SPRING 2026 VOLUME L NUMBER IThe Newsletter Turns 50! Performance Events Feature
ManusGCHS Millenia Cause I Know I’m Nice CGC2025 NOHS #1Wirehaired DachshundRecord to date 3 BIS OH 4 RBIS OH 3 Reg Group 1 3 Reg Group 2 Multiple OH Group 1Bred by: Kurt & Diane Miller Millenia Dachshunds Owned by: John and Maureen Shankweiler and K & D Miller He is also a therapy dog.Photo: Haley DagenPhoto & Ad Design: Fisher
Volume 50, Issue 1 Copyright 2026 The DCA Newsletter TeamPublisher: Bonnie Hill, Think Big Marketing, LLCDCA Newsletter Committee: Debby Krieg, Chair, Debbie Melgreen, Emi Pedraza, Janet SchwalbeThe DCA Newsletter is published by the Dachshund Club of America, for its membership. Direct correspondence and written requests for permission to reprint articles to the Publisher. The DCA Newsletter Contact Information:[email protected] change your mailing address or request The DCA Newsletter First Class mailing, contact [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Linda Alkema, Bev Barringer-Ruggeri, John Brading, Georjan Bridger, Ava Hata, Carl Holder, Debby Krieg, Sharon McDonald, Debbie Melgreen, Stephany Montleone, Maggie Peat, Emi Pedraza, Lexa Richmond, Brenda Riemer, Anne Rosenberg, Cheryl Shultz, Denny Van HookPRINTER/MAILING: Sutherland Companies, Montezuma, IowaThe Dachshund Club of America Inc., The Dachshund Club of America Board of Directors, and the Editor of the Dachshund Club of America Newsletter (magazine) are not responsible for the content of any advertisement, solicited or unsolicited editorials, letters or articles that may appear in the newsletter. The content of any advertisement, editorial, letter or article that appears in the Dachshund Club of America Newsletter is the sole responsibility of its advertiser or author.No DCA publication, or any part therein, may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, either in magazines, media, or for advertising purposes, etc., without prior written permission from the Dachshund Club of America.Please contact Kenneth Levison regarding the DCA Illustrated Standard.Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.On the Front Cover: GCH DC Stardust Umakemi Dreams Sl RN OAP OJP NFP DCAT SWA CGCA CGCU TKN ATT FITB \"Tru\"Owners: Nancy Yeoman and Mary KendallBreeders: Bernadette Wagner and Anne SchmidtPresident's Letter Cheryl SchultzGreetings,Welcome to the latest edition of the DCA Newsletter, published by our new editor, Bonnie Hill. I’m very enthusiastic about the new format and features, and I hope you will be as well. You will notice this is a more robust edition, and I want to thank everyone who contributed articles and placed ads for your enjoyment. Advertising is vital to the success of the Newsletter and benefits our club and its members in several important ways. First, it provides financial support that enables us to continue publishing a high-quality Newsletter, which our members value. Second, it provides members with an opportunity to showcase their dogs and their accomplishments. The Newsletter also serves as an important part of the historical record of our breed. Just as we enjoy looking at past issues of the Newsletter and The American Dachshund to read about dogs and breeders of the past, future enthusiasts will appreciate reading about the dogs and breeders making history today. We have restructured our advertising program and rates to make participation even easier, and I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Enjoy this edition, and if you want your dog featured in a future issue, contact our editor to submit materials or reserve ad space. Happy reading! DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 6
OFFICERSPresidentCheryl ShultzCorona, [email protected] Vice PresidentWalter ‘Wally’ JonesEnglewood, [email protected] Vice PresidentDeneice Van Hook, DVMVan Dyne, [email protected] SecretaryDebby KriegRaymond, [email protected] SecretaryCarl HolderLumberton, [email protected] LevisonTucson, [email protected] DelegateJohn BradingPittsboro, [email protected] OF DIRECTORSClass of 2026Beverly Barringer-RuggeriHigh Ridge, [email protected] MelgreenYates City, [email protected] NilesDelaware, [email protected] WadeSteptoe, [email protected] of 2027Georjan BridgerSalem, [email protected] Burke, DVMScottsdale, [email protected] Licht Lawrenceburg, KY [email protected] SnyderGarden Grove, [email protected] of 2028Sandy ArnoldBloomington, [email protected] JonesSpringfield, [email protected] MartinCharles Town, [email protected] SnyderEugene, [email protected] ADVISORY COMMITTEEDebby Krieg, Chair Debbie Melgreen Emi Pedraza Janet SchwalbeDachshund Club of America, Inc.Board of DirectorsDACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 7
Editor's noteHello DCA members and friends of the breed. I’m Bonnie Hill, and with Think Big Marketing, LLC, I’m honored to produce the 50th Anniversary Edition of the DCA Newsletter.This milestone edition is as exciting as it is meaningful. The advertising support pouring in from members is a testament to how deeply you’re invested in your club and in the dachshund community. That support helps tell the stories that matter, the bonds formed, the triumphs celebrated, and the quiet moments that shape the club's history.Looking through the pages in this issue, it’s clear that the DCA has deep roots and a living, breathing history. The content submitted, from member to member, across generations of breeders, judges, fanciers, and volunteers, speaks to a club that isn’t just about a breed, but about community. It is an honor to design and present the DCA Newsletter to the membership with both reverence and energy.As the DCA Newsletter marks 50 years, we’ll look back and lay groundwork for the next fifty: memories, milestones, and people who kept the conversation alive. Beyond nostalgia, we’ll imagine a future that educates, celebrates, and advocates for dachshund health and happiness.To the readers and contributors: your stories, photos, milestones, and lessons are the lifeblood of this anniversary. Please share memories, profiles, health insights, and dachshund tales. Submit them to the DCA Newsletter at [email protected] to help build a commemorative collection that honors the past and invites continued participation.I look forward to producing follow up issues of the DCA Newsletter. Here’s to the dachshunds we love, the people who love them, and the enduring community that binds us together. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in this collaboration, and for the opportunity to help tell your story…one page at a time.Bonnie HillAckby, HBaldwin, SBurke, DCarlson, JDel Castillo, SEltringham, RFry, JHeymann, MJohannes, MJohnson, CJones, KJones, SKrieg, DLockyer, KMegli, LMiller, DNiles, CPedraza, EPeterson, A&MProuty, NPuig, CSchubert, CSennett, DSingleton, MSiniscalco, ATarbox, DTaylor, CTressler, DTressler, DTutt, GTyler, LWinning, D273832713048-53817275593310-111292457, 9142-431357-5834-357478-7928-2968-6962-6336-3764-65, 90-91 7314-1531AdvertisersThank you for advertising and supporting the Newsletter.DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 8
Featured articles161618 22394454667053828588949698102Do the Dew (claws)? | Dan Burke, DVM, DCA Health Committee ChairMonoclonal antibodies show promise as new therapy for veterinary patients | Dan Burke, DVM, DCA Health Committee ChairProstate Cancer in Dogs | Dan Burke, DVM, DCA Health Committee ChairMeet the 2026 DCA Board of Directors | Debbie MelgreenFrom Ink to Influence: A Passion in Print - Lexa RichmondState of the Breed - Debby KriegBreeding Quality Show Dogs - Lexa RichmondJudging Abroad - by Maggie PeatThe Most Important Judge at the Show - John BradingJuniors Corner: Why It’s Not Always Cool to Be an Expert | Ava HataPerformance Register of Merit | Deneice Van Hook, DVACriteria is Crucial, Agility Start Lines - Sharon McDonald2025 AKC National Tracking Invitational - Linda AlkemaObedience is a Dachshunds World - Brenda A. RiemerThe Road To OTCH - Stephany MontleoneSetting goals - Anne RosenbergGet Ready for DCA 2026 | Bev Barringer-RuggeriRegular Departments & morePresident's Letter - Cheryl SchultzDCA Officers, Board of Directors & Newsletter CommitteeEditors NoteMembership Matters - Georjan BridgerAKC Delegate’s Report - John BradingKennel Cards Performance BragsThe DCA Newsletter Policies7782033479010660 DCA NOHS Spotlight: Kathy Lockyer - by Emi Pedraza84 Criteria is Crucial, Agility Start Lines - by Sharon McDonaldDACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 9
