Warning, this post is going to be a flat-out advertisement for this year’s PBGVCA National Specialty. Why? Because I have spent the past 2 years, with the help of my amazing committee, to put together a really fun event with lots to do for PBGVs and their people. Here are the Top 10 reasons to join us:
1. More companion and performance events than ever. This year’s show offers agility, the new AKC temperament test, scent work, obedience, rally, Canine Good Citizen testing, Trick Dog, FAST CAT, and a hunt test. Never tried a performance event before? Consider the temperament test, trick dog, FAST CAT, or hunting instinct test. These are all entry level (or should I say gateway?) activities that will give you a taste of dog sports without a huge training commitment.
2. The National and Regional Specialty shows, which will include Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes, and 4-6 month Beginner Puppy Competition for those babies who aren’t quite old enough for the big show. Our regular class judges are very experienced hound judges and both sweepstakes judges are PBGV Breeders.
3. Junior Showmanship competition. I started out in PBGVs as a junior myself (with the great-great-great-great grandmother of some of my current dogs) and really hope to see some young people out there with their PBGVs.
4. Lots of great educational opportunities, including a talk on aspects of reproduction, another on sports medicine, and parent club mentoring and judges education seminars.
5. Health clinic for eye exams and a blood draw for the DNA bank.
6. Did I mention that the National Specialty is effectively a week-long party? Social events will include the Welcome Party, Top 20, the Awards Breakfast, and the annual banquet and auction. For the first time, Top 20 will include demonstrations by some of the club’s top performance dogs.
7. The chance to have your voice heard at the annual meeting.
8. A comfortable, dog friendly environment. Roberts Centre was designed for dog shows. The hotel has lots of grassy areas, fenced in dog parks for extra exercise, a bathing area, and an onsite restaurant. No fighting with elevators in a high rise building or having to walk blocks and blocks to potty dogs- just a nice stress free experience.
9. An opportunity to volunteer your time to support your club and breed. Want to learn more about one of the events and have the best seat in the house? Consider volunteering. Help is needed for every performance event and no experience is required.
10. Lots of casual fun activities, like a photo booth for selfies, Boards of Awesomeness to brag about your dog or thank someone who has helped you out, and special theme days.
All of the show information can be found at www.pbgv.com. Questions? Please post below or email me at ClancyPBGV@gmail.com.
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