Canine Hotline - March 2025
Updated: Apr 3, 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 • Bill Herr
📩 Meeting Minutes from the General Meeting are now available as a PDF download.
Second Reading
Amanda Bartolomey
____________________
First Reading
Caleb Tolley
Deb Horner
Join Dewayne & Mt. Dora Fit Dog for a Spring Scurry Walk!
Looking for a fun way to get active with your dog? WVKC member Dewayne Graves and Mt. Dora Fit Dog are hosting a Fit Dog Walk this April, and you're invited! This event is part of the AKC Spring Scurry, a nationwide movement encouraging dog owners to get outside and move together.
🗓 Date & Time: April 25, 9 AM
📍 Location: Contact Dewayne
🐾 Who Can Join? Everyone! Bring your dog, your friends, and your walking shoes!
💰 Cost: $10 to count toward the Fit Dog Walk. If you'd like your walk to count for the Spring Scurry, visit the AKC webpage for additional details and registration costs.
You don’t have to complete the full 5K—walk at your own pace and enjoy the fresh air with fellow dog lovers. Participating in this walk can count toward AKC Fit Dog titles and the Spring Scurry challenge.
📩 To participate, message Dewayne on the Mt. Dora Fit Dog Facebook page or email him at seafieldcollies@gmail.com.
Come on out and get ready to walk, wag, and have fun! 🐶🚶
✨ WVKC’s Second Fast CAT Event – A Running Success! ✨
WVKC hosted its second Fast CAT event of 2025 on March 9 at Dog Sports Unlimited, and it was another fantastic day of speed, smiles, and wagging tails! Dogs of all breeds and experience levels came out to chase the lure and rack up points toward their FastCAT titles.
With a festive St. Patrick’s Day theme, participants had the chance to snap some fun, holiday-inspired photos after their runs. The decorations and props were a huge hit, with many handlers and their dogs getting into the spirit of the day!
A big thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and cheered on the bunny chasers. WVKC is proud to bring exciting dog sports opportunities to our community, and we look forward to seeing even more of you at our next event! 🍀🐶
Upcoming Conformation Shows
Show | City | Date | Closes |
Heartland Dog Club | Fort Myers | May 15-18 | April 30 |
Greater Venice | Tampa | June 11-15 | May 28 |
Citrus County KC | Ocala | July 4-6 | June 18 |
Jupiter-tequesta DC | West Palm Beach | July 11-13 | June 25 |
Sarasota KC | Tampa | August 8 | July 23 |
Big Wins!
A huge congratulations to Bill Herr on an incredible weekend in the show ring!
🏆 T-Jack Swagger of Godlike Step took Winners Dog and Best of Winners under judges Patricia Trotter and Gopi Krishnan on March 21 and 23—what a fantastic achievement for this promising young Bullmastiff!
🏅 Meanwhile, GCH CH Rustic Lace Amazing Grace (Grace) unofficially earned her Bronze Grand Championship with two Best Opposite Sex wins in the Breed ring!
Way to go, Bill and Grace! 🎉🐶👏
The Raleigh show circuit was a fantastic success for Ginny Merchant and her Rhodesian Ridgebacks!
🐾 Zara took Winner’s Bitch on Wednesday for a 4-point major under Judge Michael Faulkner—now she’s just a few singles away from her championship!
🐾 Zorii Bliss pulled off the miracle of miracles on Friday, finishing her championship with a 4-point major under Judge Bonnie Threlfall! This girl has made it clear that the show ring is not her favorite place—but thanks to Arvind M. De Braganca, she’s officially retired from it for good!
Huge thanks to Arvind for all his dedication and handling expertise.
Congratulations, Ginny, on an incredible weekend! 🎉🐶👏
A huge congratulations to Krystal Cliver for her continued success campaigning her Standard Poodles across multiple venues!
Her incredible boy Todd has earned the Versatility in Poodles Certificate Excellent for (among other requirements) his impressive range of conformation, sport, and community titles, highlighting his well-rounded abilities. On top of that, Todd recently achieved his Therapy Dog Novice (THDN) title, adding to his long list of accomplishments. Todd is now:
✨ National Total Dog DASH AP2 VPN RACEA CA UWPCH Int/Nat WCCH UKC DGCH Thru The Eyes of Toddius Vongriseo FDC CA DCAT CGCA CGCU THDN TKN ATT SPOT-ON ✨
Not to be outdone, Krystal's boy Rufio also made waves by earning his DCAT title at DSU! 🏅
Krystal’s dedication to showcasing the versatility of Poodles is truly admirable. Her hard work and commitment continue to inspire her accomplices and competitors.
Congratulations, Krystal, Todd, and Rufio! 🐩👏
🎉 Congratulations to WVKC Member Audria Ross! 🎉
Club member Audria Ross achieved the AKC Breeder of Merit recognition for her dedication to Standard Poodles! 🏆🐩
This honor is awarded to breeders who uphold the highest standards in health testing, responsible breeding, and commitment to preserving and improving their breed. Audria's passion, hard work, and dedication to the breed are truly commendable.
We are proud to have dedicated breeders as part of WVKC —way to go, Audria! 🎊👏🐩
Dog Show Resource Available for New Exhibitors
For those new to the world of dog shows, getting started can sometimes feel overwhelming. Recently, WVKC was made aware of an online resource, Go Show Dogs!, designed to help beginners gain confidence and foundational knowledge about the sport.