I am a vet that works exclusively with performance dogs, developing rehabilitation programs for injured dogs or dogs that have had surgery as a result of performance-related injuries. I have seen many dogs now, especially field trial/hunt test and agility dogs, that have had chronic carpal arthritis, frequently so severe that they have to be retired or at least carefully managed for the rest of their careers. Of the over 30 dogs I have seen with carpal arthritis, only one has had dewclaws. The others have all had them removed.If you look at an anatomy book (Miller’s Guide to the Anatomy of Dogs is an excellent one – see figure below) you will see that there are 5 tendons attached to the dewclaw. Of course, at the other end of a tendon is a muscle, and that means that if you cut off the dew claws, there are 5 muscle bundles that will become atrophied from disuse.Those muscles indicate that the dewclaws have a function. That function is to prevent torque on the leg. Each time the foot lands on the ground, particularly when the dog is cantering or galloping, the dewclaw is in touch with the ground. If the dog then needs to turn, the dewclaw digs into the ground to support the lower leg and prevent torque. If the dog doesn’t have a dewclaw, the leg twists. A lifetime of that and the result can be carpal arthritis. Remember: the dog is doing the activity regardless, and the pressures on the leg have to go somewhere. They can be absorbed by the dewclaw, or they will move up and down the leg to the toes, carpus, elbow, and shoulders.Perhaps you are thinking, “I never have had one of my dogs have carpal pain or arthritis.” Well, we need to remember that dogs, by their very nature, do not tell us about mild to moderate pain. If a dog was to be asked by an emergency room nurse to give the level of his pain on a scale from 0 o 10, with 10 being the worst, their scale would be 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Most of our dogs, especially if they deal with pain that is of gradual onset, just deal with it and don’t complain unless it is excruciating. But when I palpate the carpal joints of older dogs without dewclaws, I almost always elicit pain with relatively minimal manipulation.As to the possibility of injuries to dew claws. Most veterinarians will say that such injuries actually are not very common at all. And if they do occur, then they are dealt with like any other injury. In my opinion, it is far better to deal with an injury than to cut the dew claws off of all dogs “just in case.”Health Welfare M. Christine Zink DVM, PhD, DACVSMRDo the Dew (claws)?~ from Miller’s Guide to the Dissection of the DogAnatomical diagram viewing the medial side of a dog’s left front leg demonstrating the five tendons that attach to the dewclaw.DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 16
HEALTH & WELFAREBy Julie A. JacobIn 1986, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first monoclonal antibody for human medical therapy. Today more than 100 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) designed to bind to specific target proteins are available for humans, including those intended to treat cancer and autoimmune disorders.The power of mAbs is now being unleashed for debilitating diseases in dogs and cats. mAbs for veterinary patients may be regulated as an animal biologic or new animal drug depending on their mechanism of action.Cookie, an 8-week-old pit bull–type mix breed, was one of the first dogs to receive Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody. Cookie was brought to the Fix Project, a veterinary clinic in Long Beach, California, where she was quickly diagnosed with parvovirus. Four days later, Cookie was back home with her owners. (Courtesy of Elanco)Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 1; 10.2460/javma.262.1.17Specifically, the drug’s therapeutic target determines which regulatory agency reviews and approves it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approves mAbs that target the immune system, while the FDA approves mAbs that have other targets.The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) and FDA have a joint committee that coordinates regulatory responsibility.In 2016, the USDA APHIS CVB granted a license to Zoetis for its monoclonal antibody to treat allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis in dogs, Cytopoint. In May 2023, the USDA APHIS CVB also granted a conditional license to Elanco for its Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA).In January 2022, the FDA granted its first approval for a mAb for animals: Zoetis’s Solensia, to control pain associated with osteoarthritis in cats. More recently, in May, the FDA approved Zoetis’s Librela, an mAb to control osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs, which will be commercially available this fall.These mAbs are just the beginning, notes Robert Polzer, PhD, executive vice president and president of research and development at Zoetis. Allergies, dermatological conditions, renal diseases, cardiac diseases, and cancer are five key disease categories for research into new mAb therapies, he says.“We have 50 biological targets for which we are generating monoclonal antibodies,” Dr. Polzer says. “We anticipate more drugs will be rolling out in these areas.”CATCHING UP TO HUMAN mAb ADVANCESThe 30-year gap between the development of mAbs for humans and those for animals is partly because while some human medications can be easily adopted to use in animals, mAb therapy is species specific.“We have to do a lot of research to understand what a dog antibody looks like, what a cat antibody looks like,” says Dr. Polzer. “It took several years for that science and technology to mature.”Monoclonal antibodies show promise as new therapy for veterinary patientsSo far, these drugs have been approved to treat atopic dermatitis, pain associated with osteoarthritisDACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 17
But now that they are here, the approved mAb therapies are having a significant impact on veterinary care, says Dr. Ken Pawlowski, clinical director of Insight Veterinary Wellness Center in El Dorado, California. He often prescribes Cytopoint to treat seasonal and environmental allergies in dogs.Cytopoint works by binding to and neutralizing the cytokine interleukin 31, which is a cytokine involved in causing itchiness, and thus inhibits pruritus and reduces skin lesions. Like other naturally occurring antibodies and antibody-antigen complexes, elimination is via normal protein degradation pathways. Dr. Pawlowski said the mAb has provided significant relief to dogs he sees in his practice that are suffering from allergies.Recently, he began prescribing Solensia for cats with osteoarthritis, which is given as a monthly subcutaneous injection. It is an especially welcome therapy for treating osteoarthritis in cats, he notes, because, until now, few treatments were available for cats with osteoarthritis. NSAIDS such as meloxicam can cause kidney damage, making them unsuitable for longterm use, and oral medications are difficult to administer to cats.Solensia, however, as with Librela, works in a different way than NSAIDS. It blocks nerve growth factor, a neuropeptide that blocks pain signals and reduces inflammation.In a randomized, double-blind clinical study, owners of cats treated with Solensia reported a significant improvement in their cats’ activity levels compared with cats given a placebo. Reported side effects were mild with dermatitis, alopecia, and diarrhea as the most common ones.Dr. Jennifer Devine, a small animal veterinarian at Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma, gives Solensia to a feline patient. (Courtesy of Zoetis)Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 1; 10.2460/javma.262.1.17Used with permission: https://avmajournals.avma.org/HEALTH & WELFAREProstate Cancer in DogsGuide to Understanding Canine Prostate CancerCAN DOGS GET PROSTATE CANCER?We generally hear human beings developing prostate cancer. But dogs can also develop prostate issues, including prostatic carcinoma. In fact, prostate cancer in dogs is much more insidious compared to human beings. It accounts for 0.67% of all reported malignancies in dogs. Prostate cancer has a very high metastatic potential and can spread to organs like the lungs, bones, and lymph nodes.DO DOGS HAVE PROSTATES?Yes, male dogs have prostates, and male dogs can develop prostate problems.But before we delve into this cancer deeply, it is important for us to understand how the prostate gland functions in male dogs. A dog’s prostate gland looks like a walnut and is located behind the urinary bladder and directly below the rectum. Also called an accessory sex organ, its size is usually determined by the male hormone testosterone and various other disease conditions. Semen constitutes 25-30% of the fluid secreted by the prostate gland. It also provides nourishment to the sperm cells and helps in breeding.Canine prostate cancer is more common in intact males. The effects of the hormone testosterone on DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 18
