BARKER BLOG

2023 Holiday Party

Moore County Kennel Club held its Annual Holiday Party Wednesday, December 6 at Valenti’s Italian Restaurant in Vass. The only thing better than the food was the company. Members, Applicants and Guests and Friends considering joining Moore County Kennel Club were present, as well as the very special friends of our Club from the Pet Responsibility Committee.

The party began with the very capable Betty Chapman and Beth Verner handing out Name Tags to partygoers. People of all ages, including a couple of lovely Junior-aged kids, came in and sat one of six tables Valenti’s had decorated with the holiday theme. The club added to the festive decor with bags of dog cookies ready to take home, as well as festive candies sprinkled throughout. Valenti’s Christmas Tree was lit and decorated beautifully. And our Club’s Banner was displayed with pride.

Attendees were welcomed by Corresponding & Recording Secretary Ellen Pfann with: “It’s so nice to be in a room with other people who relate every single major life event by which dog they owned.

And then, President Jane Hammett Bright introduced all of the guests attending.

That was followed by a toast – we all had some very nice sparkling wine!

Buffet Dinner was served. Everyone thought it delicious!

While dessert was being served, we played a rousing game of “DOG SPORT JEOPARDY,” which featured the categories of BREEDS, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, LET’S EAT (foods dogs can and cannot eat), JUMP (Agility), SIT MEANS SIT (Obedience / Rally), and CLUB HISTORY. Correct answers were rewarded with candy being thrown at them. It was a fun and educational experience for all!

The event was truly a fantastic opportunity to build on existing friendships and make new. And if it is any indication of the things in store for this club in 2024, then we will have a fun-filled year ahead.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, FRIENDS

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Currently 63 Members.

3 Applications have been approved by the BOD and
were read to General Membership:

Angel Rosa / Billiejo Anderson-Rosa, Ann Marie Saunier, Annette
Giraud.

The Membership is scheduled to vote on their applications at the January Meeting.

AKC® National Championship Entries are Open

It’s that wonderful time of year once again! Entries are now open for the 23rd annual AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin taking place December 16th and 17th at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). Entries are also open for our AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes that will be held on Friday December 15th at OCCC.

The AKC National Championship is one of the world’s premiere dog events. It is the largest dog show in the United States and the only conformation dog show hosted by the American Kennel Club that culminates in crowing America’s Champion.

There are several other spectacular events featuring AKC sports held in conjunction with the National Championship; The AKC® Agility Invitational presented by YuMOVE, the AKC® Obedience Classic, the AKC Fast CAT® Invitational, Junior handler competitions in Conformation, Agility, Obedience, and Rally, and special attraction diving dogs. Earlier in the week at the OCCC, spectators can see top dogs compete at the Space Coast Kennel Club of Palm Bay, Brevard Kennel Club, and Central Florida Kennel Club dog shows.

AKC Fetch Program

Welcome to AKC Fetch! When dog owners are asked about activities they like to do with their dogs, the most common responses are to take their dog for a walk, and to play ball (fetch) with the dog.

AKC Fetch titles were created as another activity in which owners could have fun with their dogs in the AKC Family Dog program. Earning AKC Fetch titles provides opportunities for both physical and mental exercise. While some dogs are natural retrievers, AKC Fetch, especially at the advanced levels, will involve teaching new skills such as retrieving.

AKC Fetch is designed for all breeds.

AKC Fetch is a pass-fail noncompetitive test. The four levels of titles (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Retriever) assess the ability of the dog to retrieve. In the Advanced and Retriever levels, the dog must respond correctly to signals. There is also a memory component in Advanced and Retriever because a retrieving bumper or ball is dropped (or thrown) behind a blind where it cannot be seen.

For each of the four titles, the dog must pass the test twice under two different approved AKC Fetch judges.

Dogs who are at least 6 months of age are eligible to take the AKC Fetch test as long as they are registered or enrolled with AKC and have an AKC, PAL or AKC Canine Partners number.

CLICK HERE FOR KEY DATES FOR STARTING AKC FETCH

Why Participate in AKC Fetch?

AKC Fetch provides a form of exercise for dogs and their owners. Dogs learn new skills and many handlers will learn to teach a skill (i.e., retrieving) they have not previously taught.

AKC Fetch titles are fun to earn, and they can be used as a required AKC title for earning the Gold level of AKC FIT DOG. For info on AKC FIT DOG, see: 

https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-family-dog-program/akc-fit-dog/