Canine Chronicle » The Buzz

The Westminster Kennel Club To Open Nominations For 2026 Veterinarian Of The Year Award On World Veterinary Day

Liz — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:04:21 +0000

In recognition of World Veterinary Day taking place on April 25, The Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) will open nominations for the 2026 Westminster Veterinarian of the Year Award presented by Purina Pro Plan Veterinary at westminsterkennelclub.org. WKC will celebrate the fifth anniversary of its Veterinarian of the Year(VOTY) initiative which honors the dedicated veterinarians who make a difference in our pets’ lives, while offering support for challenges these professionals face within the field of veterinary medicine. New this year, fans will be invited to vote for their favorite hometown veterinarian.

The call for nominations will be open from April 25—May 21, 2026. Four regional finalists, based on the public nominations, will be selected by an esteemed committee of WKC experts and previous VOTY award winners. Fan voting for the four finalists will take place June 7—10, 2026 on westminsterkennelclub.org.

The 2026 Westminster Veterinarian of the Year will be honored throughout the year and receive a $10,000 donation in their name to a Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission partner.

“For over 150 years, The Westminster Kennel Club has centered itself around a tradition of caring in order to create a better world for dogs, and we simply cannot do that without the dedication and support of the veterinary community,”said Dr. Donald Sturz, President of The Westminster Kennel Club. “We are filled with pride to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Westminster Veterinarian of the Year Award, and with the partnership of our friends at Pro Plan Veterinary, raise even more awareness and support for our veterinarian heroes.”

The annual VOTY award is an initiative of Westminster Cares, the Club’s charitable program that supports breed education, canine health, breed rescue, canine companionship, and dog sports participation. These activities help fulfill Westminster’s core mission to celebrate the companionship of dogs while promoting responsible dog ownership, health, and breed preservation.

The 2025 VOTY competition saw over 300 nominations from all over the U.S., resulting in naming Dr. Sara K. Lyle of Baton Rouge, Louisiana the recipient of the fourth annual Westminster Veterinarian of the Year Award. Dr. Lyle was selected by an expert veterinary judging panel for her excellence, dedication, and values in animal care and advocacy.

Learn more about The Westminster Kennel Club and Westminster Cares: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

What Exactly is a Dog Show? With Harper’s Magazine

Liz — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:00:39 +0000

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

#ThrowbackThursday – Guess Who? – Check Your Answer!

Liz — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:55:28 +0000

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!

#ThrowbackThursday – Guess Who?

Liz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:00:02 +0000

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!

#ThrowbackThursday – Guess Who? – Check Your Answer!

Liz — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:00:02 +0000

Did you correctly answer this week’s #ThrowbackThursday?

Answer: Maripi Wooldridge handling CH Maltes’ a Royal Match to Judge Mrs. Edith Izant. Owned by Cecil Kraemer and Florence Ka’aloa and Bred by Judy Carrick.

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!

#ThrowbackThursday – Guess Who?

Liz — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:00:02 +0000

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!

#ThrowbackThursday – Guess Who? – Check Your Answer!

Liz — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:00:53 +0000

Did you correctly answer this week’s #ThrowbackThursday?

Answer: Breeder & Handler Susie DePew

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!

#ThrowbackThursday – Guess Who?

Liz — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:00:22 +0000

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!

#ThrowbackThursday – Guess Who? – Check Your Answer!

Liz — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:00:57 +0000

Did you correctly answer this week’s #ThrowbackThursday?

Answer: Dorothy Collier and Michael & Michelle Scott

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!

#ThrowbackThursday – Guess Who?

Liz — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:00:32 +0000

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!