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USDA Extends

Comment Period for

Public Input on

Updating Welfare

Regulations

March 19, 2026

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) announced that it is extending the period for comments about potential updates to its dog welfare regulations. The original comment period was to end today, Thursday, March 19th. The comment period will now end on Thursday, April 20, 2026. APHIS is seeking comments from the public on appropriate standards for (1) the care of breeding female dogs at dog breeding facilities and (2) exercise and socialization of dogs subject to the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). For more information…

DA APHIS Seeks

Comments on Breeding

Female Care,

Exercise, and

Socialization

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) announced that it is seeking comments from the public regarding appropriate standards for: • The care of breeding female dogs at dog breeding facilities and, • Exercise and socialization of dogs subject to the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). For more information…

Next Week is Showtime!

The entries are closed and we’re now gearing up to present our 2026 Conformation Shows. On March 27th through the 29th, 2026, Warren County Kennel Club will hold our annual conformation shows at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio. We will run eight conformation rings, along with Farm Dog and Fetch events as well. Moreover, on Friday, we will again host one of the eight National Owner Handler Series (NOHS) Regional events leading up to the NOHS Finals in Orlando Florida. While the 2025 shows were fun, we are now well under weigh to get ready for 2026. We are already holding Show Committee meetings and are discussing next year’s fun at our regular meetings. So, if you have ever thought of getting involved behind the scenes of a conformation show, you are more than welcome and absolutely invited to join us now. For more information, come to our regular meeting where we give our regular updates. To get more information on our shows…[Click Here]

Another Drum Roll Please…

Once again, WCKC will be honored to present the AKC’s National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Regional Event. This is a very prestigious honor for those clubs hosting these shows in preparation for the series finals in Orlando, FL in 2026. In March of 2026, Warren County Kennel Club will present the NOHS show on Friday before our regular conformation shows. Frankly, we couldn’t be more pleased and proud to be the only AKC club to be honored to hold this event twice. So, if you’re curious about the national NOHS event, we hope you will come and join us in March as various owner-handlers make WCKC a part of their journey to Orlando. If you’re curious as to what the NOHS is all about, [Click Here] for more information.

Dog-OH-Rama Returns in 2026

Over Friday through Monday of Labor Day weekend, WCKC in conjunction with the GSDCGC will once again present Dog-OH-Rama and we’re just beginning the planning now. This event involves a number of performance trials made for the novice to experienced handler. The events planned for this year include: • Fast Cat • Dock Diving • Temperament Testing • Farm Dog • Fetch • Canine Good Citizen Testing • Trick Dog This year, in the tradition of the Olympics, we will add another event. For our conformation pals in the canine community, we will hold an AKC sanctioned B-Match. This is the one event restricted to registered purebred dogs. But, if you have one, you’re more than welcome to enter. There will be food, fun, and frivolity for all, so keep watching our website to get all the glorious details on this most fun and fulfilling event for both you and your dog…which doesn’t have to be a purebred, by-the-way…!

Calling All Dog Lovers

The past few years have been tough on WCKC and the dog sport in general. While performance events such as Agility, Fast CAT, and Rally Obedience are holding their own or growing, Conformation numbers are dropping considerably. This includes the interest in joining dog clubs, leading some clubs to simply close their doors. To attempt to reverse the trend, WCKC is always looking for new members to hopefully bring new life into our club. And we’re not just talking Conformation only. We’re open to all venues and are licensed by AKC for Conformation, Obedience, Rally-Obedience, and Fast CAT. So, if you’re into any of those venues…or even if you just like dogs and want to come hang out with a bunch of crazy dog people, come join us and see what we’re all about. The meeting time and location for our next meeting is posted on the Events page and we sure would like to see you there.

News The recent buzz on what we’re up to…