This course, developed in memory of longtime exhibitor Jan Breitenfeldt, covers topics such as selecting and training a show dog, entering shows, grooming essentials, and handling skills. More details can be found at www.GoShowDogs.com.
While WVKC as a whole does not actively endorse third party paid services, we recognize that some exhibitors may find this resource helpful. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about conformation showing, this may be a useful tool!
AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the Future of Purebred Dog Breeding: Embracing Technology to Improve Our Programs
By Audria Ross
Not long ago, I received a call from a local physician searching for a Standard Poodle puppy. She confessed that she had turned to CoPilot for help, asking it to find "the best poodle breeder near Orlando that shows dogs and has therapy dogs." To my surprise, the AI’s response described my program in glowing terms—nearly word-for-word from my website—positioning me as the cream of the crop among Standard Poodle breeders.
This experience was eye-opening. It highlighted how AI is shaping the way people search for and choose breeders, trainers, and dog-related services. If a prospective puppy buyer or future exhibitor is using AI to narrow their search, then those of us in the world of conformation and responsible breeding must be proactive in ensuring our programs are visible and accurately represented.
Why AI Matters for Breeders and Exhibitors
The purebred dog community has long relied on reputation and word of mouth to sustain breeding programs and competition lines. While this approach has served us well, it may not be enough for the future. Younger generations of dog owners and exhibitors increasingly rely on digital tools to find their ideal breeder or mentor. AI is quickly becoming a part of that equation.
AI is not replacing experience; it is enhancing our ability to share that experience with the right audience.
AI is not just a search engine tool—it has the potential to revolutionize how we organize our breeding programs, structure our show schedules, and analyze genetic data to make informed decisions. For those of us dedicated to preserving and improving our breeds, it is essential to understand and leverage AI to strengthen our efforts.
How AI Can Benefit Breeders and Exhibitors
Here are a few ways AI can support and enhance our work in purebred dogs:
1. Marketing and Visibility
If you have a website, social media presence, or even just a digital footprint, AI is already helping people find you. By ensuring that your website is updated with relevant, clear information about your breeding program, health testing protocols, and accomplishments, AI-generated responses will work in your favor. If you don’t have a website, it may be time to consider creating one—even a simple page can make a difference.
2. Show Scheduling and Travel Planning
AI-powered tools can streamline show schedules by analyzing competition locations, entry deadlines, and past judge preferences to help exhibitors make strategic decisions. Instead of manually sifting through premium lists, AI can recommend the best circuits based on factors such as judge history, competition levels, and travel logistics.
3. Breeding and Genetic Analysis
Advancements in AI allow breeders to analyze pedigrees, coefficients of inbreeding (COI), and genetic diversity reports more efficiently. AI-powered tools can process large amounts of health and genetic data, helping breeders make better-informed decisions when selecting mates to improve structure, temperament, reducing genetic bottlenecks and risky haplotypes, and improving overall breed health.
4. Puppy Placements and Owner Matching
Some breeders already use AI to enhance puppy placement processes. AI-based applications can collect and analyze prospective owner responses, matching them with the best-suited puppy based on temperament, lifestyle compatibility, and previous successful placements.
5. Educational and Mentorship Opportunities
AI can also support the education of new exhibitors and breeders. By utilizing AI-powered chatbots or automated resources, experienced breeders can offer guidance without the time-consuming task of answering the same questions repeatedly. This allows us to mentor more effectively while still focusing on our programs.
Addressing Concerns: "I Don't Need AI—I've Been Doing This for Decades!"
Many well-established breeders rely on their reputation, past clients, and personal referrals to place their puppies. While these traditional methods remain invaluable, they do not account for the changing ways that new owners and exhibitors are searching for information.
Even if you do not personally use AI, your potential puppy buyers and fellow exhibitors are. Ensuring that accurate and positive information is available about your program—whether through a website, social media, or breed club listings—means that when AI compiles information for a prospective owner, it represents you correctly. AI is not replacing experience; it is enhancing our ability to share that experience with the right audience.
Getting Started with AI Tools
If you're interested in integrating AI into your breeding program or show planning, here are some steps to consider:
Create or Update Your Website – Ensure your website contains detailed information about your breeding program, health testing, show achievements, and contact methods.
Utilize AI-Assisted Scheduling Tools – Platforms like Google Calendar with AI integrations or specialized dog show apps can help optimize show schedules.
Explore AI-Driven Genetic Analysis – BetterBred and other breed-specific genetic tools use AI to help assess diversity and health data.
Engage on Social Media – AI-based algorithms favor active accounts, so keeping an updated presence can improve visibility.
Experiment with AI-Powered Writing Tools – If you struggle with writing puppy contracts, educational materials, or website updates, AI writing assistants can help streamline the process.
Looking Forward
AI is not something to fear—it is a tool that can help us reach more people, make better-informed decisions, and ensure the longevity of our breeding programs and the purebred dog community. By embracing AI where it makes sense, we can continue to adapt and grow, ensuring that our breeds remain strong for future generations.
The world is changing, and the way people find and engage with breeders is evolving. If we want to welcome the next generation into the sport of purebred dogs, we need to meet them where they are. And today, that place is increasingly shaped by AI.
Are you ready to take advantage of this new technology? The future is here—and we can use it to our advantage!
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