Canine Hotline - December 2025
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.
Joy Hirshbeel (joined 2023)
Terry Wagner (joined 2006)
Morgan Poulin (joined 2022)
Lisa Ligouri (joined 2022)
Tracy Roberson (joined 2021)
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:
🎉 Judy Boland - Dec 09
🎉 Lisa Ligouri - Dec 13
🎉 Joy Hirshbeel - Dec 21
🎉 Amanda Bartolomey - Dec 31
🎉 RIchard Patterson Jr. - Jan 28
🎉 Arina Stevenson - Jan 26
We hope your special day is filled with joy, puppy kisses, and a few extra treats! 🐾🎈
First Reading - December
Debbie McMurtry
Julia Grandt
Hello everyone and Happy New Year. We will have multiple meet the breed events, the Mardi Gras parade, picnic, and a host of other fun events for all to enjoy in 2026. I look forward to seeing all of you and hope you had a very happy holiday season.
-Terry
🗞️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.
Events & ReCaps 🎪🐾
Krew of Amalee Mardi Gras Dog Parade (DeLand)
Dust off the rhinestones and start practicing your best strut—Mardi Gras with dogs is coming back to DeLand, and WVKC will be right in the middle of the fun.
This year’s DeLand Mardi Gras Dog Parade & Festival, hosted by the Krewe of Amalee, lands on Valentine’s Day: Saturday, February 14, 2026, and the theme is pure Central Florida perfection: “Barkin’, Boots & Bling.” Think western flair, Mardi Gras sparkle, and dogs who fully understand that they are the main character.
WVKC will be participating again this year. We’re still cooking up our float concept, but if last year was any indication, it’s going to be loud, colorful, and an absolute blast. Between the costumes, the crowd energy, and the sheer joy of dogs parading through downtown, this event has a way of reminding us why we love sharing our dogs with the community.
If you joined us last year, you already know how much fun it was. If you missed it, this is your sign to circle the date now and plan to be there—dogs, friends, beads, and all.
More details, including participation info and float plans, will be coming soon. For now, mark your calendar, start brainstorming your Barkin’, Boots & Bling look, and get ready for one of the most joyful dog-friendly events of the year. 💜💚💛
WVKC 2026 Holiday Party Recap 🎄✨
The 2026 WVKC Holiday Party is officially in the bag—literally—and what a great way to wrap up the year together. Members gathered for an easygoing, festive evening that struck the perfect balance between business and fun.
We enjoyed a catered Sonny’s BBQ dinner with a generous spread of desserts that disappeared almost as quickly as they were set out. The meeting agenda was intentionally short, leaving plenty of time to celebrate what really matters: recognizing our volunteers, presenting awards, and enjoying each other’s company.
This year’s annual club gift was a beautifully made WVKC canvas tote bag, which was very well received and already making appearances around the room. The White Elephant gift exchange delivered exactly the chaos it promises—items were stolen up to the maximum three times, and the crowd favorites were clear. The “Merry Spirits” gifts were hot commodities, as was the famously coveted oversized pillow and Stitch, which changed hands more than once.
Between laughter, good food, thoughtful recognition, and a room full of familiar faces, the evening was a wonderful reminder of the strong community that makes WVKC special. We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year.
DeLand Christmas Parade Recap – Candy Cane Lane Delivers!
The annual DeLand Christmas Parade proved once again why it’s such a beloved community tradition—and WVKC was thrilled to be part of the magic. Although rain threatened earlier in the day, the skies cleared just in time for the parade kickoff and stayed cooperative for the entire evening. The result? Big crowds, high spirits, and dogs absolutely stealing the show.
WVKC’s theme this year, Candy Cane Lane, lit up the route with festive color, sparkle, and just the right amount of whimsy. From twinkling lights and candy cane accents to beautifully dressed dogs who clearly understood their assignment, our group drew smiles, waves, and plenty of cheers along the route. As always, the dogs were the true crowd favorites—posing patiently, soaking up attention, and representing the club with style and good manners.
The parade atmosphere was lively and joyful, with creative floats, festive costumes, and a strong community turnout despite the earlier weather concerns. It was a great reminder of how much the public enjoys seeing well-loved, well-handled dogs out in the community—and how much fun our members have sharing those moments together.
Thank you to everyone who participated, walked, decorated, handled dogs, or helped behind the scenes. Candy Cane Lane was a sweet success, and we’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year.
