• Gina M. DiNardo – President and CEO

 • Theodore E. Phillips, CPA – Chief Financial Officer

 • Sheila Goffe – Executive Secretary

Ms. DiNardo brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the AKC, with over 50 years of experience in the sport of purebred dogs as both a breeder and owner-handler. She has worked at the AKC for more than 30 years, having served as Executive Secretary for nine years prior to being elected as CEO in April 2025.

Ms. Goffe joined AKC in 2006 and was promoted to Vice President of Government Relations in 2016. She owns and breeds Siberian Huskies, having finished numerous champions from the Bred-By Exhibitor class. She is a member of the Siberian Husky Club of America and various specialty and all-breed kennel clubs. She was first elected as Executive Secretary in April 2025.

Mr. Phillips joined AKC in May 2020 with over 38 years of experience in financial leadership roles with Carnegie Hall, Merrill Lynch, and Deloitte. He is a committee member and lecturer for the New York State CPA Society and AICPA.

The Canine Chronicle is saddened to share the passing of Ralph Del Deo. He passed peacefully on March 25, 2026, at the age of 101.

By Jordan Moore

I have been incredibly fortunate to become an advocate for assistants through the opportunity to publicly write for The Canine Chronicle. One of the most frequent questions I am asked is, “How do you not get burnt out?” The truth is, that is a complicated question.

When I was working for Erin Piercy-Foreman in California, she said something that has stayed with me ever since: this is a passion-based job. This is not a 9-to-5 job where you clock out and go home. You must truly love what you do to show dogs. Over the years, that statement has been proven to be true time and time again.

Every single person in this sport, not just assistants, begins for the same reason. We love the dogs. From there, exhibitors choose different paths. For many, becoming an assistant is about education. It is about learning the craft, understanding presentation, conditioning, timing, ring awareness, client relationships, and the countless details that go into being successful in this sport.

Now, let us get into the reality of it.

Click here to read the complete article
186 – April, 2026

Tickets are officially on sale for the 151st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show — one of the world’s most iconic and anticipated canine events.

Experience three days of elite competition as more than 2,500 champion dogs showcase their skill, beauty, and athleticism.

Westminster Week begins with our Canine Celebration on Saturday, January 30, 2027, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, followed by all daytime events on Monday and Tuesday. Evening group judging and Best in Show will take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden on February 1-2, 2027.

This is your chance to witness the excitement and tradition that define Westminster. From breed judging to the crowning of Best in Show, every moment promises something unforgettable.

Secure your seats now and be part of the 2027 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Visit our website for tickets and full event details here.

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.

By Caroline Coile

In many species, odd colors are welcomed to the point that sometimes entire breeds are created around them. But in dogs, we tend to be conservative, especially when a color is related to possible health problems. We like our merle dogs to remain in our merle breeds, and our standards disallow the results of merle to merle breedings. They certainly disallow merles in non-merle breeds, silvers in non-silver breeds, and albinos in every breed. That said, the pet market has a demand for off-color dogs in every popular breed. Could the next fad “rarity” be colorpoints?

And how do these relate to albinos and Burmese-like patterned dogs?

Albinism and colorpoints are well-known in many mammals. In most of them, both traits appear to be caused by recessive alleles on the C locus. But that does not appear to be the case with dogs. In dogs, colorpoint is still caused by a recessive mutation at the C locus, but albinism is not.

What does seem to be shared throughout species with these coat patterns is some kind of mutation that affects the production of the tyrosinase enzyme that produces melanin. But the mutation need not be on the C-locus, as we shall see is the case in dogs.

Albino Dogs

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180 – April, 2026

At one point or another, we have all used the phrase, “never a dull moment.”  That saying was proven again this past week in Perry, Georgia. It seems a disagreement with a club parking official at the cluster in Perry, Georgia resulted in professional handler Rebecca Cross spending two hours in jail.  The showgrounds is a state facility, and due to her arrest, she was banned from the grounds. A bench hearing was held, and she had to attend it via phone due to this ban.  The hearing resulted in charges to be determined with suspension dependent upon AKC review; and as a result, Rebecca could not show her dogs at the shows. I am told this situation will now be referred to AKC’s committee that reviews Bench Committee proceedings.  The handler has requested a stay of her suspension. Her request was granted, and as a result she will be allowed to show dogs while awaiting the decision from AKC.

This situation is multi-faceted as there are questions about the manner in which this individual was allegedly treated during her arrest, including a claim of physical abuse, which is a law enforcement matter; and the actual AKC complaint which falls under the purview of the American Kennel Club.

 Fortunately, fanciers rose to the occasion to ensure that the accused dogs were cared for and shown.  A huge shout-out to Kelsey Jesseph, Brittany Phelps, Tracy Szaras, Kellie Williams, Milton Lopes and Lois DeMers who lent a hand!

