The Gossip Column: October 24, 2025

Where has this year gone? It flew by. Here we are planning for the televised KENNEL CLUB OF PHILADELPHIA. Those of you who are lucky enough to be in one of the groups will be able to tell your friends and family to watch. It will help them to understand why you are never home to join them for any weekend occasions. Then the year-end  AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in Orlando. The Friday ALL BREED PUPPY & JUNIOR STAKES has a stellar panel of judges headed by the three judges who will select the best in stakes: ROZ KRAMER, THOMAS COEN and PLUIS DAVERN. The seven group judges are PETER KUBACZ Sporting, ERIC STEEL Hound, CLIFF STEELE Working, MARGERY GOOD Terrier, PATTY KEENAN Toy, BETH SWEIGART Non Sporting and PHIL BOOTH Herding. They will be joined with breed judges KAREN MAMMANO, PER RISMYHR, SARAH MURPHY, HIRIAM STEWART, ALLISON SUNDERMAN, PAUL CATTERSON and BETSY ORMAN. It’s always fun to watch and see the next generation of top winners. The entries are already rolling in for both events, and every year seems to grow in numbers. It certainly is a credit to MICHAEL CANALIZO and PAULA SPECTOR and the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB staff.  Then, in order to encourage the youth of the United Kingdom, the CRUFTS DOG SHOW will add an additional new hall, number 8, dedicated to the YOUNG KENNEL CLUB (YKC). This new vibrant and inspiring space is their ongoing commitment to inspire and promote the next generation of dog lovers, handlers and followers, and will also host the brand new dog grooming competition that showcases the artistry of the top groomers from across the United Kingdom and the World. If you never witnessed the exhibition, it is amazing the talent these groomers possess. There was a grooming demonstration and contest at the PALM BEACH COUNTY DOG FANCIERS ASSOCIATION last March and it was amazing how they transformed the animals in a few short hours.  For those familiar with the NEC, this new Hall 8 is right off Hall 4. Hard to believe that the CRUFTS DOG SHOW is acquiring more floor space - bring comfortable shoes. The show will be held from Thursday, March 5th with Working and Pastoral breeds and group judging,  Friday, March 6th Terrier and Hound breeds and group judging, Saturday, March 7th Toy and Utility breeds and group judging and Sunday, March 8th Gundog breeds and group and best in show judging.