Canine Hotline - April 2026
Board Meetings: 1st Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m.
General Meeting: 2nd Tuesday of every month, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Church of the Nazarene, 913 E New York Ave, DeLand, FL 32724
President Terry Wagner
Vice President Ginny Merchant
Secretary Dee Pounds
Treasurer Maria Avellino
AKC Delegate Cathy Driggers
FAKC Delegate Cathy Driggers
Show Chair Mark Driggers
Board of Directors
Kati Boswell • Susan Graves • Bain Foster • Windie Rhodes • Bill Herr
📩 Meeting Minutes from the General Meeting are now available as a PDF download.
🎉 Celebrating Our Membership Anniversaries 🎉
This month, we’re proud to recognize and celebrate the commitment of our WVKC members whose dedication to the club has stood the test of time.
Melinda Everett (joined 2022)
Susan Graves (joined 2021)
Deway Graves (joined 2021)
Kristina Lysanova (joined 2023)
Donald Small (joined 2005)
Thank you all for being an important part of WVKC’s ongoing legacy!
🎂 Happiest of Birthdays! 🎂
WVKC sends warm birthday wishes to our members celebrating another trip around the sun:
🎉 Melody Brittingham April 26
🎉 Krystal Cliver - April 27
🎉 Morgan Poulin - May 05
🎉 Gary Moser - May 15
🎉 Bill Herr - May 19
🎉 Audria Ross - May 23
🎉 Windie Rhodes - May 31
🎉 Terry Wagner - May 31
We hope your special day is filled with joy, puppy kisses, and a few extra treats! 🐾🎈
Third Reading - February
Debbie McMurtry
Julia Grandt
Just a reminder for the annual picnic on the 25th of April at Mark and Maria's house!
-Terry
Spring Scurry: Let’s Get Those Tails Moving!
Many of us are very active in the AKC Fit Dog program! Susan and Dewayne are our Ringleaders (lol!) and started Mt Dora Fit Dog Club a few years ago. Check it out on FB for the latest updates!! The AKC's 3rd annual Spring Scurry walk is coming up and we are holding ours on Saturday, April 11th, 9:30am at Gemini Springs Park in Deltona. Click on the link for more info!
Medallions can be ordered starting March 20th and are $20. This isn't a requirement to join the walk...but they are sure pretty!! Dewayne typically schedules a lot of these hikes throughout the year. Great to get outside with some quality time with your dogs and friends!!
Hope to see many of you there!!!
🚨 Protect Our Sports—Your Voice Matters
A new amendment to the Farm Bill could unintentionally threaten AKC events, hunt tests, and widely accepted training methods due to overly broad language and unclear definitions.
The AKC is urging all dog enthusiasts to act now—contact your members of Congress and ask them to remove this language before it’s finalized. It takes just a few minutes, but your voice can help protect the future of the activities we love.
Events & ReCaps
WVKC Strikes Gold at “Barkin’, Boots & Bling” 🐾🤠
The West Volusia Kennel Club saddled up and rode into the spotlight at this year’s Krewe of Amalee Mardi Gras Dog Parade, themed “Barkin’, Boots & Bling.” With an impressive 90 floats in the parade, the competition was no small rodeo—but WVKC’s crew delivered a showstopper.
Led by Mark and Cathy Driggers, club members built an authentic Old West saloon float, complete with a rustic bar, bottles lining the shelves, and enough cowboy flair to make any frontier town proud. The attention to detail paid off: WVKC took home First Place in the float and costume theme contest. Not bad for a group whose main expertise usually involves grooming tables, show leads, and training treats rather than frontier architecture. But then again, it all requires a certain degree of artistry, right?
The parade itself was a lively celebration of dogs and community, with floats, costumes, and plenty of four-legged participants strutting their stuff through DeLand. WVKC members and their dogs leaned fully into the theme—cowboy hats, bandanas, fringe, boots, and even a few canine accessories that would make a rodeo judge nod approvingly.
As Cathy Driggers summed it up afterward:
“We had such a great time at the DeLand Mardi Gras dog parade. The Krewe always does a great job. There were 90 floats this year! Our West Volusia Kennel Club float was a saloon. We had a great team that worked together to build it and we won First Place! Thank you to everyone who came out to walk the parade with us and also to those who joined us for Meet the Breed afterwards.”
After the parade wrapped up, many attendees stopped by the WVKC Meet the Breed area to learn more about purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership—proving once again that our club knows how to mix education, community outreach, and a good dose of fun.
Winning first place was icing on the cake, but the real victory was seeing members, dogs, and the community come together for a joyful day celebrating the bond between people and their dogs.
