The Weekly Brief
The best of SHOWSIGHT editorials, weekly wins, and breeder commentary — delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning.
As I reflect on the first half of this 2026, I smile recalling things that have brought me great joy!
Seeing my longtime friend Bryan McNabb at dog shows is always something I look forward to! You know Bryan, the dog show photographer with the magnetic personality who welcomes everyone with a big smile. Bryan also knows that, in every single photo, the details make a difference!
During our recent visit, I could hardly wait to see photos from Bryan and Shea’s son’s recent wedding. The celebrations took place in Wilmington, North Carolina, at the Wilmington Arts Center.
Bryan Jones grew up sitting on my father Roy Ayers’ knee when we all grew up in Georgia’s Atlanta Kennel Club. Before he became an AKC all-rounder judge, my dad was President for quite a number of years, and Bryan’s mother Vicky Jones followed. South Carolina is now home to Bryan and Michelle Jones, and to me. I count the Jones family as extended family.
The Jones have played an active role in our sport, spanning four generations. Daughter Mackenzie Jones Cullins and her husband Christopher, now residing in Maryland, are celebrating the birth of their first son, Grayson Russell Cullins, and I have already claimed Grayson to carry on dog world activities for a fifth generation! Look for him in Pee Wees in just a few short years!
Michelle and Mackenzie just took Grayson to the Galley on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell during his visit here.
Another joyful thing to witness is to see grown men with their toys! While Frank Murphy has taken a break from the ring, he’s burning rubber on his newest Harley Davidson motorcycle. You know Frank and his reputation for showing Number One dogs, so naturally, he acquired Harley’s state of the art 2026 Enthusiast Collection Limited Edition, celebrating 250 years of the country where Harley-Davidson was born and raised. And his motorcycle just happens to be the only one in the country that is all blacked out!
To break in that new beauty, Frank, along with buddies Mike McGraw and Rick Starr, blazed a trail through the Great Smokey Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway up to Clingmans Dome, the Moonshiner 28, the Tail of the Dragon, the Rattler, and others, spending nights in Bryson City, Pigeon Forge, and Asheville.
Our culture allows us to wish away whole months of our lives just to welcome football season. It won’t be long! What brings you joy?
American Kennel Club (AKC)
Meet the candidates for the AKC Board of Directors Class of 2030 as they share their plans and priorities for the future of the sport.