 In July 2025, the AKC was served with a Petition filed by PETA in New York Supreme Court that asked the court to require AKC to act in PETA’s complaints under the AKC Charter and Bylaws.  In September 2025 AKC filed a motion to dismiss.  AKC has received an order from the court granting its Motion to Dismiss and denying PETA’s petition.  (See full press release here:  https://caninechronicle.com/breaking-news/the-american-kennel-club-announces-court-dismissal-of-peta-petition/).  Kudos to the American Kennel Club legal department for getting this frivolous complaint dismissed.

 I was saddened to hear of the passing of AKC Judge and dedicated fancier Howard Yost.  Howard was known by many as a very kind man.  He was an English Cocker Spaniel Breeder and a dedicated member of the Forsyth Kennel Club.  Our sincere condolences to Howard’s friends and family at this most difficult time.  He will be missed.

 Heads up to all aspiring Terrier judges!  On Thursday, May 28^th there will be a terrific education opportunity at the Purina Event Center 30 minutes after the conclusion of Best In Show.  Terrier Treasures, a Judges’ Deep Dive, will offer education with Terrier Breeders, Judges, and Fanciers of Cesky Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers, Bedlington Terriers, Dandie Didmont Terriers, and Sealyham Terriers.  Those who wish to take advantage of this awesome opportunity should reach out to Scot Johnson for more information. His email address is  Scot.R.Johnson@gmail.com.

With National Specialty season upon us, please remember that the Canine Chronicle is happy to post your big specialty wins.  Please send candid photograph, registered name of dog, owners, breeders, show name, judges name, date and location to showresults@caninechronicle.com  Please note that specialty wins are self-reported, and we will do our best to have those wins posted within 48-72 hours.

Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Eddie Baute Abu-Amsha, Lynda Beam, John Ramirez, Benjie Marcus, Nannette Newbury, Brian Livingston, Brianne Rock, Bryan Martin, Rosie Steinke, Chrystal Murray, John Magenau, and Courtney Norris.  Today is the first day of the rest of your lives, my friends!

Here are some words of encouragement for all:

If you never try, you’ll never see what you are capable of.  You will never know how far you could have gone or what doors could have opened for you.  The unknown feels scary, but it is also where growth lives.  Uncertainty is not the enemy, it is possibility!  Take the step.  What’s waiting for you might be bigger than your fear!

Be safe out there, my friends!  I look forward to seeing everyone at a show soon!  Until next time…

What exactly is a dog show, and who are the people that make it happen? Why do these events produce such unforgettable characters and such excellent comedy?

Join us and Harper’s Magazine on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 6:00pm, as we pull back the show curtain and turn the spotlights towards our star-studded panel featuring Andrew Norman (Norm) Wilson (artist/author), Donald Sturz (President of the Westminster Kennel Club), and moderator Jess Bergman (Harper’s senior editor).

The evening will begin with a reading of Norm’s fiction feature “That Telltale Tingle” from the March issue of Harper’s Magazine. From there, the panel will dive into a conversation about what’s really happening behind the scenes at a dog show and the unexpected moments that make this world so compelling. “That Telltale Tingle” offers a fictionalized glimpse into Westminster through the eyes of an artist and estranged insider, while Don Sturz brings firsthand experience as a former Westminster Junior Showmanship Champion and current President of Westminster. Moderated by Jess Bergman, the discussion will also explore the surprising parallels between dog shows and the art world, where performance and passion collide, sometimes tumultuously.

You’ll leave with answers to questions you never knew you had about dog shows and the remarkable people who bring them to life.

This is a dog-friendly event, and guests are invited to stay after the panel for a meet-and-greet with the participants.

Tickets and More Information Here

By Lisa Dubé Forman

The future of purebred dog breeding may be hanging by a thread. Whether it is your hobby or your life’s calling, its future teeters on the tough realities we confront, ‘running dogs’ every day. Our sport and passion clash with growing costs that threaten all but the wealthiest or luckiest among us. Can ethical, small-scale purebred breeding survive today’s economic pressures?

As many of us have read, the AKC has been grappling with Net Operating Losses, largely because of declining dog registration revenue. Post-COVID, numbers have fallen below 2018 registration levels, revealing a sharp decline from the 1990 peaks. Breeders’ financial struggles are clearly influencing this steady shrinkage in registration numbers.

The inescapable macroeconomic factor is the rising cost of veterinary care, which is soaring and outpacing most breeders’ ability to keep up. Pet health insurance for a kennel full of dogs is a fantasy for many. Multi-dog policies are financially unattainable, and even basic plans are full of loopholes, require add-ons, or are capped at meager annual sums like $5,000 or lifetime caps of $10,000. The situation worsens as major insurers like Nationwide have canceled 100,000 or more policies, abandoning countless dogs–many aging or already ill–without coverage. Others may soon follow.

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166 – April, 2026

Did you correctly answer this week’s #ThrowbackThursday?

Answer: Justin Smithey showing CH Bo-Bett’s Open Button to Mrs. Keke Kahn, owned and bred by the late Carol Harris.

Don’t forget! Do you have a fun photo that you would like to share for #ThrowbackThursday? Email Liz Powell at showresults@caninechronicle.com with your photos!