Congratulations to everyone who helped design, build, decorate, walk, and cheer on the float. The Old West may be long gone—but for one Mardi Gras afternoon in DeLand, WVKC brought it roaring back to life. 🐕
🗞️News You Can Use - AKC Delegate's Report
The AKC Delegate Meeting held on December 12, 2025, covered a wide range of governance, financial, and programmatic topics shaping the future of the sport. Delegates received updates on Board of Directors nominations for the Class of 2030, with nominations formally closed per AKC bylaws. Leadership reports emphasized both reflection and momentum, highlighting the 25th anniversary of the AKC National Championship and reinforcing the importance of international collaboration, owner-handler opportunities, junior engagement, and fostering a welcoming culture within clubs and events. December 2025 Delegate Report
Financial reporting showed a projected year-end operational loss driven primarily by reduced registration revenue, partially offset by investment performance. Despite these challenges, AKC leadership underscored continued investment in core programs, staff, and affiliate support. Delegates also approved a rules amendment expanding the scope of disqualifications across hunting tests and field trials, reinforcing consistency in judging standards. December 2025 Delegate Report
Additional highlights included recognition of the 2025 AKC Eddy Award recipients for excellence in breeder education, an update on AKC PAC advocacy efforts amid increasing legislative activity targeting hobby breeders, and a call from the Delegate floor for a temporary moratorium on upcoming event fee increases. Together, these discussions painted a clear picture: the sport is evolving under real financial and political pressure, but remains anchored by community involvement, education, and active advocacy. You can read the full Delegate's Report by Cathy Driggers here.
Digging Into Instinct: AKC Earthdog
There is something deeply satisfying about watching a small, determined dog disappear into a tunnel with absolute purpose. That’s AKC Earthdog in a nutshell. It is not glamor. It is not glitter. It is grit, instinct, and centuries of selective breeding coming to life underground.
AKC Earthdog tests are designed for small terriers and Dachshunds to demonstrate the skills they were bred for: hunting vermin in underground dens. Dogs navigate man-made tunnels to locate a safely caged rat (no quarry is harmed), and then “work” the scent with barking, digging, pawing, or intense focus. It’s evaluated pass/fail against a standard, not judged against other dogs. Instinct and efficiency matter more than theatrics.
Eligible breeds include many terriers (Border, Cairn, Norfolk, Norwich, Scottish, West Highland White, etc.) and Dachshunds. Dogs must be at least six months old and AKC registered (PAL/ILP and FSS are eligible as well). Spayed and neutered dogs are welcome.
Title Ladder: From Curious to Committed
Earthdog has a clear progression of levels:
Introduction to Quarry (IQ) A non-regular class that introduces dogs to a short tunnel and quarry scent. Think of it as kindergarten for go-to-ground dogs.
Novice Earthdog (NE) A newer entry level requiring two qualifying performances under different judges.
Junior Earthdog (JE) The first traditional title. Dogs navigate a longer tunnel with turns and then work the quarry. Two passes under different judges earn the JE suffix.
Senior Earthdog (SE) Adds false exits, increased complexity, and more advanced scent discrimination.
Master Earthdog (ME) The highest AKC level. Dogs must hunt above ground to locate the den entrance before going to ground. It simulates a more complete hunting scenario.
There are also “Excellent” designations (JXE, SXE, MXE) for dogs who continue qualifying beyond the basic title requirements. For terrier and Dachshund people who love suffixes, Earthdog delivers.
Florida Earthdog
Yes, Florida has Earthdog! The Ocala area has hosted AKC-licensed Earthdog tests in recent seasons, including January events this year. Premium lists typically appear through AKC event search or via host club pages. If you have a terrier or Dachshund in the region, there are real opportunities to participate without traveling cross-country.
Try This With Your Dog
A low-key way to explore Earthdog instincts at home
If you have an eligible breed and you’re curious, start by encouraging scent curiosity safely and ethically.
Build a simple tunnel. Use large cardboard boxes taped together or a child’s play tunnel. Keep it straight at first. Toss a favorite toy or treat at the end and encourage confident entry and exit. Never force the dog.
Develop scent interest. Drag a scented toy (even one stored with kibble or treats) lightly across grass and let your dog follow the track. Keep it short and fun.
Reward “working” behavior. If your dog paws, digs, barks, or intensely investigates a hidden toy, reward the engagement. That focus is what Earthdog channels.
Observe temperament. The best Earthdog prospects show persistence, quick recovery from mild startle, and independent problem-solving. A little grit goes a long way.
