The Gossip Column: June 23, 2023

After years of discussion, the delegates voted in favor of permitting delegates to charge a fee to judge in addition to just having their expenses paid. Long overdue. Some zealous delegates wore buttons that said, “Equal Work for Equal Pay.” Truth be told, it was not that uncommon years ago for some delegates to pad the expenses they submitted to the show-giving club. At least now the delete body will be open to anyone who wants to serve. This decision can only help the sport, as it adds more voices to the kennel club. ...

So disappointing to attend old and prestigious dog shows, the GREENWICH KENNEL CLUB and the BRYN MAWR KENNEL CLUB, the last two weekends and to see their entries dwindling. Not to mention the LADIES KENNEL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA and the LONG ISLAND KENNEL CLUB surviving with entries hovering around 400 dogs. When is an appropriate time to address these issues we’re facing as a sport? Namely, four days of competing shows just hours away from one another. Creatively conceived clusters and a myriad number of shows, specialties within shows and two shows in one day. Money aside, what does the American Kennel Club see as the future of dog shows? ...

A nice love story: Two couples, longtime friends. One loses his wife, the other loses her husband. Years later, the couple, KIM HALL and RICHARD GREEN, plan on getting married this December. All of us at DOG NEWS send our very best wishes. RICHARD is the son of GAYNOR GREEN and PETER GREEN. ...

Handler SCOTT SOMMER, who has all but retired from handling, has made it official with the sale of all his wooden dog-show crates. Selling like hotcakes … nice to know there are exhibitors who still appreciate the benefits of wooden crates. A lot of famous dogs traveled in those crates, including at least two Westminster Best in Show winners. SCOTT is managing his boarding kennel, and that takes all of his time, with the benefit of not having to travel. ...

Handler BLAKE HANSEN was hospitalized after taking ill at the dog show, a combination of dehydration and other heat-related issues. Glad to report he is home and feeling better. ...

All of us at DOG NEWS were so saddened to hear that JORDAN CHAMBERLAIN has passed away. A Toy Group judge and longtime Poodle breeder under the JLC prefix, JORDAN bred the white Miniature Poodle Ch. JLC Critique, a two-time, back-to-back Westminster Kennel Club group winner. Tiki was owned and loved by RITA HOLLOWAY until his passing at approximately 20 years of age. ...

Saddened to hear that MIKE BERRY has passed away. Our deepest sympathies to his wife KATE BERRY and their young son AIDEN.