2023 Special Event Schedule

Barn Hunt

The American Kennel Club has this to say about Barn Hunt:

“Not everyone will understand the importance of “rat catchers,” but if you live in the countryside, you sure do! “Rat catchers” rid farms of destructive vermin – and the hunting and teamwork skills required to do so are the foundation of the sport of Barn Hunt. Dogs and their handlers work as a team to locate and mark rats (which are always safely held in aerated tubes) hidden in a maze of straw or hay bales.

Some breeds are specifically created to fill this role as well as some mixed breeds being up to the task, but as long as your dog can fit through an 18″ wide by bale-height tall tunnel, he’s eligible! “Barn Hunt tests the nose, speed, agility, and surefootedness of dogs that have a history of above-ground vermin hunting,” said Robin Nuttall, founder of the Barn Hunt Association.”

Barn Hunt events include a pass/fail instinct class for owners who want to familiarize their dog with the test. Courses are made increasingly difficult by adding more obstacles, additional diversions and more rats to find.”

Barn Hunt Trials at the 2023 DKC Dog Shows schedule TBD! Enter your dog in the Barn Hunt Trials, or come and watch these amazing dogs in action!


AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Community Canine (CGCA) Testing

Canine Good Citizen

The AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is the gold standard of behavior for dogs in our communities. Almost one million dogs have participated in the program since it began in 1989.

Many dog owners choose the CGC as their first step in training their dogs. It also provides a great foundation for getting started in dog sports.

As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you’ll discover the many benefits and joys of training. You’ll enhance your bond with your dog, and dogs with basic obedience training are a joy to live with—interacting well with other people and dogs and responding well to household routines.

The CGC program offers many practical advantages too. The CGC award is a prerequisite for many therapy dog groups. Some homeowner’s insurance companies encourage CGC testing, and an increasing number of apartments and condos require that resident dogs pass the CGC test. The tagline of the CGC program is, “Responsible Owners, Well-Mannered Dogs,” and that is what CGC is all about.

CGC Testing will be available at the 2023 DKC Dog shows for both dogs entered in the dog shows as well as non-entered dogs! If you have been attending basic obedience classes with your dog and are ready to take the CGC test, walk-in registration for this testing is available.

AKC Community Canine

AKC Community Canine is the advanced level of AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program.

As with CGC, AKC Community Canine has a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Community Canine title. This is a title that appears on the dog’s title record at AKC.

CGCA Testing will be available at the 2021 DKC Dog shows for both dogs entered in the dog shows as well as non-entered dogs! If you have been attending basic obedience classes with your dog, passed the CGC test and are ready to take the CGCA test, walk-in registration for this testing is available.


Weight Pull

Many dog breeds were developed to pull heavy loads to assist their owners. Today, these dogs enjoy the sport of weight pull, which enables dogs to put on a special harness and pull a cart that is loaded with weight, often bags of dog food.

Weight pull event schedule for 2023 TBD.

Enter your dog in the Weight Pull events, or come to cheer on your favorite during this thrilling exhibition of doggy strength and determination!