June 2026
The June 2026 issue of Showsight Magazine, 268 pages, free to read in full below.
Page 18
Dog shows can provide unexpected moments that just stick with you. One such experience happened for me at a show where I saw a very young exhibitor in the ring with a giant-sized dog that probably outweighed its handler…
Page 30
Month to month we continue developing our outreach and programs across the AKC. This month, we have some exciting news to share surrounding international collaboration, contests and awards, developments in NOHS, and our…
Page 36
It is now the end of the first quarter and the dog show year is set. In my household, we have a running discussion about picking who will be top dog in each Group before St. Patrick’s Day. By this time, it seems like…
Page 42
As GLP‑1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro become increasingly common in households, including those with dogs, they are introducing a largely overlooked safety risk. With these powerful drugs being…
Page 46
Born, raised, and currently reside in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, 15 minutes south of Lake Erie, in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Page 52
Forty-six years ago, a dream was born for a Quarter Century Collie Group. It was the brain child of Murray Drucker whose famous Collie Review magazine was the “must read” of the time. Dr. William Brokken was president…
Page 60
While participating in our dog show world, do you ever find yourself asking, “Do the Breed Standards even matter?”
Page 66
Last month, I discussed considerations when pairing a newbie Junior with a dog show partner. Creating a winning team, though, is a complex formula combining the pragmatic and practical with, surprisingly, the illogical…
Page 72
I recently judged a show in Montana, and the show chair was an exceptional human being and leader. We had several opportunities to talk in depth about his style of leadership and the effect it had on his club. The club…
Page 76
In popular breeds, market demand can influence breeding decisions by those who are not breeding with purpose or intent, and who lack a long-term plan for the breed. Characteristics that are easy to market—such as size…
Page 80
Technology guru Steve Jobs once wrote, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.” And so, to start these musings, I would like to reflect on this year’s Crufts and in…
Page 88
Imagine a beautifully decorated event, beyond glorious rosettes, custom frameable invitations, a stunning catalog, wonderful trophies, swag bags, and awards, and you’d probably think–Top 20! Well, the Junior…
Page 94
Breeders or judges who aspire to become specialists in a given breed will, at one point, make an in-depth study of the Breed Standard. They will start from scratch—but what does that mean? It involves going through the…
Page 100
1. How did your journey as professional handlers begin, and what keeps you passionate about this career today? (We’d love to hear about your backgrounds, your mentors, and your first times in the ring.)
Page 108
1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?
Page 112
1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?
Page 116
I live in Chicago, Illinois, and I am a junior at Penn Foster academy.
Page 126
My name is Nicholas Wameling, and for those of you who don’t know me, I’ve been involved in dog sports—specifically AKC Conformation—for about six years now.
Page 144
The Sporting Group includes some of the most well-known and popular dog breeds. Most were originally bred to work alongside hunters to locate, point, flush, or retrieve birds and waterfowl. These dogs were bred to take…
Page 154
Compact, muscular, and bred to work, the American Water Spaniel is a true dual-purpose hunting dog developed in the American Midwest. Recognized for its wavy or tightly curled liver or brown coat, this spaniel is built…
Page 156
A rustic French water dog with a dense, curly coat and charming expression, the Barbet is as cheerful as it is versatile. Historically used for waterfowl hunting, this medium-sized breed is athletic, intelligent, and…
Page 158
Developed in South Carolina to flush and retrieve game from swamps and boats, the Boykin Spaniel is a compact, energetic gun dog with a rich liver or chocolate-colored coat. With webbed feet for swimming and a cheerful…
Page 160
With noble carriage and soulful eyes, the Bracco Italiano is one of the oldest pointing breeds, dating back to Renaissance Italy. Strong, muscular, and built for endurance, this dog excels at trotting over varied…
Page 162
Energetic, agile, and compact, the Brittany is a bird dog through and through—bred for pointing and retrieving. With its light build, high-set ears, and a tail that’s naturally short or docked, the Brittany is always on…
Page 164
Powerful and rugged, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was bred to retrieve waterfowl in the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Its dense, oily coat—usually in shades of brown, sedge, or deadgrass—offers weather resistance…
Page 166
The Clumber Spaniel is the largest of the spaniels, known for its dignified demeanor, heavy bone, and long, low body. With a soft, dense white coat, variously marked with lemon or orange, the Clumber was bred to move…
Page 170
The Sporting Group’s smallest hunter, the “American” Cocker Spaniel is beloved for its expressive eyes, silky coat, and merry personality. Once widely used to hunt woodcock, the breed is now a cherished family…
Page 172
Distinguished by its tight, crisp curls that cover the entire body, the Curly-Coated Retriever is among the oldest of the retriever breeds. Developed in England for upland game and waterfowl, this tall, elegant dog is…
Page 176
Compact, merry, and sporting a silky coat with feathering, the English Cocker Spaniel was originally bred to hunt game birds, especially woodcock. It’s slightly taller and more driven than its American cousin, with a…
Page 178
