Canine Hotline - May 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
Caleb Tolley
Welcome New Members!
Please join us in giving a warm WVKC welcome to our newest members, Debra Harner and Amanda Bartolomey! We're thrilled to have you both join our club and look forward to getting to know you and your dogs better. Whether it's ringside at a show, volunteering at an event, or simply sharing your love for purebred dogs, we’re excited to have you as part of the WVKC family. Welcome aboard! 🐾
🎉 Happy Member-versary 🎉
Please join us in celebrating Gretchen Howell, Norman Howell, Ernestine Selby, and Carol White on their WVKC membership anniversary! Since joining in 2022, each of you has brought wonderful energy, passion for dogs, and dedication to our club community. We’re so glad to have you as part of the WVKC family—here’s to many more years together! 🐾💙
🎂 Happy June Birthdays! 🎂
WVKC sends warm birthday wishes to our members celebrating this month:
🎉 Katherine Melvin – June 10
🎉 Mark Driggers – June 12
🎉 Deb Clancy – June 24
We hope your special day is filled with joy, puppy kisses, and a few extra treats! 🐾🎈
📅 Save the Dates — 2025 WVKC All-Breed Dog Show
Mark your calendars — our 2025 Annual All-Breed Dog Show is coming to the Volusia County Fairgrounds September 19–21, 2025!
2025 SHOW UPDATE
Get Ready — Our Biggest Event of the Year Is Coming!
We’re already in full swing preparing for our September show — WVKC’s biggest and most exciting event of the year! It takes all of us to make it happen, and your help makes the difference. The judges are locked in and listed on the AKC website — go take a look!
We’re thrilled to welcome back Mark Driggers as co-Grounds Chair alongside DeWayne Graves — talk about a dream team! 🎉 If you can spare a few hours during the show to help out at the gate, reach out to Mark or DeWayne to get on the schedule.
A huge round of applause to Susan Graves, our Volunteer Chair (Thank you-Thank you-Thank you!). When you see those cheerful young helpers assisting exhibitors unload or holding doors, you can thank Susan — she’s the genius behind the scenes. Know someone who’d like to volunteer at the show? Send them to Susan G!
Ginny Merchant is once again managing trophies (Thank you Ginny!). If you'd like to support your breed with a trophy please see Ginny. Deadline will be the June meeting.
And let’s not forget our raffle! Morgan Poulin is leading the charge again this year (we appreciate you, Morgan!). Have an item to donate? Bring it to the June meeting or contact Morgan directly.
We’ll also need volunteers for setup on Wednesday 9/17 afternoon and Thursday 9/18 morning, and breakdown on Sunday evening, 9/21. If you can lend a hand, see me, Mark Driggers, or DeWayne Graves for more info.
It takes a village — and WVKC is one amazing, world-class village. Let’s make this show unforgettable! See you ringside! 🐾🎪✨
Cheers,
Susan Shephard
WVKC Show Chair
407-230-9086
WVKC Supports Sophie’s Circle at Club Appreciation Day
On Saturday, May 24, the West Volusia Kennel Club was proud to participate in the 3rd Annual Club Appreciation Day and Sophie’s Circle Fundraiser hosted by Dog Sports Unlimited in New Smyrna Beach. This lively community event brought together local clubs, dog lovers, and rescue advocates for an evening of fun runs, food, and fundraising — all in support of a cause close to our hearts.
WVKC is honored to support Sophie’s Circle Dog Rescue, one of the nonprofit organizations our club proudly assists. During the event, WVKC presented Sophie’s Circle with a donation of $500 to help further their mission of rescuing and rehoming dogs in need.
The event featured free Fast CAT fun runs for club members, a delicious Sonny’s BBQ dinner, raffles, vendors, and an opportunity to connect with fellow dog enthusiasts under the evening lights. It was a joyful and energetic night — and a reminder of the good that happens when clubs and the community come together.
We’re thankful to Dog Sports Unlimited for organizing such a spirited event and giving clubs like ours a chance to give back while doing what we love. If you missed it this year, mark your calendar for next time — you won’t want to miss the speed, smiles, and shared support that make Club Appreciation Day so special.
💸 Don’t Snooze on Your Dues!
Friendly reminder — annual club dues are due by July 1st!
You’ve got options:
💻 Pay online anytime (small service fee applies)
💵 Bring cash to the May or June general meeting
Stay in good standing, keep your voting privileges, and help support all the great things we do together. Questions? Contact the club Treasurer!
Let’s keep the club strong — pay those dues and keep wagging forward! 🐾
Classes are open for registration!
2025 training session start dates:
Puppy Classes: August 11
Basic Obedience: FULL!
Rally: October 15
Conformation Class: Wednesdays, thru June 25th 7pm- Drop-ins welcome. Come get ring-ready!
🩺 Demystifying Your Pet’s Lab Results
Ever puzzled over your pet’s bloodwork or urinalysis results?
