Table Talk · April 23, 2025
Table Talk · April 23, 2025
Well, folks, National Specialty season is in full swing! Best wishes to everyone traveling to their National in the coming weeks. National Specialties are a great opportunity to see old friends near and far and get a sense of “the state of the breed”. Breeders have a great opportunity to look for stud dog candidates and learn about other lines. Aspiring fanciers and judges should always take advantage of attending national specialties, when possible, even if it is not their breed or a breed that interests them. One can learn so much about a breed by sitting ringside and talking with veteran breeders. Many breeds have really stepped up their judge’s education efforts and these are educational opportunities that should be taken advantage of!
I am going to miss the American Whippet Club National Specialty once again this year because it conflicts with the Poodle Club of America National which is an annual commitment for me. BOTH parent clubs really know how to put on a National! This year, the Whippet National has a conformation regular class entry of 464! With 122 Dogs, 158 Bitches and 184 Specials, Breeder Judge Jan Swayze is going to be very busy! The American Whippet Club includes their altered dogs as well, and those classes will be judged by Jan’s daughter, Grahm Swayze, this year! What a great opportunity to watch two extremely knowledgeable fanciers judge their breed! If you are near the Roberts Centre this week, please consider stopping by to watch some great judging and some beautiful Whippets! Don’t forget to stop by Vicki Seiler-Cushman’s Doughnut shop called Glazed which is nearby!
While my Whippet friends are enjoying their National and some yummy doughnuts, I will be attending the Poodle Club of America held at the Event Center at Purina Farms. Look forward to photos and videos from the greatest poodle show on earth. The PCA volunteers work hard to make the venue as beautiful as they can by using lovely turf in a ring surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers. Combined with the beauty of perfectly coiffed poodles, it is a sight that everyone should experience at least once. This year’s PCA is very special for me because my good friend Gina Weiser will be judging the Toy Variety! Please note, this will be the first show held there after the horrible damage the facility suffered from the tornado several weeks back.
Last week Danelle Brown headed to the casino to have a little fun. Little did she know she would end up performing CPR on a woman who collapsed. Once a nurse, always a nurse!
Heads up Owner Handlers–the American Kennel Club Board of Directors recently approved the recognition of National Owner Handled Titles to be earned and recognized through the issuance of level of achievement certificates. The current NOHS point milestones will serve as the titling criteria. Previously entered NOHS levels of achievement will be eligible for titling. Titles may be applied for through the AKC’s Title Recognition Portal, tentatively scheduled to become effective October 1, 2025. I will be sure to keep everyone updated about the portal’s progress and subsequent launch.
While on the topic of AKC and information, there has once again been a great deal of discussion about the difficulty of using the AKC website. While the website continues to be challenging to navigate, fanciers should continue to use Google to search for the relevant topic. Google has proven to be an invaluable resource for me as I try to navigate this website.
To those fanciers lucky enough to be in the Colorado Springs area next weekend, don’t forget about the Sunrise Service Dogs Raise the Woof Shindig that will take place at the Under The Sun facility on Saturday, April 26th. Additional tickets were recently released, and they can be purchased at SunriseServiceDogs.org. Please consider supporting this incredible organization.
Congratulations to lovebirds Ania Kelly and Peter Kubacz who were recently engaged. Best wishes for many happy, healthy years ahead for the two of you!
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Polly Smith, Tiffany Skinner, Sandra Groeschel, Payden Steele, Nina Fetter-Galarneau, Will Bratcher, David Kirkland, Vince Indeglia, Rowan Baggenstos, Rhonda Holloway, Jessica Braatz, CJ Favre, and Dan Dahlberg. May this trip around the sun bring you happiness and prosperity!
Thank you to Katherine Smoot for sharing this week’s words of wisdom: Stay true in the dark and humble in the spotlight!
Be safe out there my friends. Be kind and hug those canines! Until next time…
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