Graceful and elegant with a flowing, feathered coat, the English Setter is a gentleman of the field. Bred to locate and “set” game birds, this breed works with quiet intensity and style. Known for its distinctive…
Page 180
Lively, athletic, and full of heart, the English Springer Spaniel is a born upland game hunter and a tireless worker. With a compact, balanced build and a dense, moderately feathered coat, this spaniel excels in the…
Page 182
Calm, noble, and a bit understated, the Field Spaniel is a medium-sized Sporting breed with a feathered coat and a kind expression. Developed to be both a capable field worker and a biddable companion, the Field Spaniel…
Page 184
Forever youthful in spirit, the Flat-Coated Retriever is known for its joyful demeanor and glossy black or liver coat. With its sleek, moderate build and distinguished head, this retriever is built for endurance and…
Page 186
Versatile, athletic, and powerfully built, the German Shorthaired Pointer is a dynamic hunting dog that excels at pointing, retrieving, and endurance. With its lean, muscular body, short coat, and noble head, the GSP is…
Page 199
Sturdy and rugged, with a harsh and weather-resistant coat and expressive facial furnishings, the German Wirehaired Pointer is built for long days in rough terrain. A true all-purpose hunting dog, the GWP is versatile…
Page 200
America’s sweetheart, the Golden Retriever is beloved for its friendly, eager-to-please personality and rich golden coat. Originally developed in Scotland for retrieving game over land and water, the Golden is strong…
Page 202
The heaviest and most substantial of the setters, the Gordon Setter is a powerful bird dog with striking black-and-tan coloring and an air of noble confidence. Bred in Scotland for endurance and rugged work in the…
Page 208
Elegant and athletic, the Irish Red and White Setter is a distinct and historic breed known for its striking coloration and strong hunting instincts. With a well-balanced body and silky coat marked clearly in red and…
Page 216
Famous for its flowing mahogany coat and rollicking good nature, the Irish Setter is an eye-catching, stylish, and energetic sporting dog. Bred to locate and point upland game, the Irish Setter moves with elegance and…
Page 217
The tallest of the spaniels, the Irish Water Spaniel is an unmistakable figure with its topknot, crisply curled coat, and “rat tail.” Bred in Ireland for retrieving waterfowl, the IWS is a born swimmer, combining the…
Page 218
A very popular dog for good reason, the Labrador Retriever is the ultimate all-around companion. Originally from Newfoundland and refined in England, the Lab was bred to retrieve game from water and land. Sturdy…
Page 219
OF RUSTIC APPEARANCE, WITH A DENSE, CURLY COAT OF WOOLY TEXTURE
Page 220
Bright-eyed and feathered in orange-red and white, the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is an uncommonly handsome Dutch breed once used to lure ducks into traps. This small sporting companion has a lively yet gentle…
Page 221
The smallest of the retrievers, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever—or “Toller”—packs intensity and intelligence into a compact, foxlike frame. Developed in Canada to lure and retrieve waterfowl, the Toller is…
Page 222
With its noble stance and unmistakable silhouette, the Pointer is built for speed, stamina, and precision. Bred to locate birds and “point” with dramatic intensity, the Pointer is a graceful athlete with a short, smooth…
Page 226
Gentle, steady, and full of rustic charm, the Spinone Italiano is a ruggedly built hunting dog from Italy, known for its wiry coat, thick eyebrows, and soft expression. Bred for pointing and retrieving on all types of…
Page 227
Long, low, and heavyset, the Sussex Spaniel is a slow-moving but determined hunter, developed to flush game in dense cover. With its rich golden-liver coat, expressive face, and low-slung build, the Sussex has a…
Page 228
Graceful, golden-rust in color, and full of drive, the Vizsla is a versatile Hungarian hunter known for its elegance and intensity. With a lean, muscular build and close, smooth coat, the Vizsla is as affectionate as it…
Page 232
Sleek, silver-gray, and strikingly regal, the Weimaraner is Germany’s “Gray Ghost”—a breed developed for hunting large game with strength and stamina. With a smooth, short coat and aristocratic bearing, the Weimaraner…
Page 233
Compact, sturdy, and covered in a rich red-and-white coat, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a devoted and active hunting companion. With its soft expression, slightly domed head, and weatherproof coat, this spaniel was…
Page 234
With its rough, dense coat and bushy eyebrows, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a rugged, all-purpose hunting dog of European origin. Known as the “supreme gundog,” this breed is prized for its close-working style…
Page 238
Possessing the power and drive of the Vizsla but with a protective, weather-resistant coat, the Wirehaired Vizsla is a Hungarian breed developed for versatility and endurance. With its wiry golden-rust coat…
Page 244
BY JENNIFER CLARK, SHEILA GOFFE, AND PHIL GUIDRY, AKC GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Page 250
New York, NY- The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is…
Page 251
New York, NY- The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry, and a leading advocate for dogs, and the New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC), are pleased to announce…
Page 252
A three-day festival of canine sports and family-friendly fun took place at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on June 5-7, 2026. The Marine Parade Ground Field was transformed into an oasis of doggie activities, featuring the…
Page 256
Few all-breed shows today are able to draw 2,000 individual entries, the targeted goal that had long been the gauge for determining an event’s success. Of course, Westminster and “Orlando” certainly come to mind for…