No other show in Michigan brings as many special events and demonstrations under one roof! While the exact schedule of special events won't be available until two weeks before the shows, here are some of the demonstrations and events you can expect to see at the 2008 Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows.

Conformation Judging
9 AM to 6PM

Each day, each of the over 150 breeds and varieties is judged individually according to the recognized standard of the breed. A standard is like a “blueprint” of the physical characteristics that makes each breed unique. A judge usually has his or her own interpretation of the standard, which is why the same dogs don’t always win each day. Dogs are judged on how they look and how they move, based on the purpose for which they were bred. This is what is called “conformation” judging, as the dogs are judged on how well they “conform” to the standard. It can help to think of breed judging as a beauty pageant for dogs!

If you would like to look a specific breed or two, the judging times and benching areas will be found in the Judging Program about a week before the show and will be linked here. Judging Program

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Sportmen's Dog Training Club of Detroit Agility Trials
8AM - 6PM

Come watch the fastest growing dog sport in the USA! Agility is designed to demonstrate a dog's willingness to work with its handler in a variety of situations. It is an athletic event that requires conditioning, concentration, training and teamwork. Dog and handlers negotiate an obstacle course racing against the clock. AKC agility is available to every registerable breed. From tiny Yorkshire Terriers to giant Irish Wolfhounds, the dogs run the same course with adjustments in the expected time and jump height. Dogs compete to earn titles at levels of increasing difficulty. If you are interested in watching the agility trials at the Detroit Kennel Club, just follow the cheering!

Leader Dogs for the Blind Techniques & Demonstrations
10AM - 5PM

The Leader Dogs for the Blind, located in Rochester, Michigan, serves the needs and enhances the lives of visually impaired individuals all over the world. Representatives will be on hand to demonstrate training and techniques with dogs currently enrolled in the program. The trainers will also be able to answer any questions you may have concerning volunteering opportunities, fostering puppies, or obtaining a leader dog.

Pet Therapy Program
8AM - 6PM
The Detroit Kennel Club continues its support of Children's Hospital of Michigan Pet Therapy Program.  The program started by Dr. E. Bryce Alpern has brought the comfort and warmth that can only be offered by man’s best friend at bedside to hospitalized children.  To learn more about becoming active in pet therapy visit Ring B.

NEW! Dog Scouts of America
9AM - 4PM
The Dog Scouts of America is a Michigan based organization that has spurred a new trend in vacationing to allow dog and master quality time together earning badges as rewards for experiences and new skills.  Dog Scout troops are popping up across the country and participants are meeting for year round activities, including summer and winter camping and day trips.  Badges can be earned for canoeing, hiking, biking, obedience, water safety, pho’dog’raphy, Frisbee, first-aid, community service, travel safety, household manners and Tricks 101 (just to name a few). To talk to the human half of a Dog Scouting duo visit Ring B.

Michigan Veterinary Specialists
9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Michigan Veterinary Specialists, the Midwest's most advanced specialized veterinary medical and emergency trauma center, will be offering a number of seminars throughout each day. They include:

ANIMALS & ARTHRITIS: HELPING YOUR PETS AGE GRACEFULLY
Sunday: 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
This 30-minute presentation by an expert in orthopedic surgery from Michigan Veterinary Specialists (MVS) will help dog owners learn the mechanics of arthritis, dispel common myths and advise owners of their medical options. Attendees will also learn how providing a blanket, rug, pad or pillow to cushion their four-legged friend during sleep can help an aging pet.

PET FIRST AID AND CPR
10 AM - 3 PM
Protecting your dog’s health begins with an understanding of basic first aid techniques. MVS, the Midwest’s most advanced specialized veterinary medical and 24/7 emergency trauma center, will present Pet First Aid & CPR, a 30-minute primer for pet owners. This informative presentation by veterinarians will equip pet owners with emergency action plans and hands-on techniques from how to clean and bandage a wound to what to do if you dog is choking. Heat stroke, eye injuries, poisoning and even how to stop the bleeding of a nail with common household items will be covered. Veterinarians from MVS will share their expertise in these vitally important sessions and answer questions about what is new in advanced medical treatment for dogs.

Terrier Racing
9:30AM - 3PM

One of the biggest hits of the Detroit Kennel Club shows, Terrier Racing involves a group of various terriers chasing a tennis ball down a 300 foot straight-a-way at amazing speed. The dogs are released from a four compartment starter box; the lure is pulled down the track by a hand cranked lure machine through a small opening in a solid wall. The Motor Cities Fox Terrier Club is organizing this year's event. Come on down and watch 'em run!