Dr. W. Jean Dodds of Hemopet offers a comprehensive guide to help pet owners understand these vital diagnostic tools. Her article breaks down key components of lab tests, such as the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and serum chemistries, explaining how they assess organ function, hydration, and detect conditions like anemia or infections. For instance, elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALK P) levels might indicate liver issues or Cushing’s disease, while changes in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) can reflect kidney function or dietary factors. Hemopet | A Healthy Pet For A Happy Homeclovervethospital.com+1Hemopet | A Healthy Pet For A Happy Home+1Hemopet | A Healthy Pet For A Happy Home
Dr. Dodds emphasizes the importance of interpreting these results within the context of your pet’s overall health, age, and breed-specific norms. She also highlights how factors like diet, including raw food intake, can influence lab values. Hemopet | A Healthy Pet For A Happy Home
For a deeper dive into understanding your pet’s lab results, read the full article here: Understanding Your Pet's Blood, Tissue and Urine Laboratory Results.
Article - Genetic Testing: The Breeder’s Secret Weapon
Breeding beautiful, healthy purebred dogs is part science, part art—and thanks to modern genetics, breeders now have a powerful tool to help keep their lines strong: canine genetic testing.
If the term “genetic testing” makes you think of white lab coats and confusing DNA jargon, don’t worry—you don’t need a PhD to use it wisely. In fact, genetic tests have become more affordable, accessible, and incredibly useful for breeders who want to do right by their dogs and their breed.
So what exactly can these tests tell you?
✅ Inherited Diseases – Testing can reveal whether a dog is clear, a carrier, or at risk for genetic conditions like PRA, DM, or vWD. Knowing this helps breeders make informed decisions that reduce the chance of passing on disease.
✅ Genetic Diversity – Some tests go beyond individual diseases and look at how closely related dogs are within a breed. This helps preserve genetic variety, which is critical for long-term health and vitality.
✅ Breed-Specific Concerns – Every breed has its own set of known issues. Genetic screening lets breeders tailor their plans based on what’s most relevant to their dogs.
And here’s the best part—you don’t have to test everything at once. Starting with key tests recommended for your breed by your parent club or the AKC’s Breed Health Testing Requirements list is a great first step.
But why bother, especially if your dogs “look healthy”? Because looks can be deceiving. Dogs can carry harmful mutations without showing a single sign, and those silent genes can spread quietly through a line. Testing now saves heartbreak later.
“But I Know My Lines…” — Why Genetic Testing Still Matters
It’s easy to think genetic testing isn’t necessary if you’ve bred your line for years and know your pedigrees inside and out. But here’s why even the most experienced breeders are turning to genetic tools:
Pedigree Isn’t DNA
Pedigrees track ancestry, but they can’t reveal hidden carriers of genetic diseases or the degree of actual genetic relatedness between dogs. Two dogs from different branches of a family tree might still be surprisingly close genetically—or not at all.
Silent Carriers
Some inherited diseases don’t appear unless two carriers are bred together. A healthy-looking dog might carry a harmful gene silently for generations until the right pairing brings it to light.
The Bottleneck Effect
Many breeds have gone through population bottlenecks (a dramatic reduction in breeding stock), which can cause high levels of inbreeding even when dogs appear unrelated on paper. Diversity testing can help you avoid pairings that unintentionally reinforce this.
Preserving Genetic Diversity
Over time, breeding for type, temperament, or show success can narrow your gene pool. Diversity testing shows you how to keep your line healthy without sacrificing your hard-earned traits—by identifying compatible mates that introduce new genetic combinations.
Validation and Peace of Mind
Genetic testing doesn’t replace your breeding knowledge—it enhances it. It confirms what you know, uncovers what you can’t see, and gives you confidence in your decisions
In short, genetic testing isn’t about “perfection”—it’s about progress. It’s how we honor the dogs we love by giving them the healthiest future possible.
Thinking about testing but not sure where to start? Check out these AKC resources:
Explore your options, ask questions, and take that first swab. Because healthy puppies don’t happen by accident—they happen by design.
Upcoming Conformation Shows
Show | City | Date | Closes |
Sunshine State Cluster | Tampa | June 11-15 | Closed |
Horseshoe Cluster | Ocala | July 4-6 | June 18 |
Pawprints In the Sand | West Palm Beach | July 11-13 | June 25 |
WVKC | Deland | Sept 19-21 | Sept 03 |
Greater Naples DC | Fort Myers | Oct 11-12 | 09/24 |
Brandon FL KC | Plant City | Oct 25-26 | Oct 08 |
🎉 Member Brags – A May to Remember for Nottingham Kennels! 🎉
WVKC is thrilled to celebrate a fantastic month of wins for Cathy and Mark Driggers of Nottingham Kennels, whose beautiful Pomeranians have been turning heads in show rings across the country!
🐾 Nottingham’s Tribute To Yellowstone “Tate” made an incredible debut by going Winners Dog and Best of Opposite at the Hendersonville Kennel Club show in Fletcher, NC—earning a 4-point major just after turning 6 months old! What a way to kick off a show career!
🌲 Over in Texas, Nottingham’s Snowy Forest “Aspen”, a stunning bred-by puppy, wowed the crowd by taking a Group 2nd from the 9–12 Month Puppy class at the Caddo Kennel Club show. A big accomplishment for such a young competitor!
🏆 And back here in Florida, Nottingham’s Promise Between Friends “Rachel” stole the spotlight by earning a Best Puppy in Show title at the Heartland Dog Club of Florida show!
Three beautiful Poms, three big wins, and one incredibly proud WVKC cheering section—congrats Cathy and Mark on a month of unforgettable success in and out of the ring! 🧡🐕✨
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