The Gossip Column: April 25, 2025

It is no secret that the entries in conformation have declined because of the clustering of dog shows in a single location and the number of dog shows that are being held. There are show-giving clubs hosting two or more events on the same weekend. Thursday, Friday and Monday events usually have the lowest entries, and some of these are so low as to bring into question why they are even being held. Some of these clubs should cut their losses and give up those second and third shows. There is no sin in having two clubs holding one event each on a two-day weekend. The weekend shows always have a larger entry and hopefully more points offered in more breeds. This weekend is a perfect example. Two clubs, SOUTH HILLS KENNEL CLUB and MOUNTAINEER KENNEL CLUB, are hosting four shows in Morgantown, West Virginia, with entries over the four days starting on Thursday and Friday with 537 and 596 dogs, and on Saturday and Sunday, 726 and 679 dogs. In California, two clubs, the REDWOOD EMPIRE KENNEL CLUB and the CHIEF SOLANO KENNEL CLUB, host four shows in Woodland with conformation entries on Thursday and Friday of 547 and 617, and Saturday and Sunday, 780 and 734. In Lumberton, North Carolina, two clubs, the MOORE COUNTY KENNEL CLUB and MYRTLE BEACH KENNEL CLUB, are hosting four shows, with Thursday and Friday at 575 and 654 dogs, and Saturday and Sunday, 747 and 718. In Bear, Delaware, three clubs — the MISPILLION KENNEL CLUB, WILMINGTON KENNEL CLUB and PENN TREATY KENNEL CLUB — hold four events, with Thursday and Friday entries of 516 and 616, and Friday and Saturday entries of 777 and 725. ...

At the shows this weekend, friends and family will join RITA HOLLOWAY for a celebration of life for the late DOUGIE HOLLOWAY. Like his raconteur father ROY HOLLOWAY before him, there will be many a funny story or episode in DOUGIE’S life that will be sure to bring a laugh. Both these men were bigger than life and leave a big void in our purebred dog family. ...

The judging panel for the NATIONAL OWNER-HANDLED SERIES FINALS to be held at the AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW presented by ROYAL CANIN in December has been announced. The panel consists of Sporting breeds and group BETSY YATES; Hound breeds and group HAL BIERMAN; Working breeds and group WILLIAM STEBBINS; Terrier breeds and group GUS SINIBALDI; Toy breeds and group GUS SINBALDI; and both Non-Sporting and Herding breeds and groups, DANELLE BROWN. The NOHS Best in Show judge will be PLUIS DAVERN.