Michigan Technical Rescue Operations Team
10AM - 5PM

MTROT canine units show how dogs use their tracking, trailing and air scenting capabilities to perform search and rescue operations. This team is prepared to aid in many types of disasters, including building collapses and water incidents. Several breeds will be used in the demonstrations, including a German Shepherd, Giant Schnauzer, Belgian Malinois, Beauceron, Border Collie and an Australian Shepherd. The demonstrations will be accompanied by a video display.

Field Training
9:30AM - 3:30PM

Len Jenkins will demonstrate the techniques used in training upland bird dogs. The demonstrations will involve field work, pointing, flushing and retrieving. Emphasis will be placed on teaching the techniques, equipment and attitude necessary for developing a stylish upland bird dog. Many sporting breeds will be represented. Additionally, single, double, blind retrieves over barriers and various techniques used in training will be included.

Retriever Training
9:30AM - 3:30PM

Jim Miller will demonstrate single, double and blind retrieves over barriers and various handling techniques used in training.

Herding Ducks with Border Collies
9:30AM - 3PM

Pattie Raymond and the Border Collie Society of America will demonstrate herding using ducks. A large fenced in area will be used for this event.

Coursing and Training Techniques
9:30AM - 3:30PM

The Michigan Gazehound Association is a lure coursing club that represents “Sighthounds” and their owners. Bred for hunting, their primary
method of finding and tracking prey is by sight, relying on a combination of speed and stamina to capture its target. Nine of the twelve sighthounds
will be presented in a Parade of Sighthounds in which a representative from each breed will introduce their dog and do a short narrative on its
breed origin and utility.

Obedience Competition
9AM - 5PM

Obedience trials test a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored. Dogs can earn titles at different levels - Companion Dog (CD) Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) and Utility (UTD).

Rally Obedience Competition
9AM - 5PM

Rally is a new AKC titling event. The dog and handler team move continuously through a rally course of 10-20 signs with the dog at the handler's left side. At each numbered sign they perform the indicated exercise then move to the next sign. Unlimited communication is encouraged - the handler can talk to the dog and give multiple commands and signals. Scoring is less rigorous than traditional obedience.
The titles offered at each level are Rally Novice (RN), Rally Advanced (RA), and Rally Excellent (RE).

Meet the Breeds
11AM - 4PM

In our serious commitment to purebred dog education, the Detroit Kennel Club instituted "Meet the Breed" Seminars in 2003, which were met with overwhelming enthusiasm and support. Throughout each day of the show, four or five breed experts present a 45 minute seminar on their respective breeds. In addition, "A Guide for Buying a Purebred Puppy" is presented at 1PM each day by a member of the Detroit Kennel Club. These seminars have received a great response, and many are "standing room only."

The breeds scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2008 are the Basenji, Akita, Chesapeake Bay Retriever and a new breed, Portuguese Podengo. Sunday's breeds include the Bull Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, French Bulldog and Pug.

For further information on "Meet the Breeds" for 2008, contact DKC Education Chair Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine.

NEW! The American Kennel Club® selected Lake Orion resident Kimberly Kelly Santini’s as the winning artist in the fifth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship commemorative art poster competition.
10AM - 3PM

The winning piece, entitled “Many Faces”, is an acrylic painting laid down over giclee on canvas and depicts some of the faces of dogs from the artist’s year long project called “Painting a Dog a Day”. Santini painted the face of one dog each day for over a year. Her design best captured the contest’s theme “The Wonderful World of Purebred Dogs”.   Santini will personalize purchased copies of the poster in the American Kennel Club booth.  Proceeds from the sale will benefit Take the Lead, a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to providing direct services, support and care for all qualified participants in the sport of dogs who suffer from the devastating realities of life-threatening or terminal illnesses.

New Exhibitor Briefing

A new exhibitor briefing will be held during the Detroit Kennel Club shows. The briefing location and time will be posted in the Judging Program, and will be posted here when available. Spectators are welcome to attend.

Canine Care Patch
10AM - 5PM

All scout groups will enjoy the Stars of the Show when they tour the show floor with their special “Map of the Dog Show Stars”. Your group will enjoy a self-guided tour and earn the official Detroit Kennel Club K-9 Patch! Ticket price for any scout group of 20+ is $10 and includes a patch for every scout. To order tickets fill out a registration form, or contact Carolynn Gleich at (248) 540-5206 or gleichgroupsales@aol.com.

Television Events

Here are some of the televsion and radio events scheduled for 2008 thus far. TV Schedule