Raleigh, NC – Don’t just watch the action at the 2013 Raleigh Kennel Club dog show, become part of it! For the first time, the show will feature the American Kennel Club’s free attraction My Dog Can Do That!.
What: AKC’s My Dog Can Do That! (MDCDT): The public is invited to try a free Agility course with their dog.
Where: MDCDT! will take place in Ring 15 in the Jim Graham Building, NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road.
When: Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Also: Meet 2013 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show winner Banana Joe the same day!
The Raleigh Kennel Club dog show is part of the five-day Tarheel Cluster of Dog Shows beginning Wednesday, March 20th and concluding Sunday, March 24th. The cluster features more than 1,000 dogs competing each day during the week in conformation, obedience and AKC Rally® and nearly 2,000 on the weekend, with large entries in many breeds, including Labs, Affenpinschers and Poodles.
“We’re pleased to feature My Dog Can Do That! at the Raleigh Kennel Club dog show,” said Dennis McCoy, Tarheel Cluster Coordinator. “It’s a great way for the general public to get involved in dog sports with their canine best friend. We hope they’ll stick around to enjoy the rest of the cluster, meet their favorite breeds, and speak with breeders and exhibitors.”
At My Dog Can Do That!, trainers will show owners how to get their dog started in the exciting sport of agility, which is an obstacle course for dogs. Owners will be able to try beginning agility equipment with their dog and will receive helpful obedience tips. After the My Dog Can Do That experience, owners will be able to pick up information on where to find dog training classes in their community.
In addition, the American Kennel Club® will offer all MDCDT participants a discounted enrollment in its AKC Canine PartnersSM program. This program is for all dogs, including mixed-breeds, and allows them to list with AKC and compete in many events, including agility. Everyone who enrolls their dog in Canine Partners at the show will receive a T-shirt, bandana, one-year subscription to AKC Family Dog magazine and other benefits.
My Dog Can Do That! participating dogs must be at least 6 months old and have proof of rabies vaccination. Dogs should be brought to the event on buckle or snap collars or harness and a regular 4 to 6 foot leash. Please, no prong collars or retractable leashes. No pre-registration is required for My Dog Can Do That! – just sign up at the show.
Other events include:
- Meet Banana Joe – Saturday, March 23 – Check the easel near the show entrance to find Banana Joe!
- Dog Show Tour – Sunday, March 24 – Learn how a dog show works from the experts. Ask at the show entrance to find the tour.
- Sanctioned B Match – Friday, March 22 – A match is practice for a dog show. Learn how to show your purebred dog or just come to watch hundreds of dogs from AKC's 177 breeds compete for Best in Match. Learn how to enter here.
Show admission is $5 for adults, $2 for Seniors (60+) and kids 7-12, and free for kids under 7 and military/vet students with ID.
For more information on My Dog Can Do That! and the AKC Canine Partners program, visit www.akc.org, email akccaninepartners@akc.org or call 919-816-3749.
Click here for more information on the Tarheel cluster.