Category Archives: Dog Activities

Dog Activities

Westminster 2021: Obedience 101

Photo: WKC
Photo: WKC

From our friends at Westminster:

What is dog obedience?

Obedience describes the act of training your dog to have good manners. Owning a well-trained dog is a joy to live with. Many dog owners also enjoy the sport of Obedience, where dog and handler execute a routine of exercises that mimic the desired behaviors of a dog at home, on the road, or while in the company of other dogs. Obedience trials sanctioned by the American Kennel Club are held by local clubs nationwide so owners and their dogs can enhance their human-canine bond while competing to earn titles of achievement. Continue reading Westminster 2021: Obedience 101 →

Dog Activities

Westminster 2021: First Look at Saturday Breed Results

Results from the Best in Breed rings are just starting to trickle in. Check back at 4:00 for an update, then hopefully by 7:00 I’ll have everything posted for the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding Groups. You can catch video of your favorite breed being judged on WestminsterKennelClub.org.

HOUNDS
Greyhounds CH Sky Hi Hunt Song Of Fire And Ice
Harriers GCHS CH Blythmoor Sheez-Beez Tell Me No Tales
Ibizan Hounds GCHB CH Orion’s Calgary Flame
Pharaoh Hounds GCH CH Anubis Karnak Elle Macpherson
Plotts GCH CH Hosker’s Easy Money
Portuguese Podengo Pequenos GCH CH Corral West Bullet Proof
Rhodesian Ridgebacks GCHS CH Shadowridge A Touch Of Class
Salukis GCHG CH Aurora’s Rhythm Of My Heart
Whippets GCHP CH Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon Continue reading Westminster 2021: First Look at Saturday Breed Results →

Dog Activities

Westminster 2021: Junior Showmanship 101

From our friends at the Westminster Kennel Club:

What is Junior Showmanship?

Junior Showmanship competition is for children ages 9-18 years of age. In this competition, the young people are judged solely on their handling skills independent of the traits of the dog. Handling, care and responsible dog ownership are important aspects of Junior Showmanship as well as learning social skills, sportsmanship, and the opportunity to bond with one’s dog.

How is Junior Showmanship judged?

These young handlers must demonstrate breed knowledge in presentation of the dog as well as economy of motion. The judge is considering how well the handlers present their dogs with regard to control, teamwork as well as composure and unexaggerated movement. The goal for the Juniors, like the best adult handlers, is to enhance their dog’s qualities to the judge without using distracting, unnecessary motions.

What is Junior Showmanship at Westminster?

Since 1934 the Westminster Kennel Club has offered Junior Showmanship competition (formerly known as Children’s Handling class). Today Junior Showmanship at Westminster is a limited class for young people who have won Best Junior Handler awards seven times or more at AKC dog shows in a certain time period. The competition has a preliminary judging round held at the Piers where more than 100 Juniors from across the country are judged with eight finalists being selected to move on to the Finals competition.

What can I expect to see in the Finals competition?

The Finals competition brings the eight finalists together for one more round of competition. The first-place winner is crowned Best Junior Handler followed by a 2nd, 3rd and 4th placements. Since 2010, the Westminster Kennel Club has offered Junior Showmanship Finalist Scholarship Awards to the eight finalists at the show: First place $10,000, Second place $5,000, Third place $4,000, and Fourth place $3,000. Each of the other finalists receive a $500 scholarship award. The scholarships are for their use in post-secondary schooling for the college or technical school of their choice.

What breeds are eligible to compete in Junior Showmanship?

All purebred dogs registered with the American Kennel Club are eligible to compete in Junior Showmanship. You may see dogs from the 209 AKC recognized breeds representing each of the seven groups, from Affenpinschers to Vizslas.

Learn more about Junior Showmanship at Westminster.

Prelims for Junior Showmanship are Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Finals are Sunday from 7:00 to 7:30 pm. All will be streamed live at WestminsterKennelClub.org.

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!

Dog Activities

Westminster 2021: Agility 101

Photo: WKC
Photo: WKC

From our friends at the Westminster Kennel Club:

What is Agility?

Agility is a sport that appeals to all dog lovers – from young people to senior citizens. It has a great spectator appeal. 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. Continue reading Westminster 2021: Agility 101 →

Dog Activities

Westminster 2021: Agility Primer

(The video above is from last year’s WKC agility show.)

From the American Kennel Club: Dog agility is a sport where you direct your dog through a pre-set obstacle course within a certain time limit. Courses typically have between 14-20 obstacles, which can include tunnels, weave poles, tire jumps, seesaws, and pause tables where the dog must stop for a set amount of time. At each trial you and your dog will race around the unique courses designed for that day. All of this is done with your dog relying solely on the cues and body language you use to direct them on course.

All breeds, including mixed breeds, can participate in Agility – from the smallest to the largest of dogs. Continue reading Westminster 2021: Agility Primer →