boning, of expression and balance, of silhouettes that told a story long before the animal ever took a step. We discussed virtues, forgave faults, and measured excellence against the standard, not against popularity. But somewhere along the way, the conversation shifted. The dialogue quieted. And in its place rose something far louder, far emptier: hype.

Thank you to those who have taken the time to share their concerns and comments regarding the Unattended Dogs in Vehicles Policy adopted by the Board at its July 2026 meeting. We appreciate the thoughtful feedback and recognize that exhibitors, breeders, handlers, and judges have a strong interest in ensuring that policies affecting the care and welfare […]

“Join now! It’s easy to apply!” That’s on the Golden Retriever Club of America website, and I can practically see a Golden Retriever wagging its tail and inviting me in for a cup of coffee as a new member.

Why did the AKC adopt this new policy? Following several recent incidents involving dogs left unattended in vehicles, including situations that resulted in serious injury and death, the AKC Board of Directors determined that stronger safeguards were necessary to help prevent future tragedies and reinforce the shared responsibility of exhibitors, handlers, and owners to protect […]

At its July 2026 meeting, the AKC Board of Directors approved a new policy and related disciplinary changes to strengthen protections for dogs at AKC events. The health, safety, and wellbeing of dogs are at the heart of everything AKC does. In recent months, several incidents involving dogs left unattended in vehicles have resulted in […]