-- New Performance and Agility
Opportunities Available to Competitors --
The
American Kennel Club has recently launched several new competitive
opportunities for exhibitors in Performance Events and Agility, and
I’m pleased to update you about the success and progress of these
programs.
The Blue Grass Coursing Club and Greyhound Association of Northern
Georgia hosted the first AKC Coursing Ability Tests at the end of
February. This new Titling event, which tests the dog’s ability to
course, opens up the fun of Lure Coursing to beyond sight hounds to
all dogs - purebreds and mixed-breeds.
There were 28 different breeds of all shapes and sizes coursed,
including a Newfoundland, Great Dane, Boxers, Cardigan Welsh Corgis
as well as mixed-breed dogs. The first dog to earn a Coursing
Ability Title was "Juno," a Belgian Tervuren who also earned his AKC
Championship three weeks prior.
The clubs received 158 entries over the five tests, and
approximately 75% of the dogs passed, but the real focus was on
camaraderie and fun. Competitors provided positive feedback, cheered
on each other’s dogs and enjoyed the day. We look forward to seeing
this event expand to clubs across the country. A big thank you goes
to Doug Ljungren, AKC’s Performance Events AVP, for bringing this
new sport to life!
In Agility, I’m pleased to announce the creation of the Preferred
Agility Championship title, or PACH, which will take effect July
1st. Originally scheduled for 2013, we’re happy to implement it
almost 2 years ahead of schedule to recognize our Preferred Agility
dogs. Dogs must achieve a minimum of 750 championship points and 20
double qualifying scores from the Excellent Standard and Jumpers
with Weaves classes to obtain the championship.
The PACH title is also retroactive, so that any dog that met the
requirements prior to July 1st, 2011 will have PACH prefix added to
their AKC registered name in the registration database.
We are also looking forward to the upcoming 15th annual AKC National
Agility Championship, in Lexington, VA on April 1-3. We have a
record-breaking 1,136 entries, including for the first time ever
Canine Partners listed dogs. And for even more fun, we’re using
Twitter to publish real-time results of every run in every ring (ex.
www.twitter.com/AKCRing1, etc.). We hope the exhibitors and
spectators really enjoy this!
Finally, we’re pleased to announce the first Master Agility Champion
mixed-breed dog.
"Prince Doggie," a 5-year-old from Michigan completed the MACH title
requirements on February 20 at a trial in Dexter, Michigan. This
title came just ten months after the Canine Partners program
enrollees became eligible to compete in AKC Agility, Obedience and
Rally trials. It’s impressive to note that this accomplishment was
achieved by a first-time dog owner! Congratulations to Prince
Doggie!
We hope all of these new events will attract new dog owners to the
world of AKC events! We look forward to showing the public the fun
they can have with their dog as well as providing new competitive
avenues for our long-time competitors.
For the latest updates and coverage on these new programs, stay
tuned to www.akc.org and AKC’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
Sincerely,
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