the gland over time trigger the disease. Very often it leads to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) in older male dogs. Dogs over 8 years are prone to develop prostate cancer.HOW DO DOGS GET PROSTATE CANCER?What causes prostate cancer in dogs is largely a mystery, although some research suggests genetics play a key role. Some breeds seem to be more susceptible to prostate cancer, including Doberman pinscher, Shetland sheepdog, Scottish terrier, beagle, miniature poodles, Airedale terrier, German shorthair pointers, and Norwegian elkhounds, according to VCA Hospitals.Prostate cancer in neutered dogs is less common, as is prostatitis.SYMPTOMS OF PROSTATE CANCER IN DOGSThe clinical signs of prostate cancer in male dogs may include general pain, debilitation, and weight loss. Due to the enlargement of the prostate gland, it may push itself up against the wall of the urethra. This exerts pressure on the penis leading to stranguria (difficulty with urination) and hematuria (blood in the urine).Other male dog prostate problem symptoms include lameness in the hind leg, humped back, weird posture while urinating, urge to urinate more frequently but not producing sufficient urine, and taking shorter steps while walking.DIAGNOSING PROSTATE CANCER IN DOGSIt is not very easy to detect canine prostate disease because these symptoms are also present in dogs with other kinds of kidney and urinary bladder infections, as well as prostatitis, a rare bacterial infection that causes inflammation (treated with antibiotics). A prostatic carcinoma malignancy can go undiagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. A canine enlarged prostate can be detected through tests like urinalysis, contrast X-rays, ultrasound scans, abdominal and rectal palpations, and biopsy.Ultrasound determines whether the dog’s prostate is actually swollen or it has polyps, cysts or tumors that are causing problems. However, it does not tell us whether the tumor is cancerous. So, in order to find out whether this is a malignant tumor or not, veterinarians go for a biopsy of the rectal wall. If it is found to be a case of malignancy, the examination also tells the veterinarian what kind of cancer this is.TREATMENTS FOR CANINE PROSTATE CANCERNormally, prostate cancer in dogs is non-amenable to surgery because of its location. So, the other options available include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But if the cancer is hormone-responsive, it can be treated with castration. Unfortunately, prostate cancers are not hormone-responsive. So they do not respond to anti-androgen medicines (hormone receptor compounds that inhibit the growth of male sex hormones).LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR DOGS WITH PROSTATE CANCERThe hardest question to answer is how long do dogs live with prostate cancer and, when is the appropriate time to euthanize the dog?The prognosis for a dog with prostate cancer is guarded. The average survival rate is 6 weeks to 1 year.https://wearethecure.org/learn-more-about-canine-cancer/canine-cancer-library/prostate-cancer/HEALTH & WELFAREDACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 19
Since taking over being the Membership Chair in 2015, it’s been quite an adventure. Between collecting Membership Dues, New Membership Applications, and answering questions regarding Membership, it’s kept me very busy to say the least! What I enjoy the most about being Membership Chair is getting acquainted with the new members and established members alike. It is very rewarding when a member emails or calls me and tells me how much they appreciate my help and being a part of DCA. I want to talk about how important the members are to DCA, and how much we appreciate YOU. We have members who pay their dues and enjoy getting the newsletter and voting privileges and are proud to be members. We have members who work very hard on the different committees, support DCA with trophy and hospitality donations, encourage new members, and volunteer at DCA events. We have Board members who also work very hard to honor our traditions while keeping an eye on the future to be sure DCA meets the needs of our members. We are a vital and active club!Since Dachshunds have become the most versatile breed because of all the events and titles they can achieve, there are many more committees that work and serve all the various events available to Dachshunds than ever before. For example, we have a very active committee who oversees Junior Membership and encourages young people that they meet at shows with Dachshunds to become members of DCA. DCA is there to encourage Junior members, and for us to learn from them. They are the future of our club and our breed, and they are so important and needed. It has been my dream for the last 2-3 years to have an Associate Membership to offer the folks that don’t yet meet the criteria for Regular Membership. With the Membership Committee’s hard work, the support of the Membership and approval from AKC, Associate Membership is now a reality, effective January 1, 2026. You’ll see more about Associate Membership below. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have questions about Membership. The DCA Website has all the information about the different Memberships available and the requirements. Warm regards,Georjan GEORJAN BRIDGER, DCA MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMembership MattersWELCOME NEW MEMBERSAdrian AgardTerrie BrensingerColinda BringhurstTanya BrossardEvan Carlson (Junior)Sue CassellCat DavisJayna EscamillaRoger Kiefer & Denise Doll-KieferJonelle FrantzPauline HaleVictoria ‘Tori’ LeeAmber LeonardDenise ParkerConnie SchubertCarissa TosiTeri WieckhorstLisa WilloughbySusan YatesKaren ValloKathy ZeckserASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP TYPE APPROVEDWe are pleased to announce that the AKC Board of Directors has approved the addition of an Associate Membership type for DCA. Associate Membership’s purpose is to help prospective members become familiar with the Dachshund breed and the Club, with the goal that they become full voting members of the Club in the future. Associate Members receive a digital version of all DCA publications and communications. Event participation is not required for an Associate Member, however they are welcome at all Club events including our National events. All DCA Regular Members are encouraged to mentor and assist Associate Members on their path to becoming Regular Members.Applicants must own one or more Dachshunds for at least one year that reside in their home at the time of application. Applicants must be citizens and residents of the United States, eighteen (18) years of age and DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 20
older. Dual applicants must reside in the same household. Associate Members are not entitled to vote or hold office and do not count in the determination of a quorum. Associate Members may not be listed as or considered a Member Judge and may not serve on any committee of the Club. Associate Members are not entitled to be listed as a breeder in any of the Club’s printed or digital publications. For more information on Associate Membership, please refer to the Club bylaws on the DCA website. The Club membership application now includes an option for Associate Membership.MEMBERSHIP ROSTER NOW ONLINEThe 2026 Membership Roster has moved from hard copy to the password protected ‘Members Only’ page of the DCA Website. This move will allow us to keep the roster current throughout the year with new members as well as changes requested by our existing members. You can find the 2026 Members Only password in the March edition of the Dachshund Dispatch.TIPS TO STAY IN TOUCH AND UP TO DATE• Please let us know when you have a change to your mailing address, email address, or phone number. Email DCA Membership Chair, Georjan Bridger ([email protected]) with any changes.• If you are a Dual Household, please give us a unique email address for each member of the household. • Subscribe to the monthly Dachshund Dispatch email. The Dispatch provides time sensitive news and information between the semi-annual issues of the Newsletter. If you do not currently receive the Dispatch, please contact DCA Corresponding Secretary, Debby Krieg ([email protected]).• If you are a Facebook user, like and follow the DCA Facebook Page for news and announcements between the monthly Dispatch.WE HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERSAnn BischelJanet BloomJames E. CahillBarbara FriedmanKevin FritzMerilynn HurdJackie NicholasMiki PerryAndrew WarrenPlease contact Georjan Bridger ([email protected]) if you learn of a DCA member who has recently passed away.Laura A. Licht Appointed to the DCA BoardAt the January Board Meeting, the DCA Board appointed Laura A. Licht to fill the first of two years remaining in a Board position previously held by Walter ‘Wally’ Jones. Wally now serves as First Vice President as a result of the 2025 annual election. The 2026 Nominating Committee will nominate a candidate to fill the remaining year of Wally’s former Board term.2026 Nominating Committee AppointedAt the January Board Meeting, the DCA Board appointed members to serve on the 2026 Nominating Committee. Members are encouraged to contact a member of the committee to learn about leadership positions or interest in becoming a candidate.Sandy Arnold, ChairNancy ColsonEric HenningsenCissy JohnsonAnne Schmidt1st Alternate, Heidi Meyers2nd Alternate, Jordin WallisUpcoming Specialties and Event Results Have Moved!The monthly Dachshund Dispatch is now the home for upcoming specialties and event results.Upcoming Specialties: Concurrent or independent specialties that are pended or approved will be shared on a rolling three month basis.Field Trial and Specialty Results: Abbreviated results will be shared on a month by month basis. Upcoming specialties and full event results are available in the AKC Event Search and Results: https://webapps.akc.org/event-search/#/searchDACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 21
