The Gossip Column: October 27, 2023

It’s good to hear that the recent MEET THE BREEDS held in Columbus, Ohio, had more than 90 breeds participating in the event. It is one of — if not the — most important event we have in the world of purebred dogs. It’s where we can meet the public, dispel the bad press given to purebred dogs and their breeders, and help them select a breed appropriate for their lifestyles. When there is a MEET THE BREEDS scheduled in your area, try to support it by attending with your dog. ...

The leader of the Merchant Marine Academy Regimental Band, KENNETH FORCE, has passed away. He was one of the nation’s foremost experts on military pomp, playing at 10 presidential inaugurations. He is probably not that well known for composing the “PRESIDENTIAL PETS MARCH,” complete with barks and meows. ...

Just a little heads-up for those attending the AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP dog show in Orlando: The HYATT HOTEL across the street from the venue is having its senior executives meetings there that week. So rooms in the closest accommodation to the show will sell out quickly. ...

Next year, the WORLD DOG SHOW will be held in Zagreb, the national capital of Croatia, hosted by the Croatian Kennel Club. Having spent a lot of time there, it is an enjoyable destination, and the April date is well in advance of the summer rush. The dates of the show are April 25 through 28, 2024. ...

After a career with PURINA® PRO PLAN® that spanned more than 25 years, ANN VIKLUND now wears another hat. All those years that she listened to happy breeders and exhibitors extolling the virtues of their dogs at the PURINA® booth, now it’s ANN who has embraced both disciplines of conformation and field with great success, proving her love of dogs and the sport. We are lucky to have her counted among us. 

Next week, PETER GREEN will celebrate a birthday. He is the closest thing we have to a living legend in our sport. His accomplishments on either end of the lead are unequalled, and his love of the sport is still undiminished after all these years. ...

Other mortals celebrating birthdays … CHRIS MANELOPOULOS, JENNIFER MILLER-FARIAS, ESTEBAN FARIAS, BOBBI DAVIS, BETTY-ANNE STENMARK, SALLY SASSER, JOHN MCCARTHY, PAM SAGE, CHRIS WORNALL, RON JARAMILLO, MELISSA TURNER, LORAINE BOUTWELL, KARIN ASHE, CAROL MURRAY, LINDA WILSON and JIM HALL.