Remember: not every terrier wants to tunnel, and that’s fine. Earthdog celebrates natural aptitude, not manufacturing drive.
Why It Matters
Earthdog is one of the clearest expressions of why purebred preservation matters. It connects structure, temperament, and history in a way few sports can. When a small dog barrels into a tunnel with total conviction, you are watching selective breeding succeed across generations.
For terrier and Dachshund owners in our club, Earthdog might be the most authentic title you’ll ever earn. It’s not about sparkle. It’s about instinct — and instinct is the original working credential.
Fresh Pet Food: The New Middle Ground Between Raw and Kibble
Many WVKC members already think carefully about what goes in their dogs’ bowls. Some feed raw, others prefer traditional kibble, and increasingly people are experimenting with something in between: commercial fresh pet food. Fresh diets are typically made from recognizable ingredients—meat, vegetables, and grains—lightly cooked and then refrigerated or frozen to preserve them. Unlike shelf-stable kibble, these foods are minimally processed and arrive ready-to-serve, often through subscription services or refrigerated pet-store sections. Their popularity is rising quickly as pet owners increasingly treat dogs as family members and look for diets that resemble homemade meals.
One reason fresh diets are getting attention is the growing discussion around ultra-processed foods. Most kibble is produced through high-temperature extrusion, which improves safety and shelf life but also creates compounds called advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) through the Maillard reaction. These compounds occur in many cooked foods and are associated in human and animal studies with chronic disease processes such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. Research in dogs and cats shows that highly processed diets tend to contain more AGEs, and animals eating dry food may excrete higher levels of these compounds than those eating minimally processed or raw diets. Fresh foods—because they use fewer processed ingredients and gentler cooking methods—may contain fewer of these compounds, although researchers stress that more long-term studies are still needed before making strong health claims.
Fresh pet foods are typically cooked at lower temperatures than kibble, then vacuum-sealed and refrigerated. Many brands also advertise “human-grade” ingredients, meaning every component of the food must meet the same handling, storage, and safety standards required for human food production. That doesn’t necessarily make a diet superior, but it does mean the ingredients and facilities must meet strict regulatory guidelines. For dog owners who are uneasy about raw feeding but want recognizable ingredients and minimal processing, fresh food can feel like a comfortable compromise.
Of course, nothing in nutrition is magic. Fresh diets have a few practical drawbacks: they require refrigeration, have a shorter shelf life, and generally cost more than kibble. Feeding costs can be several times higher per calorie than dry food, closer to the price of canned diets. Environmental concerns also pop up—shipping chilled food and insulated packaging has a footprint of its own. Still, many owners like the flexibility of using fresh food as a complete diet or as a topper mixed with kibble.
If you’re curious about trying it, several veterinary-formulated brands have built strong reputations, including The Farmer’s Dog, JustFoodForDogs, Ollie, Nom Nom, and Freshpet. As with any feeding change, transition gradually over about a week to avoid digestive upset. And remember the golden rule of canine nutrition: whether the food comes frozen, fresh, raw, or in a bag, it should still meet AAFCO standards for complete and balanced nutrition for your dog’s life stage.
Fresh diets aren’t a silver bullet—but they are an interesting evolution in how we feed our dogs. For owners who want something less processed than kibble but safer and more convenient than raw feeding, the fresh-food movement may be the newest option worth exploring.
Sources: Clinician's Brief; National Library of Medicine; PetMD
Upcoming Conformation Shows
Show | City | Date | Closes | |
Heartland Dog Club Grtr Fort Myers DC | Fort Meyers | May 14-17 | April 29 | |
Greater Venice | Tampa, FL | June 10 - 14 | May 27 | |
Jupiter-tequesta DC Great Dane Club | West Palm Beach | June 19-21 | June 3 | |
Citric County KC | Ocala | July 3-5 | June 17 | |
WVKC | Deland | Sept 18-2 | Sept 9 | |
Boca Raton Dog Club | West Palm Beach | Sept 26-27 | Sept 9 |
❤️Meet The Members - a conversation with Lynne Hlavin
As many of you know, Lynne has been riding with me to club meetings these past few months. On those long drives, I asked if she’d be willing to share her show history with the membership. I didn’t want a highlight reel. I wanted the texture—what hooked her, what shaped her eye, what she believes we’ve gained and lost, and what she’d tell someone stepping into the sport today, when entries are smaller, costs are higher, and the learning curve hasn’t softened one bit. I was grateful she agreed.
Lynne has shown and finished several breeds, including Scottish Deerhound, Dachshund, and Borzoi. I started where most of us begin: “What pulled you into purebred dogs?”