PRESIDENT, CHERYL SHULTZMy love of dachshunds started in 1969 with my first miniature smooth. I have owned standard and miniature smooths and longhairs. I have bred standard smooths with my husband and am proud of the conformation, field and dual champions we have produced. I was DCA’s 1991 Top Smooth Owner Handler. I judged the DCA National Smooth Sweepstakes in 2001 and 2007, and the 2017 National Field Trial and Earthdog. I am the current treasurer of the Dachshund Club of Santa Ana Valley. It has been an honor to serve DCA for the past 25 years; Director from 2001 – 2011; Corresponding Secretary from 2012 – 2022; and President since 2023. I have a strong sense of obligation to DCA and am committed to making changes that bring value to DCA members. I am deeply honored to serve as your President and take pride in working to continue the heritage of this special club.FIRST VICE PRESIDENT, WALTER ‘WALLY’ JONESThe first dog club I joined was DCA and while I have been very active in several clubs since I began in dachshunds, DCA has always held my heart. I have served on the Board in various capacities including Secretary, 1st VP and as a director. I am most proud of the three times I have chaired the National Specialty, most recently in 2025. Mary and I have bred dachshunds, mostly Longhairs, under the Walmar prefix since 1978. We have bred Winners dog and bitch at the National 14 times. Our boy, Walmar’s Casanova, has sired three DCA variety winners and is the sire of the top longhair BIS and Westminster Group winner – Burns. It has been a pleasure to serve the dachshund community, and I am thankful for all the dear friends I have made over the years. SECOND VICE PRESIDENT, DENEICE VAN HOOKI am a practicing veterinarian and served 30 years in the Air Force achieving the rank of Colonel and heading Aerospace Medicine and SECDEF Operational Health. I taught obedience for 30 years, currently judge Earth Dog and Field Trials and compete in conformation, obedience, rally, field trials, earth dog, scent work, FASTCAT and agility. I am blessed to have received great dogs from awesome breeders and bred many wonderful dogs as well. Among their accomplishments are four Triple Champions, three Triathlon winners and many Dual Champions. I am a DCA Board member for over 15 years, have chaired the Triathlon, currently Chair of the Companion Events Committee and recently retired as President of the DCA Health and Welfare Trust. I am dedicated to ensuring that dachshunds continue to develop as beautiful, purpose-bred dogs that excel in all venues open to them and serve as the coordinator of the brand-new Performance Register of Merit Program. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, DEBBY KRIEGMany years ago, I went in search of a pet Dachshund for my son, which in turn has become my passion for more than 45 years. Under the ‘Daybreak’ prefix, I have bred multiple Standard Wirehair conformation champions including DCA winners, Specialty BOB winners, All-Breed Best in Show winners and Westminster BOV winners. I am also proud to have bred multiple Top Producers, a DCA Versatility title holder and Obedience title holders thanks to the efforts of dedicated owners.I currently serve DCA as Corresponding Secretary. I also chair the DCA Breeder Education Committee, DCA Top 30 and DCA Pedigree Database Committees, serve as Webmaster of the DCA website, editor of the monthly Dachshund Dispatch and Chair of Newsletter Advisory Group for the DCA Newsletter. I enjoy speaking with members to understand how the DCA Board can help members in their efforts to breed healthy Dachshunds according to the breed standard that can excel in all AKC sanctioned events and as loving pets.Meet the 2026 DCA Board of DirectorsDACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 22
RECORDING SECRETARY, CARL HOLDERMy wife, Candy and I have bred 9 dachshund litters since 1980 and produced 32 AKC Champions and Obedience High in Trial winners. Our Dachshunds are also our pets, and we have shown all the dogs we kept. The ones that we kept lived with us their entire life. I have been a member of DCA since 1980 and a member of the Board since 1993, serving in every position but for Treasurer. Candy and I have also been members of the Houston Dachshund Club and Bayou Dachshund Club since the early 1980s. We have also been members of the Beaumont Kennel Club (all breed) since 1981 and have served as AKC Delegate for 27 years. I became a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians by passing the 100-question acceptance test. I became a member of the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians, served as a Director for two years, Treasurer for four years, and 2nd Vice President for one year. TREASURER, KEN LEVISONWhile I grew up with various breeds from a Beagle to Springer Spaniel to Samoyed, the first Wirehair Dachshund stole my heart and sealed the deal. I served as President of the Dachshund Club of Greater Buffalo for over 18 years, been Treasurer of DCA since 2004 and am the Judges Education Coordinator. I am Treasurer of the Tucson Kennel Club, serve as show chair of our shows in November and am the Club’s AKC Delegate.I began judging in 1998 and am approved to judge the Hound and Non-Sporting Groups. I have had the honor of judging in Canada, Japan and China.I earned my doctorate in Germanic Languages and Literatures, taught German in three universities, then worked 7 years in the Division of the Budget in New York. Following that I served as Vice President for Administration and Finance for the State University of New York College at Geneseo, just south of Rochester, NY, for 26 years.AKC DELEGATE, JOHN BRADINGI began in dogs in Indiana in 1978 with Standard Longs (along with Lon Strauch). We later added Wires and two Smooths. We finished several champions, had two Group winners, another Group placer, and co-bred a BOS to Breed at the National. By 1995, I was AKC approved to judge Dachshunds and later Whippets and Spinone Italiano.In 1999, I accepted a position with AKC as a Conformation expert, resigned from judging, and moved to North Carolina. Three years later, I became a Manager in the Event Operations Department where I managed teams that processed applications and results for Agility, Rally, and Scent work. I retired from AKC in 2017. My time working for AKC and now my time as DCA Delegate have both given me a unique view of AKC. I try to use my past experiences to advocate for DCA’s needs and for members’ interests as the AKC Delegate.Class of 2026BEV BARRINGERRUGGERII have been a proud member of the Dachshund Club of America for more than 30 years and currently serve on the DCA Board of Directors, a role I have held since 2023. I am also an active member of the Dachshund Club of St. Louis (DCSTL) and the Central Ohio Dachshund Club (CODC).I am honored to serve as the 2026 DCA National Show Chair after several rewarding years as the DCA Hospitality Show Chair (2021–2026). I have owned and loved Standard Wirehaired Dachshunds for over 50 years, with limited showing in conformation and a special interest in companion events. The Dachshund community has been a wonderful part of my life for decades, and I am grateful for the friendships and experiences it has brought me. I look forward to continuing to support DCA and helping make the 2026 National a memorable event for everyone.DEBBIE MELGREENI have been involved in dogs my entire life, being a second-generation dog person. My husband, Steve, and I are involved with Standard Smooth Dachshunds and Brittanys under the Melridge prefix. I was a professional handler and a DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 23