Training Success Spotlight 🐾🎉
Congratulations to the dogs from our most recent Basic Obedience class who successfully earned their CGCU (Canine Good Citizen Urban) titles: Quinne, Eursulon, Pink, Koda, and Finnegan! These teams worked hard throughout the session, and their passing scores are a testament to consistent effort, solid training, and great teamwork. 🎓🐶
A big thank-you and congratulations go to WVKC member and trainer Bain Foster, whose guidance and instruction helped set these teams up for success. We also extend our appreciation to Whit’s Frozen Custard in DeLand for graciously allowing the class to complete the final portion of CGCU testing at their location—providing a real-world urban environment that made the experience both practical and fun.
To top it off, teams celebrated their accomplishments with a well-earned frozen treat. 🍦
Congratulations as well to all the dogs who participated in the Rally class. Every team showed noticeable improvement with each session, and it was wonderful to see their progress week after week.
Well done to all involved—great training, great teamwork, and great results!
Upcoming Conformation Shows
Show | City | Date | Closes |
Florida Gulf Coast Cluster II | Brooksville | Jan 08-18 | Jan 07 |
Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers Assoc. | Ocala | Jan 24-25 | Jan 07 |
Strawberry Classic | Lakeland | Feb 12-15 | Jan 28 |
North Florida Classic Cluster | Tallahassee | Feb 18-22 | Feb 4 |
Beaches & Blues | Pensacola | Feb 27-March 1 | Feb 11 |
Fort Lauderdale Dog Club | West Palm Beach | March 19-22 | March 4 |
It's show season, get those BRAGS in!
Congratulations to WVKC member Maria Avellino and her Cane Corso Pink on earning her DCAT title in FastCAT this December! This achievement reflects speed, drive, and consistency on the field—and a lot of teamwork behind the scenes.
A special shout-out goes to member and volunteer Bill Herr, who served as the dog’s excellent releaser and helped make those fast runs count. As anyone who plays the FastCAT game knows, a great releaser can be the difference between a good run and a great one.
Well done to Maria, her impressive Cane Corso, and Bill for a job very well done. We love celebrating the many ways WVKC members and their dogs shine—on the field, in the ring, and everywhere in between.
❤️Meet the breeds recently added to the AKC!
The AKC recently announced that the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, and Teddy Roosevelt Terrier have earned full recognition, meaning they can now compete in AKC events and dog shows nationwide. Each of these breeds brings unique history and personality to the AKC family, and they span three different AKC Groups — giving prospective owners more variety when considering a breed that fits their lifestyle. https://www.akc.org/press-releases/the-pack-is-expanding-the-american-kennel-club-welcomes-three-new-breeds-to-the-registry/
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne joins the Hound Group as a hardy little French hunting dog with roots tracing back to 16th-century Brittany, where it began as a versatile scent hound used to track game. Known for its cheerful attitude, intelligence, and endurance, this medium-sized hound thrives with regular brisk walks and family time. Its coarse, wiry coat was bred to repel dirt and hold up during outdoor work, and it’s equally at home in scent work or cuddling with its people. https://bassetfauve.org/basset-fauve-history/
In the Toy Group, the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka brings a bit of European lapdog charm. Developed in post-World War II Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) by Russian enthusiasts, this small companion was bred for comfort and happiness in even modest living spaces. Bolonki are affectionate, intelligent, and adaptable, making them excellent family dogs. Their soft, often wavy coat requires regular brushing, and they enjoy playtime and gentle walks alongside their humans. https://www.rtbca.com/history-russian-bolonka/
Finally, the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier enters the Terrier Group with a distinctly American origin. This spirited terrier evolved from smaller working terriers used by early settlers to control vermin on farms and homesteads. Compact yet muscular, Teddy Roosevelt Terriers are energetic, eager to please, and devoted companions with a strong prey drive and a friendly disposition toward family. Though not originally a separate breed until modern breed clubs advanced its recognition, the Teddy’s heritage is deeply rooted in the practical hunting and utility dogs of America. http://www.teddyrooseveltterrier.org/more-about-teddies.html
Whether you’re curious about new AKC-eligible competitors at upcoming shows or dreaming about a breed that fits your lifestyle or living situation, these three additions offer fascinating variety from the hunting fields of France to cozy apartments and lively American homes.
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