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 2010 Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows.
SPECIAL BENCHING SECTION: Show Us Your FSS
RING D: 10AM, 11:30AM, 1PM & 2:30PM
Benched until 4:30PM
How does a breed receive American Kennel Club recognition? In 2010, the Detroit Kennel Club will feature breeds a number of breeds that you may not have heard of, but that are on their way to becoming eligible to participate in AKC events. Come meet the FSS (Foundation Stock Service) breeds, and learn what it takes to become an AKC registered breed. The DKC is proud to present this exhibit and 21 FSS breeds. Dogs in this special benching section have come from as far as Quebec and Texas to exhibit and educate. For a list of breeds that have been accepted for recording in the AKC Foundation Stock Service, click FSS.
Conformation Judging
9 AM to 6PM
Each day, each of the over 160 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
RING A: 9AM - 5PM
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!
Pet Therapy Program Hands On Demonstration
RING F: 9AM - 4PM
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.
Dog Scouts of America
RING C: 11AM, 2PM & 3:30PM
The purpose of Dog Scouts of America is to educate the public about responsible pet parenting, promote the human/companion animal bond and encourage members to get involved with the community. Like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, our dogs earn badges for a variety of activities, attend troop meetings, have the opportunity to attend camps and perform community service. Demonstrations include a sample of activities and skills that are taught using positive training methods to earn badges.
Michigan Veterinary Specialists
RING B: 10:30AM, Noon, 1:30PM & 3PM
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:
PET FIRST AID AND CPR
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
RING E: 9:45AM, 10:45AM, 12:45PM & 1:45PM
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!
K-9 Officers - On the Job Dogs
RING C: 11AM, 1PM & 2:30PM
Learn how K-9 Officers are used in the police department to protect our communities. The discussion includes information on why specific breeds are used, what they look for in temperament, breeding and training. Hear stories of heroics and see a demonstration of the capabilities of these amazing dogs – from bomb and drug sniffing to tracking down hiding criminals.
Retriever & Field Training
RING G: 9:30AM, 10:30AM, 11:15AM, 12:30PM, 1:15PM, 2PM & 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.
NEW! Drafting Demonstration
RING F: 10:30AM, Noon, 1:30PM & 3PM
Come and see GO Drafting! Dogs and handlers demonstrate the skill and fun of canine drafting. Puppy and veteran canine athletes representing several AKC breeds will prove that size really doesn't mattter when it comes to having fun with drafting. Watch as Michigan handlers work in teams at varied levels of training to maneuver carts and wagons through an obstacle course similar to that used in official draft testing. Listen as Brian Smigielski and Adriana Chefan, recently featured on Animal Planet's draft segment, narrate, entertain and educate show visitors about what dog drafting is all about.
NEW! Classic K9 Extreme Team
RING H: 10:00AM, 11:30AM, 1:00PM, 2:30PM & 4PM
Appearing for the first time at the DKC Dog Shows, the Classic K9 Extreme Team welcomes celebrity canines from across the state for a weekend of high flying canine competition. Visitors are encouraged to cheer on their favorites as the dogs compete in high speed in-line agility, world record high jumping, exciting relay racing and much more. Special guests include "Toula," Johnny Depp's four legged costar from the movie Public Enemy, Michigan State High Jump Record Holder "Sky," and Michigan's own in-line Agility World Record Holder "Koti."
SPECIAL BENCHING SECTION: Coursing and Training Techniques
RING D: 10:45AM, 12:15PM, 1:45PM & 3:15 PM
Benched until 4:30PM
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
RING 1: 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
RING 1: 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. This year, in addition to the breed presentations, each day the DKC will present "A Guide for Buying a Purebred Puppy" at 1PM and An Introduction to Dog Shows at 10AM. These seminars have received a great response, and many are "standing room only."
The breeds scheduled for Saturday, March 6, 2010 are the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Border Collie, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and German Shorthaired Pointer. Sunday's breeds include the Scottish Deerhound, Bichon Frise, Bullmastiff and Berger Picard.
For further information on "Meet the Breeds" for 2010, contact DKC Education Chair Peggy Beisel-McIlwaine.
Canine Care Patch
10AM - 5PM
All scout and 4_H 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 the appropriate registration form (4-H or SCOUT) or contact Carolynn Gleich at (248) 540-5206 or gleichgroupsales@aol.com.
Television Events
The television and radio events scheduled for 2010 will be posted here when available. TV Schedule