Table Talk • May 27, 2026
And just like that, summer is in full swing–finally! The Memorial Day weekend customarily offers many options for fanciers to attend a large variety of 4- and 5-day clusters including, in some cases, multiple shows on day 1 and/or day 2 of the circuit. This Memorial Day weekend offered 164 opportunities for a Best in Show or Best in Specialty Show win during the 5 days preceding and including Memorial Day. According to Wayne Cavanaugh, there were 73 all-breed shows and 91 specialties. It is no wonder that the huge entries of years past on Memorial Day weekend seem to be a very distant memory. (Thanks for this brilliant entry synopsis, Wayne!) Back in the day, I remember driving back and forth between Kalamazoo, Michigan and Bloomington, Illinois throughout the weekend. Ah, to be young again!
With the current microscopic entry numbers and absence of class animals, finishing a dog’s championship can be challenging. With that in mind, many fanciers work together in an attempt to build majors for class dogs. The million-dollar question remains: If you finish your dog prior to the end of the cluster you are attending, what should you do? If the major is “right on” with no room for absentees, do you leave your dog in the classes, or do you move it up to Best of Breed?
Every exhibitor is entitled to make a decision that works for them and their dog. There are questions they might consider before making the decision to move the dog up. They might consult with the other exhibitors affected by their decision. While this is not necessary, it is one way to try to make the other exhibitors happy. Plus, if you they ask you to show your dog and it wins the major, they can’t be upset. However, you might want to show your newly finished champion in Best Of Breed, especially if you think it’s competitive. If the major is right on the number, and you move your dog up, it nullifies the major unless the class animal wins BOS or BOB over the right number of specials. Some exhibitors may be upset if you break the major, and that seems to be a popular response.
The bottom line is the decision to move a dog up after it finishes is up to the owner and/or handler of the dog.
Please reach out to me with your thoughts about showing your newly finished champion in the classes or moving up to Best of Breed. Email me at Deb.Cooper@caninechronicle.com.
The 2026 celebration of Peace, Love, and Dogs–fondly known as Woofstock–has once again garnered an impressive entry! The all-breed shows held Friday, Saturday and Sunday have an entry between 1,662-1996 dogs, with a 4-6 puppy entry of 58 to 63! Congratulations to all the hard-working volunteers who make Woofstock the celebration of our sport that it has become. Sadly, AKCTV will not be streaming the cluster this year.
The American Kennel Club has announced that effective May 20, 2026, there will be suffix titles added for NOHS titles of achievement. Those individuals who have completed titles can apply for these titles to be added to their dog’s registered name retroactively.
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Ric Plaut, Amanda Giles, Basil Underwood, Olivia Hodgkinson, Alexis Jones, Kat Moyer, Jake (from State Farm) Haycock, Chris Keith, Lori Wilson-Paust, Pam Laperruque, Kristie Holberg, Jennifer McClintock-Shirley, and Greg Smith. May this year bring you the best life has to offer!
Something to keep in mind, my friends: You get to a point in life where you do not care who is mad, why they are mad, and who they are recruiting to be made with them. It is peaceful over here.
Be safe out there. Stop by the Purina hospitality booth this coming Friday-Sunday at the Purina Event Center and say hi to me! Until next time…
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