The Gossip Column: June 12, 2026

The thought of Italy before the Summer crowds of tourists take over the streets plus the history, the sites, the shopping, the food, not to mention the ITALIAN KENNEL CLUB’S CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW and the WORLD DOG SHOW was just too much to resist. The result was a lot of Americans practicing their Ciaos and Grazies and Pregos before flying off to Bologna for an Italian holiday. The FCI WORLD DOG SHOWS are hosted by a different country each year and, depending on the location, it is a great opportunity for Americans to visit that country and dog show. Everyone knew Italy would be a big draw and next year’s Vienna show will be very popular as well. As you know, we are not a member of the FCI but we certainly made our presence felt in the ring. Congratulations to all the winning dogs that had an American connection. Two top winners at the Italian Championship dog show include the Black Standard winning best in show and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever winning the group.  At the World Dog Show was the Pomeranian winning Reserve Best In Show. Among those attending the show were  American Kennel Club president GINA DINARDO with husband PETE GWYNNE, DESI MURPHY, SUSIE & JORGE OLIVIERA, ERIN MYERS, MICHAEL & MICHELLE SCOTT, LUISMA BENITEZ, CINDY VOGELS, BRUCE SCHWARTZ, LINDA CLARK, ALICIA MORRISON JONES, ADRIAN AGARD, COLTON JOHNSON, RACHEL CORBIN MANELOPOULOS, JODY MAQUETTE, KAREN JUSTIN, JEAN BOYD, LAURIE GREEN, DEVON & ADAM LEVY, ANN JUHASZ, KIM & TONY CALVACCA, DYLAN & CHRIS KEITH, Diane Burvee, ALLISON SUNDERMAN, JUSTIN & CHESLIE SMITHEY and REBECCA CROSS and ERIKA & BOB BUSBY. In another example of friendship in the family of pure bred dogs and writing new lyrics to the song “What Are Friends For” on Monday June 8th, my new hero JENNIFER STEVENS of Chin fame donated one of her kidneys to her dear friend Leonberger fancier SUSAN TOWNSEND who was desperately in need of a kidney donor. JENNIFER was a perfect match and exhibiting rare unselfishness and humanity to generously donate one of her kidneys to help a friend in dire need. ALICIA MOHR-HANNA one of the most successful and respected breeders of Rhodesian Ridgebacks for nearly 60 years has passed away. Called the “Mother of Rhodesian Ridgebacks,” her Kimani prefix can be found on pedigrees worldwide. Longtime mentor and judge of the breed, we the send our deepest sympathies to her family. Longtime handler and judge KIM GRIFFITH has also passed away. KIM was without doubt one of the nicest gentlemen in the sport. Business-like and professional, he built a successful career with his wife GIGI, who survives him.  Both forces to be reckoned with especially in the working and herding groups. When they retired from handling they both became judges. All of us at DOG NEWS send GIGI and family our deepest sympathies. Another loss we are sorry to report is that of LYNN MEYER. AKC Executive Field Rep, successful breeder and handler for many decades, we send love and sympathy to her family and many friends. Donations can be made in Memory of Lynn Meyer to the  Tibetan Terrier Health and Welfare Foundation:

tibetanterriersfoundation.org
as well as to Take The Lead:
takethelead.org/donation