“It was when I was probably in the sixth grade,” she said. A third-floor apartment in Chicago, a parakeet, and a dream. “I originally wanted a collie but ended up with a borzoi, and I was so fascinated with Dog Shows.”
Her first purebred, though, was a Cocker Spaniel. After moving to Kansas City, she sold her trained-talking parakeet for $25 and used that money to buy a puppy down the street. That puppy won a ribbon at a puppy match, “and I was thrilled.” She only showed her once. While Lynne was at school one day, the puppy was taken to the pound. It’s the kind of loss that either ends a dream or hardens it. For Lynne, it did the latter.
Her first Borzoi, Desi, came from a newspaper classified ad. “I didn’t know anything, but I knew I wanted to show that dog.” So she did. She filled out multiple entry classes until a seasoned exhibitor gently corrected her: “Honey, I don’t think you wanna do that.” Another told her her dog was beautiful but she needed to clip the dog’s toenails. Those small corrections—practical, direct—were her first lessons in the culture of the sport.
Lynne’s story turns from novice luck to serious learning when Lorraine Groshans enters it—Loral Kennel, a well-known name in the breed, and the mentor who taught Lynne how to see dogs beyond just being “pretty.” Lorraine’s dog was on the cover of a magazine so Lynne boldy reached out to her and asked if she could use that dog as a stud. Lorraine first wanted to see Desi’s pedigree, and after doing so decided it was worthy.
Lorraine had the reputation and the knowledge that Lynne didn’t yet understand: “Well she was a judge and well known on the Borzoi breed standard—I didn’t know all this at the time.” When I teased, “You just got lucky,” Lynne didn’t argue. “Yes,” she said with a chuckle, “I just got lucky!”
That “luck,” though, became an education because Lorraine didn’t just approve a pedigree—she invested time. “I didn’t even know what to look for in a dog… as far as conformation, everything,” Lynne told me. “Lorraine spent hours, pulling out pictures of dogs, and she was teaching me what to look for.”
That foundation shaped everything that followed. Under her kennel name, Borogove, Lynne produced about 12 champions. Her program incorporated influential Loral and Kishniga bloodlines, and she remains proud of the continuity of those pedigrees. Her friend Henri Goldner, who later bred under Echovesna, finished roughly 84 champions and carried Kishniga forward prominently. Lynne’s own Borzoi today traces to 30-year-old frozen semen on both sides—living proof that thoughtful breeding decisions echo across decades. “Henri bought her first Borzoi from me,” Lynne said. “We remained family friends until she passed,” even as their programs evolved in different directions.
Like many longtime breeders, Lynne’s kennel didn’t end by choice. Financial hardship forced her to disperse her dogs. “Due to financial reasons, I had to rehome them,” she said simply. Anyone who has downsized for reasons beyond dogs understands the resignation in that sentence.
When I asked about a memorable win, she told a story that perfectly captures dog-show irony. She took a Borzoi to show in Indiana, needing just two points. There was only one other Borzoi in the ring and it was being professionally handled. During examination, she said, the judge “did not even look at my dog,” then told the other dog, “I can’t put you up, your dog is lame”—and handed Lynne Best of Breed. That got her into the group, where the Hound judge gave her “a group one.” And then fate, as it likes to do, arranged the punchline: Best in Show was judged by “the same judge that wouldn’t even look at my dog.”
On beginners, Lynne is practical: pay attention to the judge, train the dog, groom properly. “Be friendly to the competition,” she added. “It’s supposed to be fun.” She doesn’t romanticize the past—“There were a lot of politics, and I think that still happens today”—but she believes in learning the system rather than resenting it. Keep notes. Show consistently. Present yourself with confidence. “Walk into the ring with poise,” she said. “Even if it’s not a great dog, a judge who doesn’t know your breed may think you’re a somebody.”
Her breeding advice is equally unsentimental. Popular studs are not guarantees. “You’re not always going to get greatness just because you’re breeding to something popular.” Over time, she realized she often “got the grandparents, not the sire.” Structure matters. Type must be supported by sound construction.
Entry fees have climbed from $8 to over $30. Dress standards have relaxed. Campaigning strategies have evolved. But Lynne’s closing advice hasn’t changed.
“Just have fun,” she said. Then, with a knowing laugh: “As long as you’re on the losing end, you’ll have a lot of friends. The minute you start winning, those friends get very scarce.”
Be kind. Let criticism roll off unless it’s constructive. Remember why you started.
That, to me, is Lynne Hlavin’s legacy—not just champions, but perspective.
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