member of the Professional Handler’s Association of which I am a Hall of Fame Inductee.I currently am approved to judge the Sporting, Hound, Herding Groups, Doberman Pinschers, Junior Showmanship, Misc. and Best in Show. I have been blessed to judge both of my breeds National Specialties! I am excited to serve on the Board of Directors for DCA and am happy to help wherever needed! I co-chaired the DCA National in 2023 with Carl Holder. I currently serve on the DCA Newsletter Advisory Committee and write the Notable Dachshund Breeder Interviews (which I now call Dachshund Dialogue). CINDY NILESMy love of dachshunds began in 1967, when I acquired my first miniature wirehair. Since then, under the kennel name of Robinwood Dachshunds, I have bred both miniature and standard wires, finishing over 50 champions in conformation, obedience and in the field. Most of the champions were owner handled. I have competed in Conformation, Field Trial, Obedience, Earth Dog and Scent Work.I have been a member of the Central Ohio Dachshund Club since its origin, serving in various Officer and Board positions, and chairing many conformation, obedience, field trials and earthdog events over the past 45 plus years. I was Chairperson for both the 2018 DCA National Field Trials and Earth Dog events. Together with my husband John, we chaired many successful all-breed shows while members of the Delaware Ohio Kennel Club. JOHN WADEI became active in purebred dogs in 1959 and have stayed continuously involved ever since. Early on, I worked for an AKC Licensed All Breed Handler and two terrier breeding kennels, eventually becoming a Handler. I also enjoyed success as a breeder and exhibitor of all three coats of Dachshunds with numerous top winning Smooth Dachshunds either owned or bred by the Wade Family.I further pursued my commitment to the sport and became a multiple-group and Best in Show judge. Employed on two occasions by the American Kennel Club as a member of their Executive Field Staff and Director of Judging Operations I have a deep knowledge of the inner workings of the sport. I encourage open discussion with breeders and exhibitors and remain approachable for any healthy conversation about the breed and for the history of the Dachshund in America to be passed onto future generations.Class of 2027GEORJAN BRIDGERI started judging Field Trials in 1987 and have judged many Dachshund and Basset field trials. Highlights include DCA National Field Trials in 1993 in Pennsylvania, Badger Dachshund Club Field Trial when it hosted the National Field Trials in Wisconsin in 2002, and the Basset Hound Nationals in 2009. I have been a Conformation Judge since 1995. Highlights include judging Wirehair Dachshunds and Junior Showmanship for The Dachshund Club of Atlanta, when the Nationals were held at Callaway Gardens in 2006, Wires and Juniors at the DCA Regional Specialty in St. Louis in 2013, and Wires and Juniors at the DCA National Specialty May 2018 in Columbus OH. I judged Smooths and Longs for the Host shows at Harrisburg PA in 2021. I have served on the Board of Directors for DCA since 2015. I am the Membership Chair, serving on the Judges Education Committee and am an approved mentor. DAN BURKEMy family obtained our first Dachshund sometime in the 1970s. She was a standard smooth who we did show but never received a single point. Regardless, my mother and I found a hobby that we connected with and we never looked back. I decided on a career in Veterinary Medicine and graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. During my college years and during vet school, I still found time to go to dog shows every now and then. After graduation, I moved back to Albuquerque and my mother and I continued to breed and show longhairs under the Birkdells kennel name. I now live in Scottsdale, Arizona and still enjoy working as a small animal Veterinarian. Although I have not been actively breeding recently, I have continued showing Longhairs. I have been a member of DCA for at least 35 years and am currently DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 24
serving a position on the Board of Directors and Chair of the Health Committee.LAURA LICHTAs a breeder under the Petalpusher prefix for 33 years and an owner-handler of smooth (recently long) miniature Dachshunds for 35, I have produced over 60 Champions, including Dual Champions, BISS winners, and ROMX earners. My 28 years of service to the Dachshund community includes work with the Louisville Dachshund Club and the National Miniature Dachshund Club, as well as designing four DCA National logos. Outside of my 44-year career as a floral designer, I am active in showing and breeding the American Miniature Horse and I am the current President of the Kentucky Miniature Horse Breeders Club. I consider it an honor to serve as a DCA Director.SHERRY SNYDERIn 1962, my mom, Beverly and I started showing our standard long, CH Magda Chris of Curly Creek. Mom and I bought BIS BISS CH Elenbusch Jiminy Cricket, MW. We enjoyed watching our kids and traveling, meeting exhibitors and dogs. Our longhair, Maggie was bred to BIS CH Jo-Del’s Nicholas. Their litter earned Maggie a Register of Merit. I have been fortunate to have owned or co-owned a number of great dogs including BISS CH Boondox Chaps, L, BIS, BISS CH Whistlestop’s Lucky Charm, L, BIS, BISS, GCHP Verdon’s The Devil in Disguise, and BIS, RBIS, BISS, GCHP2 Walmar-Solo’s IOU SL. I am grateful to all the breeders of these wonderful dogs, many of whom are icons of the breed as well as friends. I thank everyone who has been there as a mentor for me, guiding me in my breeding program, and remaining a positive factor in my life. I currently enjoy co-owning with Shari Setser and Erin Karst.Class of 2028SANDY ARNOLDI began showing dogs in 1979 and then found dachshunds shortly after. Gifted my first dachshund in 1989 (a MW), I whelped my first litter in 1990 (SL). Since 2005, I have bred 41 champions under the “Jarbsy” prefix, including multiple Dual and Field Champions, 3 Absolute winners, an ROMO, and multiple ROMX titles. I am an AKC Breeder of Merit–Silver, have attended 25 DCA Nationals, and regularly show at Westminster and Royal Canin. I started Field Trials 8 years ago and recently became a licensed Field Trial Judge. I have also competed in Obedience, FastCAT, Earthdog, and Tracking. I am a retired dietitian and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, I worked for the WIC Program for 28 years. I serve as Treasurer, Field Trial Secretary and Show Chair for the Hoosier Dachshund Club, and as a DCA Board Member since 2015, I remain committed to the breed's excellence across all disciplines.KAREN JONESA dachshund entered my life when I was one year old, and I plan that dachshunds will always be part of my life. In 2003 I went to my first dachshund field trial and quickly became entranced with working with my dogs. I have had fun training, competing and earning titles with my dachshunds in Agility, Conformation, Earth Dog, Obedience, Rally, Scent Work and Tricks. I have been a member of the Metropolitan Washington Dachshund Club for 20+ years and an officer for 15+ years. I joined DCA in 2006. I was born in Washington state, grew up in Arizona and have lived in the Washington DC area (Springfield, VA) since 1990. I have been working for PwC in the Tax group for 39 years. I enjoy reading, puzzles, baking, candy-making, playing board games with friends and cruising with my family. I share my home with 2 wonderful standard longhaired dachshunds, Libby & Charlie. MONIKA MARTINI grew up in Virginia where my parents had a kennel of mini and standard smooth Dachshunds and German Shepherds, and I started going to shows with them in the 1950’s. As a teenager I worked one summer in Mary Howell’s kennel and fell in love with her standard Bayard longs. After graduating from college, I got my foundation dogs from Mary and with her mentoring began breeding under the kennel DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 25
name Briardach. Paul and I are very proud of all the accomplishments of Briardach’s longhairs in conformation and performance. I am now retired but I taught mathematics for 42 years, primarily calculus. Paul and I are currently renovating our 10th property, this one is our retirement home in Charles Town, WV. I have been a member of DCA since the early 1980’s and the DCA Show Chair twice. Currently I am the DCA Ways & Means Chair, the Top 10 Merit Awards Chair, a member of the National Specialty Advisory Committee and on the Board of Directors. WENDY SNYDERI have been involved with multiple dog breeds since 1970. I started in Dachshunds in 1999 with my first Standard Longhair Dachshund. I have competed in several venues obedience, rally, conformation, agility, tracking, earthdog, field trial, herding, drafting and even sled dog team.I am an AKC Conformation, Junior Showmanship, Earthdog, Field trial and Fetch judge. I have been a Dog 4-H leader and superintendent. I hope to bring some of my lifetime experiences to the board.Thank You for Your ServiceCONNIE FISHERConnie served as the 2018 Nominating Committee Chair, Chair of the inaugural DCA Scent Work Test, Chair of the PROM committee, and will continue to serve as DCA Triathlon Chair.KATHY LOCKYERKathy served as Recording Secretary since 2023 and served as Public Relations Chair.JANET SCHWALBEJanet served as the Chair of DCA 2024 National Specialty, 2022 Nominating Committee Chair, member of the Newsletter RFP Committee and will continue as a member of Newsletter Advisory Group.MARY NIEMary served as DCA’s liaison for the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank.We express heartfelt gratitude to these individuals as they ended their service on the DCA Board of Directors in 2025. Their leadership and commitment made a positive impact on the membership and our breed. DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 26
