Kudos To:

AKC Community Achievement Award Honorees:
  • Bayou Kennel Club
  • Tom and Barbara Bishop
  • Bismarck Kennel Club
and to...

Morris & Essex Kennel Club for creating a Facebook page to promote their upcoming show. The show, held every five years to celebrate Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge’s historical 1927-1957 shows, takes place October 7, 2010 in Somerset, NJ. Since the Facebook page’s creation at the beginning of 2010, nearly 1,500 people have “liked” the page. Taking advantage of the fond memories many fanciers have of the event, the page’s manager regularly posts photos (there are nine albums containing both historic and present-day images) and trivia questions as a way to create interaction among page visitors. Regular “Wall” posts offer news updates (such as the announcement of the judging panel) to keep interest piqued until October and answer exhibitor questions. Consider creating a Facebook page for your show or your club. The page can help generate “buzz” about your events and help members and other interested parties informed about club happenings. To get the word out about your new page, include the web address in all mailings and communications about your show and promote it on your club website and all dog friends’ Facebook pages.

We’d also love you to join all of AKC’s social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr.

Myrtle Beach Kennel Club for highlighting the new and unique aspects of their show in the local press. Local NBC affiliate WMBF of Florence, South Carolina previewed the club’s late May shows, noting that it would be the first time ever that dog shows had been held at the local Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fairgrounds. Another “first” mentioned in the segment was the entry of mixed breed dogs in the club’s obedience trials. When your event is held year after year, media may tire of covering the same old thing. That’s where your PR skills come in! Create a fresh “hook” or “angle” for the local media. MBKC noted the various “firsts” happening this year. You may want to highlight new AKC breeds in attendance for the first time, any special attractions you’re offering like Meet the Breeds, or fun for the entire family like shopping, face painting and more.

Ace Emery and the Greater Orange Park Dog Club (GOPDC) who educated moviegoers at the weekend release of the movie Marmaduke. Member volunteers and three Great Danes attended the premiere at the local movie theater and educated the public about purebred dogs and responsible dog ownership. The event was such a success that it was featured on WJXT-TV, an independent television station in Jacksonville, Florida, and posted on their website.  The three Great Danes in attendance showed the public what kind of dogs are available through responsible breeding and rescue, and also reminded moviegoers that is important to do extensive research before deciding to add any dog to the family. By taking the initiative to capitalize off a current pop culture topic, GOPDC was able to engage, educate and delight the public. The great visual of the three Great Danes captured a local television station’s attention and helped them reach out to educate the audience not in attendance that day.  The American Kennel Club is happy to help when opportunities like this arise, so feel free to reach out for public education materials and or advice, and keep an eye out for upcoming dog-related theatrical releases!

Kathy Gotschall and Golden State American Staffordshire Terrier Club for promoting the successes and good deeds of the American Staffordshire Terrier breed. Unfortunately, lawmakers often target Am Staffs and the "bully" breeds with breed specific legislation and other restrictive ordinances, simply due to their appearance. It’s important to educate lawmakers that the "deed," not the breed should be punished. Gotschall’s recent efforts exemplify the idea of "deed, not breed." She shares the stories of dogs like 13-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier "Emma" (Milagra's Emma Lee Bi Sierra, owned by Rita Tyler) as an example of what well-trained Am Staffs can accomplish. Emma has achieved 55 titles, including a MACH10. Additionally, the club has written letters to federal officials like Secretary of Defense Gates opposing the ban of specific dog breeds in military housing. When only reports of things like dog attacks are in the news, it’s important to make the effort to get the good news out there. Promote your dogs’ AKC titles, including Canine Good Citizen certification and any Companion and Performance titles. Press often like hearing about an impressive number of titles or records for the breed, so get creative!

Staten Island Companion Dog Training Club for their inclusion into a “roundup” article about pets in their local paper, the Staten Island Advance. The paper ran a recent article rounding up all the top pet organizations in Staten Island, including rescue groups, emergency care facilities, obedience training organizations and dog runs and parks. The paper featured SICDTC in their training section, noting that the club offers Puppy kindergarten, beginner and intermediate obedience classes and advanced competition classes, and that it also hosts an American Kennel Club obedience trial. They also provided the location of the club’s training hall and a phone number for further information. Since pets are such a large part of American lives these days, most media outlets now have pet-centric sections or issues at least once a year. Get to know the person handling pet-related news at your local paper and/or TV station and your club could be the one they think of when such an opportunity arises. Continually promote your club’s training classes, shows and community activities, and you could become known in your area as the resource for all things dog!