The Gossip Column: April 17, 2026

On Wednesday, May 6th at 6 P.M. an interview/conversation will take place at the AKC MUSEUM OF THE DOG. The topic is “What Exactly Is A Dog Show and who are the people that make it happen? Why do these events produce such unforgettable characters and such excellent comedy” with Westminster Kennel Club president DONALD STURZ, artist and author ANDREW NORMAN and moderated by HARPER’S MAGAZINE’S senior editor JESS BERGMAN. It is a dog friendly event and guests can remain for a meet and greet with the panelists. The list of American judges invited to judge at the upcoming November AKC & FCM  joint dog shows to be held in Mexico City have been announced.  Expectations must be high as the list includes 41 judges from the States not to mention foreign judges. While the list of judges has been published, their assignments have yet to be announced. Among the judges names listed are ALLISON SUNDERMAN, BRYAN MARTIN, CINDY VOGELS, DAVAID FITZPATRICK, DON STURZ, DENNIS SPRUNG, EDDIE DZIUK, JASON HOKE, JERRY KLEIN, MARY MILLER, RANDY GARREN, PATTY KEENAN, ANGELA PICKETT, BARBARA PESSINA, CONNIE CLARK, DAVID KIRKLAND, GEORGE MILUTINOVICH, MICHAEL FAULKNER and RICHARD POWELL. The American Kennel Club shows will be held under AKC rules and the Mexican shows the rules of the FCM. For dogs entered in AKC events, in order for the points to count the dogs must be registered with the the American Kennel Club.  These shows are being held the same weekend as KENNEL CLUB OF PHILADELPHIA WEEKEND. The Chesapeake Bay took a back seat to the Caribbean Sea where ADAM & DEVON KIPP LEVY were celebrating ADAM’S mom’s birthday on the Caribbean island of Aruba. BETH SWEIGART along with family and friends celebrated her birthday at the Bucks County restaurant CARVERSVILLE INN of proprietors MILAN LINT & MITCH BERLIN. Our thoughts are with ANN & RANDY MCCALL on the loss of their home and belongings due to a house fire that has left their home uninhabitable. A GOFUNDME fund has been established to these friends in a time of need. For those wishing to donate the address is gofund.me/f172b3ddd. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated. All of us at DOG NEWS send our deepest sympathies to DAWN SEARS and the entire family on the passing of her beloved father DR. FLOYD SEARS. They say there is no bigger bond than a father and his daughter. In this case, so much so that DAWN followed in his footsteps and became a foot surgeon, just like him.