AKC Delegate’s ReportSubmitted by John BradingAKC Board Meeting, October 13-14, 2025AKC announces Regional Junior Showmanship Events to begin in 2026. There will be eight regions where events will be held. Entrants must be residents of the region where the event is held. The winner in each of the eight regions will receive $2000 in scholarship funds. More information can be found at: https://www.akc.org/press-releases/american-kennel-club-announces-regional-junior-showmanship-events-begin-2026/At their October meeting, the AKC Board expanded many of the parameters for AKC employee participation in the various sports. The changes will allow more opportunities for employees to continue participation in whichever venue they choose. Many AKC employees came to be employed by the AKC because of their prior experience in the sport and their love for dogs.Revisions and additions were made to the AKC Code of Sportsmanship and Civility. The AKC Code of Sportsmanship and Civility outlines core values for dog sports, emphasizing dog welfare, fair play, honesty, respect for traditions, and positive conduct at events and online, requiring participants to uphold rules, treat others with courtesy, avoid gossip, and promote inclusivity, ensuring integrity for the breed and the sport. AKC Board Meeting, November 10-11AKC Education was reviewed. Many new courses have been added to the AKC Canine College. There are courses for groomers, registration, puppy training, etc. along with many breed-specific courses.Digitization by the AKC Library and Archives continues. Collaboration with member clubs to digitize their archival materials has revealed inconsistencies in file-naming conventions complicating efforts to standardize formats for long-term stability.The Registration Division is working on transforming the registration experience to improve revenue and customer engagement.Several initiatives were discussed related to changing the Rules Applying to Dog Shows. These were referred back to the Delegate Committee for Dog Show Rules.AKC Board Meeting, December 11 – 12, 2025There will be another AKC Board election in March. Three positions will be available. There are three candidates who were nominated by the nominating committee and six additional candidates who were endorsed in writing by petition:The following three candidates were nominated by the nominating committee:• Dominic Palleschi Carota - Pharaoh Hound Club of America• Jason Hoke - Chain O’Lakes Kennel Club• Thomas S. Powers - Kennel Club of Beverly Hills The following six candidates were added to the ballot as a result of petitions signed by the appropriate number of delegates:• Carl C. Ashby III - United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club, Inc.• Karen J. Burgess - Greater Clark County Kennel Club, Inc.• Patricia M. Cruz - Heart of the Plains Kennel Club• Sue Goldberg - Lewiston-Auburn Kennel Club, Inc.• Laurie Maulucci - South Windsor Kennel Club• Lisa Peterson - Norwegian Elkhound Association of America, Inc.DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 33
From Ink to Influence: A Passion in PrintA History of the Dachshund Club of America NewsletterThe history of the Dachshund Club of America is not only told through dogs and pedigrees—it is preserved through its publications. For generations, newsletters and magazines have been the backbone of communication within the dachshund fancy, documenting victories, debates, standards, and the people who shaped the breed. From a humble eight-page bulletin produced by a handful of West Coast enthusiasts to a nationally recognized publication, the DCA newsletter stands as a living archive of the breed’s development in America.In 1939, The Dachshund Club of California was just a handful of Dachshund clubs in the country. This club, being the most prominent dachshund club on the West Coast, was host to famous dachshund fanciers such as Albert Van Court, Gracye Greenburg, Edward Hirschman, and Sidney Twining. These early experts of the dachshund breed not only inhabited incredible knowledge but needed a way to communicate this and the happenings of the club to their members. “The Dachshund” Volume 1, No 1 was published in September 1, 1939. Listed on the first page, Editor Gracye Greenburg describes the publication: “The members of The Dachshund Club of California are presenting this their first issue of THE DACHSHUND with the hope that it may prove of worth to the fancy and fulfill a long felt need. We will endeavor to give you accurate news, facts, data and information that may prove interesting, informative, and instructive. May it serve to advance the status of our breed, The Dachshund. Many of you have given much time and patience to the improvement of our breed, and it is to you that we will look for help in making this babe in swaddling clothes grow into a lusty full-fledged respected representative of our breed. We will at all times hold our pages open for helpful articles by qualified writers and endeavor to keep from between the covers any tinge of personalities. Being but human, we may stumble and make mistakes many times but with your understanding cooperation, we will try to make this little magazine worthy of the best breed of dogs on earthThe Dachshund.” This pamphlet was a short 8 pages, but packed full of short articles written by club members, small advertisers, club information, and contact information for other dachshund clubs in the country- 6 are listed. “The Dachshund” was published monthly under this name for 5 years and became so popular so quickly, that the club was mailing out their newsletter to dachshund fanciers all over the country. The number of pages quickly grew, as did the advertisers. In August 1944, the publication changed its name to the famous and long running publication, The American Dachshund.The American Dachshund is easily the most notorious dachshund publication in America’s history. The first official publication of The American Dachshund was in August 1944. This was still considered the official newsletter of The Dachshund Club of California, and the August 1944 issue is archived as Volume 5, Number 12. Grayce Greenburg, now president of the DCC, is still the editor. A fun historical fact from this particular publication is from an article written by The Dachshund 1939 first issueThe American Dachshund Aug 1944DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 39
SJ Twining called “Champion Breeding” in which he writes, “From 1930, which is about the year in which the Dachshund started his climb in popularity amongst the purebred dogs in America, to the time of writing these notes in the early part of 1944, the American Kennel Club has listed 514 Dachshund Champions of Record in the three coat varieties.” During these transformative years between 1939 and 1944, the number of advertisers grows, from puppies available, litters, stud dogs, pictures of dogs, and activities of other dachshund clubs/shows from around the country. The rest, they say is history. The American Dachshund became a national sensation and quickly turned from The Dachshund Club of California’s local club newsletter into a National Magazine Publication. Fanciers from across the country turned to their mailboxes once a month for their magazine to arrive filled with dachshund news from around the country, upcoming shows, articles, available puppies, stud dogs, and happenings from the Dachshund Club of America. The American Dachshund was published regularly until the end of 1980. The last publication was Volume 41, Number 3 (July-September 1980) issue- the end of an era after 41 years.There were other publications in the late 70s-early 90s including: Dachshund Quarterly, The Dachshund Reporter, The Dachshund Review, and Dachshund Variety but none had the notoriety that The American Dachshundcontained.The Dachshund Club of America saw that it was necessary with the folding of The American Dachshund to have a publication that was similar in nature. In 1976, DCA published their own newsletter with important club information. These first issues were usually around 30 pages and included officer information, minutes of the annual meeting, board meeting minutes, new members, articles, and show results. Interestingly, there were no advertisements of dogs, litters, kennels, nor are there pictures of dachshunds, their wins, etc.… The newsletter editor at this time was Arvilla Simcic (Mayhall) from Mesa, AZ and the President of DCA was Gordon Carvill.The DCA newsletter didn’t stay only informational for long. Within the next year, the publication was opened up to advertisers and the magazine quickly doubled in size. The late 70s, 80s, and 90s were the height of any dog showing, breeding, and advertisingsome considering it the most popular time period of the fancy, so it made sense that the magazine rapidly grew, as well as the popularity of the dachshund. During this time, the newsletter was shaping up to be what the publication we know of today is. In the early 80s, the newsletter was still more of a paper type magazine with staples binding and went to a quarterly publishing format. The editor was still Arvilla Mayhall. In 1986 the newsletter was so well liked that the publications were boasting 100 pages or more. Advertising was also in demand, and DCA published a Stud Register in May 1986 that was well over 100 pages and showcased an impressive line up of dogs.The increased sought-after publication was so intense that this was written by the editor in the December 1986 issue: “Our apologizes for this issue being somewhat late. Obviously, we’ve really grown and we had twice again as much to set up in the same amount of time. Due to this incredible increase, we had to Above: DCA Newsletter Oct 1982 Below: DCA Newsletter June 1986 Above: DCA Newsletter Mar 1987Below: DCA Newsletter Feb 1990 DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 40
