Special Board Meeting
November, 2026From the President
We made several exciting decisions at the Special Board meeting on November 5, 2026. Thanks to all of you who responded to our survey, provided comments on key issues, and joined last night’s meeting. Your input was great and I hope means we’re headed a direction you support! Apologies to anyone who tried to join the meeting and found that the original link didn’t work; we’ll fix that. You’ll be hearing more in upcoming weeks, but I’d like to highlight some of the biggest news.- NATIONAL SPECIALTY: We’ll be holding our first National Specialty in Arlington, Nebraska on May 20, 2027! The exciting array of events being planned will provide an amazing opportunity to celebrate Lancashire Heelers’ many talents and to form new friendships. Patrick Helton (patrick.helton@sbcglobal.net) will serve as our Show Chair and welcomes volunteers for the multitude of tasks required to plan and execute this event.
- JUDGES SELECTION: You will be asked to choose the judges for the National Specialty. Expect to receive information soon from Jean Turoci, Chair of the Judges Selection Committee, on how to nominate judges for both the Specialty and the Sweepstakes.
- SUPPORTED ENTRY: We will hold a Supported Entry in Greenfield, Massachusetts on August 7 and 8, 2027, complete with a fun social gather on the afternoon and evening of the 7th.
- BREEDER RECOGNITION PROGRAM: We are instituting a program to recognize breeder excellence! Breeders will have an opportunity to apply for the designation of USLHC Breed of Care, based on their breeding and early development practices, and USLHC Breeder of Distinction, based on the demonstrated achievements of the puppies they have bred. In a rare breed, with a limited genetic pool, this recognition is a positive acknowledgement of the care our breeders invest — and a useful guide for future puppy buyers regarding desirable practices. Application forms will be on the website.
- USLHC AWARDS: And, don’t forget about our Club’s two special programs of recognition for our dogs: Fit for Function and Versatility—and their lovely awards! Applications are on the website.
- NEW MEMBERS: Five people have joined the Club in the last two months. Welcome all!
- Heidi Benson
- Stephanie De Mello,
- Charlotte Gunby
- Theresa Maltz
- Janice Morris
- MEET THE BREEDS: Our Public Education Committee is gearing up for Meet the Breeds in NYC on January 23-24, 2027. Please let Kim McIntyre, Committee Chair, know if you’re able to help with this fun event! (kmcintyre25@comcast.net)
- 2027 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: Membership Chair, Lindsey Dobruck, plans to send out information on membership renewal shortly. Watch your mail!
- RECOMMENDED HEALTH TESTS: We have updated our Club’s health testing recommendations. Links to detailed information will be available on our website soon.
- OFA AND CHIC: To help us understand and track the health of our breed, we ask that you send any health test results to the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) for inclusion in that organization’s database. You can send any test’s results, not just the ones on the Club’s recommended list—so if you are aware of a condition that we should be monitoring, I encourage you to report the results you have to OFA. Admittedly, there is a fee required to submit the data; the benefit is our collective ability to understand and address our breed’s health issues. If you submit results for all the tests recommended by the Club, you will receive what is called a CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) number from that organization. More information will be available on our website.