BARKER BLOG

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/

SLATE OF NOMINEES

Thank you to all that served the Board of Directors over the past year. Following is the official Slate of Nominees for 2024:
PRESIDENT

Jane Hammett Bright

VICE PRESIDENT

Carol Dowd

TREASURER

Melissa Dewitt

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

Ellen Mantel Pfann

RECORDING SECRETARY

Jefferie Cade

MEMBERSHIP

Marjorie Riddle Watson

DIRECTORS

Naomi Johnson

Brenda Lewis

Kathy Pellerino

Ursula Walsh

Additional nominations may be made at the November meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person so nominated does not decline when his or her name is proposed. If the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, the proposer shall present the Board with a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his or her willingness to be a candidate. No person shall be a candidate for more than one office and the additional nominations which are provided for herein may be made only from among those members who have not accepted a nomination of the nominating committee.

Nominations cannot be made at the Annual Meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this Section.

2024 DOG SHOWS

The Board voted to move forward in joining Myrtle Beach Kennel Club to form a 4-Day Cluster All-Breed Dog Show.

DATES:

Thursday & Friday, April 25-26, 2024.

(Myrtle Beach Kennel Club will run the show on Saturday & Sunday, April 27-28, 2024)

Set Up Day is Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

LOCATION:

Southeastern Agricultural Center, Lumberton, NC

Check it out by clicking here.

WHY:

Indoor Location – Climate Controlled. We don’t have to be concerned with weather or the conditions of the footing.

Costs – it costs the club approximately $18-20,000 to rent and prepare the Polo Grounds in Pinehurst for the two-day show. The cost to rent the SEAC is $1,100 per day. There will be other minimal costs that we will be able to pass along to exhibitors.

Facility – SEAC is fairly turn-key. It has staff to take care of so much of the “heavy lifting” that we traditionally perform in Pinehurst. The facility also plenty of RV spaces, as well as stalls suitable to rent to exhibitors as grooming locations.

Popularity – 4 Day Shows are much more popular and better attended.

Volunteerism – The Club will still require volunteers, but not for ALL of the week prior. We’re estimating currently we will need less than 10 per day.

OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE:

The club will be exploring the possibility of additionally activities on site during the dog shows, including CGC Testing, and Dock Diving. STAY TUNED.

Anyone with questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Jane Hammett Bright, Carol Dowd or Ellen Pfann. We will be updating you as we get closer.

FUN EVENTS

Halloween CAT

at Shadow Hill Farms, October 27-29, 2023.
Sponsored by Greater Charlotte Shetland Sheepdog Club

FIT Walks with Moore County Kennel Club Members

CGC Testing by Appointment Only

Halloween Costume Contest

CLICK HERE FOR PREMIUM LIST

For More Information, Contact Jane

Obedience Fun Day

Our Club has been invited as guests to Susan Novotny’s Training Facility in Aberdeen.

Thanksgiving Weekend – Saturday, November 25, 2023

Come with or without your dogs.

Potluck – left over Thanksgiving Food.

Must RSVP – For More Information Contact Ellen

MCKC’s First FAST CAT

February 9-11, 2024
Set up on February 8th

More Information to be available by November Meeting
.