go to another form of binding and, of course, this took up even more time.” The binding then went to a plastic spiral blue binding coil and was boasting almost 200 pages. In February 1990, the club published the magazine Dachshund Club of America, Dogs & Bitches and was dedicated to “those quality dachshunds who left their mark on dogs of today and on those yet to come.” This publication was over 170 pages and had over 100 advertisers contribute. This format was so well received that the DCA newsletter got rid of the plastic binding and went to a more comprehensive magazine type format, with a rigid spine and thicker, more durable pages starting with the March 1991 Volume XV No 1 edition, with Arvilla Mayhall still the newsletter editor. Arvilla ended her tenure as the newsletter editor at the end of 1993 and beginning in 1994 Diane Heldebrandt of Sacramento, CA became the newsletter editor.In 2000, Lynne Dahlen became the newsletter editor, and the format became changed to what we have been accustomed to the last two and a half decades. In 2005 color ads became available and the newsletter enjoyed many years of huge success still proudly displaying between 125-175 pages per issue.In the late 90s and early 2000’s, the internet exploded and in 2010–2020-decade social media became ever present in our lives. Social media revolutionized communication by making it instant, global, and visual and the norms in average society. Social media has become an important tool, and this innovation has contributed to the dynamic nature of the platform, allowing users to share personal updates and photos and engage with content from friends, family, and organizations. The side effect of social media is that it has drastically impacted magazines and printing by shifting readership to digital platforms, causing print circulation decline, forcing a focus on digital engagement, and changing content strategy for instant sharing. This inadvertently started to affect the physical newsletter by having less advertising, rising costs, and longer turn around time to get the magazine. The DCA board decided in 2024 to change the format and with editor Lynne Dahlen retiring, the newsletter is changing yet again. The last edition published with editor Lynne Dahlen was Autumn 2025, Volume XLIX, Number 2.As the Dachshund Club of America newsletter enters its next chapter, it does so carrying nearly a century of voices, vision, and devotion to “the best breed of dogs on earth.” From a modest eight-page magazine produced by passionate West Coast fanciers to a nationally respected publication documenting the evolution of the breed, the newsletter has always reflected the people behind it, breeders, exhibitors, historians, and enthusiasts who cared deeply about preserving the dachshund’s past while shaping its future. Each format change, editor, and era has mirrored the times, adapting to new challenges while maintaining the same core purpose: to inform, connect, and celebrate the breed we built together. Though the medium may continue to evolve, the spirit that launched The Dachshund in 1939 endures, proof that history lives not just in archives, but in the shared commitment of a fancy determined to honor its legacy while moving forward.Above: DCA Newsletter Mar 1991Below: DCA Newsletter Dec 1999 DCA Newsletter Autumn 2025DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 41
We took an opportunity to speak with breeder judges and all-breed judges who judged large numbers of Dachshunds during 2025. We wanted to understand their priorities when judging a Dachshund, as well as their impressions of the breed’s current strengths and areas for improvement when compared to the written breed standard. Judges had the option to include their name in their response or remain anonymous. We hope their comments will help breeders and exhibitors evaluate their dogs with the goal to produce and present the best examples of the breed possible.QUESTION 1: Following the breed standard, what are the three key elements you look for in judging the Dachshund?HAL BIERMANN• Long and low• Well balanced• Courageous temperament (Any display of shyness is a fault)JOHN BRADING• Overall balance and breed type when standing or moving.• Proper outline—Particularly a prominent forechest, slightly arched neck, laid back shoulders, correct topline.• Effortless movement—athletic in appearance, decent reach in front, and significant drive in the rear—no paddling, belly scratching, not too wide in front, not too narrow in the rearMICHAEL CANALIZO• Robust• Courageous• FunctionalCELESTE GONZALEZ• General: Long in body, low to ground, short on leg• Front assembly: shoulder blades well laid back, upper arm same length as blade and both angled to form 90 degree angle, forearms slightly curved inward (wrap around front)• Temperament: lively and courageous to the point of rashnessKEN LEVISON• Of course, type and soundness are primary. Can the exhibit perform the functions for which it was bred. So, I look for balance between the front angles and the rear. As an achondroplastic breed, angles will be more extreme than on other dogs, so we want the layback with the angle between the shoulder blade and upper arm to approach 90 degrees and the return of upper arm to place the elbow and front leg under the withers. To be balanced, the rear must reflect these angles and have short hocks which allow for rear drive. • Second, we want a prominent prosternum and a keel that extends well beyond the front legs and a length of ribbing extending beyond halfway down the back leading to a short loin. • Finally, I want to see effortless, smooth movement with good reach of the front legs and good drive from the rear. This will produce movement that is efficient with no extraneous lifting of the front feet and good drive from the rear.DEBBIE MELGREEN• Long, low, well-muscled• Wrap-around front with prominent pro-sternum, long ribbing and keel, short loin.• Fluid movement with the ability to see pads when gaiting away from me with complete rear extension from the side gait.MARY OLICH NIE• One key element I keep in mind when I judge a class of Dachshunds is that the breed was designed as a hunting dog and could it do that job whether going to ground or hunting over vast terrain. This includes a stable, lively temperament.• The hallmark of our breed is the very distinctly constructed forequarters. Without that our breed is not able to efficiently do its job of hunting above and below ground• The third key element I look for is fluid, smooth, ground covering movement to include maintaining its profile with a strong, level topline.DAVE AND PAM PEAT• Breed Type• Physical structure• TemperamentJANET SCHWALBE• Good reach and drive with level topline• Good length of ribs and keel• Good post sternum with well laid back shoulders.Correct Front AngulationState of the BreedDACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 44
ANONYMOUS COMMENTS• Long, low, with robust athletic musculature• Proper front, proportion, temperamentQUESTION 2: Upon judging the Dachshund, whatdo you find to be the strong points in the breed across the country and what areas do you feel need improvement? You may break this up as it pertains to each coat variety and size (standard/miniature). This may include (but not be limited to) structure, temperament, etc.HAL BIERMANNI know my comments are not going to get me brownie points, but I was asked numerous times by numerous people so here goes...These are some of the issues I have been seeing in the breed. Please watch fronts on the dogs, they are supposed to be prominent not flat or cut off midway. Toplines are straight from the withers to the very slightly arched loin, no dips. Shoulders are too far forward, front assemblies with short upper arm and straight fronts. Elbowing out has become a problem. Dogs with short ribbing are incorrect. The breed is supposed to be close to the ground. Dogs are higher in leg and hocks are also getting too long. I am also seeing splayed and flat feet.Temperaments: Dogs shying away, some so shy they are trying to jump off the table. Gait is being affected by some of the aboveJOHN BRADINGIn the 45-plus years I have been in the breed, I feel that Dachshunds have improved overall. Consistent breed type across coats and sizes is far more common than it used to be. Great strides have been accomplished particularly in standard wires and miniature wires and longs. If I must pick apart the issues, I would say that movement is still an issue in many miniatures—short, choppy strides rather than “freedom of movement.” And standard longs still have too many “belly scratchers” with long rear pasterns that, with movement, go too far under the body and do not push off to propel the dog. In smooths, I see quite a few flat feet and some iffy temperaments. In wires, there’s still significant variations in the coat quality. In all coats, it seems to me that we may have over emphasized length of keel, which has been detrimental to the prominence of the forechest required in the standard. We should be working toward a balance between forechest and length of keel.I really do not like faulting our breed. I do think the positives far outweigh the negatives. There was a time, when judging, it was a matter of finding the best in the ring among a group of mediocre dogs. In more recent years, I seldom find that to be the case. There are regularly good choices. And it is a pleasure to judge them.MICHAEL CANALIZOTheir balance of proportions, keen, yet elegant expressions that denote a quest to \"work\"... are generally found...