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New York, NY -The American Kennel Club® has announced that an AKC® “Educational Match” will be held Saturday, September 29th on the grounds of the Hunterdon Developmental Center in Clinton, N.J. AKC held the first Educational Match in Raleigh, NC in March 2007.

The purpose of these events is to offer the general public and new exhibitors a friendly forum in which to learn about the sport of purebred dogs, and to provide AKC clubs with a template that they can emulate in their communities.

Attendees will learn how to groom, train and show their dogs with the help of AKC staff and local area AKC club members. The educational portion of the event — running 9 a.m. through noon — is free and open to anyone with an interest in dogs. Planned activities include:

  • Handling classes for adults and juniors
  • Grooming demos and one-on-one tutorials
  • Dog show 101 classes – how a dog show works, descriptions of different classes how to become an AKC Champion
  • Dog show entry assistance from an AKC licensed superintendent
  • Equipment advice – breed specific advice on equipment and tools
  • AKC Canine Good Citizen information and testing
  • Agility, Obedience and Rally demos

 

At 10:00 a.m. an AKC C-Match will be held for Obedience and Rally, at noon Junior Showmanship competition will be held and at 1:00 p.m. an AKC Conformation B-Match will be held. CGC Testing will be open to the first 40 dogs that sign-up and will be held from 11-noon and 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. The entry fee for the match is $5.00 per dog for conformation and $5.00 per run-through for Obedience and Rally.

The judging panel for Conformation will be as follows:

  • Best Puppy in Match: Dennis B. Sprung
  • Best Adult in Match: Nina Schaefer
  • Sporting Breeds and Groups: Ray Scott
  • Hound Breeds and Groups: Susan Sprung
  • Working Breeds and Groups: Tom Davies
  • Terrier Breeds and Groups: Marieann Gladstone
  • Toy Breeds and Groups: Robin Stansell
  • Non-Sporting Breeds and Groups: Cindy Stansell
  • Herding Breeds and Groups: Ginger Scott
  • Junior Showmanship: Cheryl Koenitz

 

Local clubs are invited to participate with grooming, training and handling demos as well as mentoring at the AKC booth or at a club table where members can provide literature about their club and upcoming events. All clubs that provide significant participation in assisting with this match or its educational activities will be credited for holding an AKC sanctioned match. To date, the following clubs have confirmed participation:

  • Central New Jersey Hound Association
  • Chihuahua Club of Mid Jersey
  • Garden State English Springer Spaniel Club
  • K-9 Obedience Training Club of Essex County
  • Kennel Club of Northern New Jersey
  • Meadowlands Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club
  • Morris & Essex Kennel Club
  • Newton Kennel Club
  • Plainfield Kennel Club
  • Raritan River Akita Club
  • Shih Tzu Club of Northern New Jersey
  • Somerset Hills Kennel Club
  • Sussex Hills Kennel Club
  • Twin Brooks Kennel Club

 

“Many people enjoy watching dog shows on TV but don’t realize that it’s a fun, family sport that is easy to get involved in. Learning to show your dog can be intimidating to a novice so we are holding this unique event specifically to create a welcoming and educational environment for newcomers,” said Gina DiNardo Lash, Assistant Executive Secretary of the AKC. “We are very thankful to the clubs who have already volunteered the assistance of their dedicated and experienced members, and hope we can count on support from other clubs in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.”

For more information about attending or volunteering for the AKC Educational Match, call 212-696-8350 or email gml@akc.org.