Are you ready for this week’s #ThrowbackThursday? Who do you recognize in this week’s Throwback Thursday?

Check back on Monday for the correct answer!

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

By Caroline Coile

How well do you know your AKC rules? Most people don’t bother to really study them until they unwittingly violate one and their dog loses its win–or worse. I’d advise everyone to sit down with the ‘AKC Rules Applying to Dog Shows’ before even entering their first show. I know I did. Even so, it seems every new reading reveals something I didn’t know before—and yes, I’ve lost wins because I thought I knew the rules when it turned out I didn’t. So this is the first of a series of common questions and misunderstandings when it comes to AKC rules, starting with one of the most misunderstood areas, NOHS. By the way, feel free to send any rules questions and I’ll try to research them and include them in future installments.

NOHS

1. You entered the Amateur-Owner-Handler class, but did not check the NOHS-eligible box. Your dog goes WD. Are you eligible for NOHS BOB? Yes. “Entries into the Amateur-Owner-Handler class are automatically entered into the NOHS.”

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284 – July, 2026

An update to the AKC Rules Applying to Dog Shows is being discussed by the AKC Delegate Rules Subcommittee. It would outline the responsibilities of an exhibitor entering a dog.  The proposed rule would prohibit an exhibitor from entering a dog under that exhibit’s breeder or co-breeder.  (See Caroline Coile’s article in our July issue - https://bt.e-ditionsbyfry.com/publication/?i=867164&p=206&view=issueViewer).  Some of you may question why this rule is necessary.  Why would an exhibitor put themselves, or the judge, in this very awkward position?  To me, it is a lose/lose situation.

If a judge is asked to pass judgment on a dog they may or may not know they bred, they are placed in a bad position. If they put the dog up, their ethics may be questioned. If they do not put the dog up, fanciers may question their faith in their own breeding program. The responsibility lies with the exhibitor. They know who bred their dog, and they know who is judging.

Most fanciers would not want to put their breeder in this awkward situation, but sadly, there are those who would. Does this create the need for another rule? As someone who learned this lesson the hard way, I believe this is a situation that does warrant documented guidance.

Many years ago, I was campaigning a top hound in a very tight race. One of the Hound Group judges at a show we decided to attend was the breeder of another hound that was also being campaigned. When we made our entries, we didn’t think this would be an issue. Surely that dog would not be shown to its breeder. We were wrong. When we arrived at the show and realized that dog was entered, we thought, surely, they won’t show in the group today. Wrong again. That dog was shown; it won the group, and our dog was second. So, I support the rule change.  What are your thoughts?  As mentioned in Caroline’s article, please send comments to the head of the Delegate Rule Subcommittee, Nancy Amburgey at Lopat@aol.com.

At its July meeting, the AKC Board voted to amend the requirements for examination of entries in the Group or Best In Show.  It reads, “Effective July 29, 2026, Group and Best In Show Judges will no longer be required to re-examine exhibits they judged earlier at the same event at the breed level for disqualifications, and to check for two normally descended testicles in male dogs.  Judges will be required to continue to individually gait all exhibits in the group, including those that they examined earlier.  While, prior to this rule, many judges have done a cursory exam of dogs they judged earlier in the day, they will no longer have to do so.”  The first communication sent by AKC eliminated a simple word “they” and the communication had to be re-sent.  I hope AKC starts to utilize its very able Communications Sub-Committee, and has them review all communications prior to being released.

Mark and Pam Desrosiers (and their son Josh) are celebrating their 27^th Wedding Anniversary in style by exploring Iceland on a Viking Cruise!  Thanks so much for sharing such wonderful photographs of what looks like a bucket-list experience, indeed!  Best wishes for many more years and adventures ahead.

Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Terri Giannetti, JoAnne Lionetti Gerow, Stuart McGraw, Karen Coffey, Lisa Bettis, Glen Lajeski, and Dale Kaplan.  May this next trip around the sun be your best yet!

This week I offer words of advice that I, for one, will follow.  When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening.  That’s where your power is.

Be safe out there, my friends.  Remember to check on your dogs frequently.  I look forward to seeing those of you who will be joining us at Canfield. Reach out to me. Let’s Table Talk!  Until next time…

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278 – July, 2026

Did you correctly answer this week’s #ThrowbackThursday?

Answer: Judge Jon Cole, Handler Michael Canalizo showing Afghan Hound Tryst, CH Tryst of Grandeur & Presenter Ron Spritzer

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!

By Lee Connor

Many years ago, we bought a tiny black and tan Miniature Dachshund puppy (who would later become the renowned ‘Alfie’) and dutifully attended our local ringcraft classes.

Here, he (we) learned all about ring etiquette and, more importantly, Alfie also learned about socializing with other dogs.

One of these dogs was a huge, rufous-haired beast of an animal who Alfie quickly developed a bizarre kind of magnetism for!

I was quite wary of the two interacting, fearing that the little one could quite easily end up as a tasty snack, but the big dog’s owner was quite insistent, “Oh, he’ll be fine, Leo is an absolute lamb…” Yeah, I’d heard that line before…

Tentatively, I allowed Alf to move over to say hello…it was love at first sight.The big dog was so gentle with our little fella, permitting all kinds of doggy indiscretions!

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260 – July, 2026

By Dr. Carmen Battaglia

By the time you finish reading this article, I hope you will come to the conclusion that dog clubs have increasingly come to recognize the need for more workers. Unfortunately, many are missing an opportunity that is hiding in plain sight. All clubs need more volunteers. Those who have found a way to develop this army of workers are building the backbone and atmosphere necessary to support the future success of their club. The better clubs find ways to recruit and use these individuals to benefit their club and the sport. For example, we know that members and non-members who volunteer to serve do so because they know it helps their club and it builds friendships. Collectively they like being with others, they want to help where needed, and they care about the sport. Yes, there are other benefits produced by volunteers including the economic, professional, and personal benefits. In many ways volunteers inject thousands of dollars into local economies across the country. Dog show data collected by AKC confirms that communities benefit from hotel stays, food, liquor, and gasoline sales– money spent by volunteers and those attending shows. For some of the younger volunteers, it boosts their employment prospects. Generally speaking, volunteers provide an effective and meaningful service, and demonstrate their commitment to a cause. Some see themselves as problem-solvers. Others have the satisfaction of seeing what they bring to the sport, their club, and the local community through their efforts.

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244 – July, 2026

By Lisa Dubé Forman

How did our journey into the wild world of canine reproduction become such a three-ring circus? Most of you know what I’m talking about, so don’t pretend otherwise. Just ask any private, purebred dog breeder muttering as their bitch nears her heat cycle—they’ll confirm the madness. Honestly, we’ve all gone a bit mad. Yet here we are, doomed to repeating the cycle until our wallets wave the white flag.

If you’ve retired from breeding or let Mother Nature call the shots, you’re blissfully unaware of the spectacle you’re missing! Hats off to you—you probably think the rest of us, orchestrating puppy litters with syringes and science, have gone completely bonkers. The madness is real: artificial insemination now takes center stage, with theriogenology’s high-tech wizardry stealing the show. Nearly every breeder I know sheepishly confesses to relying on artificial insemination more often than not. But the real showstopper? The jaw-dropping costs and the endless hours it devours.

Let’s dive into theriogenology and canine reproduction. Here’s our roadmap: we’ll touch on natural breeding, then veer into artificial insemination, with its fresh-chilled and frozen methods—each with its own twist, timing, and price tag. Fair warning: this is a maze of details, so buckle up! You’ll soon see my favorite phrase: ‘It depends.’

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232 – July, 2026