\"I like to see a Dachshund...\"ACT LIKE THE BREED!\" The speed of exhibiting that sometimes overpowers correct foot fall...too much \"flash\". Work needs to be done to \"see\" through a heavily coated Longhair...especially when evaluating rear quarters. Soft coats in Wires. Weights outside of the limits in classes that do not demand weight conformation. More support to rewarding the correct \"wrap around front over those wide bouncy, high-stepping fronts...\"a direct result of deficit(s) of shoulder construction... sometimes a well-made dog will show \"better or worse on a given day...BUT...It will be correct FOREVER! Lastly...Judge the breed as a \"breeder\" regardless of what breed one has bred. Do not reward unsoundness, poor temperament or condition. The Dachshund deserves ‘full understanding of the breed standard’ before taking on the responsibility to judge them.CELESTE GONZALEZStrengths: toplines, vastly improved heads in miniatures, much less toed-in front feet Needs improvement: layback and lay on of blade, return and length of upper arm, unequal inward curving of forearms (mismatched forearms), decreased length of hock (rear pastern)KEN LEVISONI have seen improvement in substance in smooths, structural soundness in wires and in balance and movement in long minis. In general, miniatures have improved greatly over the years in reflecting the standard and in type. Temperament in general is Correct Front PlacementCorrect Rear AngulationDACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 45
good now that we have passed the COVID period.My concerns are mainly structural. We are losing length of ribbing, which is critical to support our length of back. I would like to see it ideally come well beyond halfway toward the hips, leading to a required short, strong loin. Likewise, the keel must extend \"well beyond the front legs\". Thisis a functional requirement and many of our exhibits are lacking in this.Fronts are a problem in so many breeds now days. In Dachshunds it is no different. Layback is generally adequate, but the length of upper arm must bring the elbow beneath the withers to allow good reach in front without lifting. In addition, lately, I have found that toplines have become a problem. The topline is to lie \"in the straightest possible line between the withers and the short, very slightly arched loin.\" One thing that we must become more aware of is the structure of the rear. Admittedly, it is more difficult to breed a good front than to correct a rear. Nonetheless, in all canines, the propulsive force comes from the rear; and this is especially important underground. In order to have a dog to have balanced movement, which is described as \"fluid and smooth\", along with \"the long, free stride in front\" there must be a functional rear, where \"the forward reach of the hind leg equals the rear extension\". There are so many of our exhibits where the rear reaches forward — and sometimes forward and up — but extends only to the perpendicular. This is not efficient and it does not produce balanced movement. Our rear hocks are too long and length of second thigh too short. This does not mechanically allow for rear drive, where the whole pad of the rear feet are visible going away. The standard is clear on this, describing rear movement: \"the rear pads are clearly exposed during rear extension. Rear feet do not reach upward toward the abdomen and there is no appearance of walking on the rear pasterns.\" Many judges call this sickle hocks. When looking at form reflecting function, this fault can greatly limit the function of our breed.DEBBIE MELGREENOverall, coats in Wires have improved across the board. I still see some soft coats but much less prevalent than in the past!I am seeing some improvement in side gait in all varieties and sizes with ability to extend rears. I would still prefer to see shorter hocks, especially in Longs. We need to keep working on getting shorter hocks thus improving the ability to see pads going away and propulsion of rear leg to carry it to full extension. Right now, I am perplexed at what I am seeing frequently in all coats and sizes —on the stack, dogs seem to have prominent pro-sternum, yet the second they take a step, the entire front assembly comes forward, and they lose pro-sternum on the go-round. These dogs are not all short in upper arm ... so why is this happening? Something to watch!We need to be careful not to lose that beautiful wrap-around front! I am seeing a lack of the wrap mainly in standard wires.To handlers (meaning the person showing the dog) ... Set those front legs back UNDER the dog, please!I am seeing an alarming number of bowed hocks … mainly in minis of all coats, although I do see it in standards as well. We really need to address this issue as it is quite serious!Temperaments … courageous to the point of rashness! A shrinking violet is not proper temperament.One final thought ... Condition and train your dogs. The work you put in will repay you tenfold!!Thank you for the opportunity to express what I feel are important points! I love this breed and feel it is great to discuss our strong suits and well as our shortcomings to help improve the breed we all love!MARY OLICH NIEOver the past decade I have seen a major improvement in the athleticism of all 6 varieties.Movement has improved along with more outgoing temperaments.Most of the problems I find are with the construction of the forequarter. Too many lack layback of shoulder blades which many times is accompanied by a barrel rather than an oval rib.Along with upright shoulder an overly long back lends itself to a weakness in the trunk and often a swaying of the topline especially when on the move.Miniature Dachshunds in all 3 coat varieties I feel have improved immensely since I began showing Miniature Longhairs in the 1960's. From what I have seen when judging across the country I think our breed on a whole is in very good shape.Correct Rear ExtensionDACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 46
DAVE AND PAM PEATWhile type and size are generally strong, structure is a big problem. Short upper arms, insufficient shoulder layback, short keels, long loins (alternatively lack of rib carryback), long hocks coupled with poor toplines, incorrect tail sets.JANET SCHWALBEHead pieces in most cases have the required roman nose but I am concerned about the weak underjaw in many that I see. Temperaments have improved greatly! Top lines in all coats are inconsistent. They should be well muscled and level, with a slight rise over the loin. The ribbing should extend well back, and the keel should extend well beyond the front legs. Keel and ribbing are a concern in both standards and minis. I am also concerned about seeing dogs that are set forward with short upper arms. They should have well laid-back shoulder blades and the upper arm being the same length with correct angles. The short upper arm prevents proper reach. It is important to focus on the front assembly but do not forget the rear. The dog must be balanced. We are seeing longer hocks preventing the dog from driving in the rear and standing on their rear properly. Always remember form follows function!ANONYMOUS COMMENTSOverall quality varies but overall, the strong points are the following:• Bone and musculature seems strong in all varieties.• Breed type tends to be best in smooths, and longs.• Soundness is better in standards vs minis.Issues that frequently crop up:• Tendency to toe in and elbow out• High in rear• On the move, failure to fully engage the rear.I always try to focus on ability to do the job. If they do not have proper front end assembly or do not have the proper keel and ribbing they will not be able to survive in the field.Correct Wraparound FrontKennel CardsCHAMPION WIREHAIRED DACHSHUNDSRobert & Janet Schwalbe71 Valley WayPendergrass, GA [email protected]@yahoo.com404.295.4414DACHSHUND CLUB OF AMERICA SPRING 2026 47