Canine Hotline - February 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 Dee Pounds
Secretary Ginny Merchant
Treasurer Maria Avelino
AKC Delegate Cathy Driggers
FAKC Delegate Cathy Driggers
Show Chair Susan Shephard
Board of Directors
Kati Boswell • Susan Graves • Bain Foster • Dee Pounds • Windie Rhodes • Susan Shephard • Scott Owen
📩 Meeting Minutes from the February General Meeting are now available as a PDF download.
Welcome to the Club!
Audria Ross - October
1243 Floral Way, Apopka FL 32703
321-279-4880
Forest City Standards - Standard Poodle
Melody Brittingham - October
Krystal Cliver - November
16801 SE Highway 42, Weirsdale FL
954-288-5126
Thru The Eyes of Poodles - Standard Poodle
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First Reading (02/11/25)
Amanda Bartolomey
 February 28, 2025 We had a great time at our 2 events - F-Cat and The Dog Parade. I would like to thank everyone that participated. A special thanks to our Events Coordinator Cathy Driggers for having a fantastic Meet the Breed and Dog Parade. Please remember that this month we will be hosting a Celebration of Life on behalf of Harriet Ann "ANNIE" Register and her son Joe. All laughter and smiles as she would want it. We will be having Sonny's BBQ for diner, come hungry, Terry |
March Puppy and Rally classes start soon! If you or someone you know are interested, be sure to sign up on the WVKC website!
✨ FastCAT Under the Stars! ✨
WVKC kicked off February with an exhilarating nighttime FastCAT event at Dog Sports Unlimited on February the 8th! 🌙🐾 Our speedy pups raced under the lights, chasing that elusive "bunny" with enthusiasm—some even setting personal bests! It was a fantastic evening filled with fast dogs, great company, and lots of cheering.
🚀 Did you miss out? Don’t worry! We’re doing it again on Sunday, March 9! Mark your calendars and get ready for another fun-filled day of running, racing, and tail-wagging excitement. Whether you’re volunteering, chasing a title or just looking for a great time with your dog, we can’t wait to see you there!
🐶💨 Sign up early, and let’s keep the FastCAT fun going!
Another DeLand Dog Parade is in the books, and this year we brought a little Fifth Avenue to the streets! Kudos to Cathy and Mark A. Driggers for pulling off a great Dog Parade exhibit and managing Meet the Breeds.
Thanks also to those who came out to support WVKC whether it be setting up, marching in the parade, representing your breed, or just on the sidelines cheering. You make WVKC proud!
Breed Spotlight
Meet the Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai (AKK) is a small companion dog with an arctic heritage, currently in AKC’s Foundation Stock Service (FSS). Agile, intelligent, and energetic, they resemble a miniature husky but are bred solely for companionship.
A Unique Breed
Dog trainer Karissa Solberg first encountered the Alaskan Klee Kai in 2008 and was captivated by their intelligence. While highly trainable, they are not for everyone. Many are reserved with strangers and bond deeply with their families. "If you want a social dog, this is not the breed for you," Solberg warns.
Her own Alaskan Klee Kai, Kaiser, remains aloof with strangers, while Kizzy is exceptionally friendly and works as a therapy dog. Focused breeding efforts are helping produce more social Alaskan Klee Kai, but their natural tendency is to be cautious around new people.
A Brief History
The breed was developed in Alaska in the 1970s by Linda Spurlin, who sought a smaller companion version of the Alaskan Husky. Officially named in 1995, the AKK comes in three sizes:
Toy: Up to 13 inches
Miniature: 13-15 inches
Standard: 15-17 inches
They have a wedge-shaped head, erect ears, a signature facial mask, and a curled tail. Coat colors vary, but all-white is not accepted.
Living with an Klee Kai
Klee Kai are energetic and require regular exercise. Due to their prey drive, they should always be leashed or in a secure yard. They are vocal, using a “woo-woo” sound and even a distinct scream when displeased.
Their affection levels vary; some enjoy brief cuddles, while others, like Kizzy, love human touch. They get along well with other dogs and thrive with active owners.
Health & Grooming
The breed is generally healthy. Responsible breeding has nearly eliminated the Factor VII bleeding disorder, though occasional heart defects and luxating patella occur. Their double coat requires little maintenance aside from seasonal shedding.
AKC Participation & Final Thoughts
The Alaskan Klee Kai was accepted into AKC's Foundation Stock Service in 2020, and is working toward membership in the Non-Sporting group for conformation.
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a fascinating breed for experienced owners who appreciate their intelligence, loyalty, and striking looks. As they progress in AKC’s FSS program, they continue to gain admirers in the purebred dog world.
🌟 Huge Congratulations to Jim Danhauer & new AKC CH Kinloch’s All Things Considered BCAT "Codee!" 🌟
WVKC is thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of Jim Danhauer and his stunning Irish Setter, Codee, at the Atlanta Show Cluster in February! 🎉
🏆 Codee is now an AKC and UKC Champion! 🏆
This dynamic duo had an unforgettable weekend in Atlanta, finishing in style with:
• A 4-point major on Thursday to complete his championship
• Three Best of Breed wins
• A Group 1 in Owner-Handled
And to top it all off, Codee earned his BCAT in FastCAT! 🎉👏
What an incredible achievement—congratulations, Jim and Codee! WVKC is so proud of you both! 🐾
🎉 Congratulations to Ginny Merchant & Risa! 🎉
WVKC is proud to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of Ginny Merchant and her talented French Bulldog, Risa this February! 🏆🐾
🐕💨 Risa earned her BCAT title during WVKC’s FastCAT—speedy and determined!🐭🏅 She also earned her Novice Barn Hunt (RATN) title—showing off her incredible nose work skills!
With plans to continue competing toward her Open Barn Hunt title, we can’t wait to see what this powerhouse team achieves next! 👏🔥
Way to go, Ginny and Risa! 🎊🐾
Legislative notes - Florida Senator Martin has submitted Senate Bill 1830 with potentially significant impacts on Dog Breeders, with a targeted implementation date of July 1, 2025. Highlights of the proposed bill:
SB 1830: Fees/Dog Breeders – Potential Impacts on Show Breeders
New Legislation Proposed by FL Senator Jonathan Martin
Mandatory Registration: Show breeders who own intact females over six months old must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, even if they only breed occasionally.
Annual Renewal & Fees: Registration must be renewed yearly, with potential penalties for late renewals (up to $500).
Facility Inspections: Any location housing an intact female is considered a "breeding facility" and subject to inspections.
Presumption of Breeding: Any intact female dog over the age of 6-months is presumed to be for breeding unless the owner provides proof otherwise.
Public Database: Registered breeders' names, facility inspections, and any violations will be listed in a publicly accessible database.
Microchipping Requirement: All breeding females and any puppies offered for sale must be microchipped and registered with the state.
New Standards of Care: The department will set care requirements, potentially limiting the number of litters per year and imposing specific health and housing regulations.
Retail Sale Restrictions: Pet stores and other sellers must display breeder registration and inspection certificates and cannot sell dogs that don’t meet microchipping rules.
Whistleblower Program: Encourages the public to report violations, with possible rewards funded through fines.
Local Ordinance Precedence: Cities and counties can impose stricter regulations beyond this bill’s requirements.
Civil & Criminal Penalties: Breeders who do not comply may face fines, facility closure, or confiscation of dogs.
These regulations may impose significant administrative, financial, and operational burdens on small-scale show and hobby breeders.
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