Category: Showing

Posted on

New Titles!

This past weekend was fun (and hot) in Grinnell. Bing earned is DCAT (Fast CAT – the dogs earn points based on their MPH, and Bing has now accumulated 500 points to earn this title), even though he decided he was only into chasing the bag if I was catching him at the finish. He did get faster throughout the weekend, though. Still not his best times but not bad for the heat and other distractions.

Nash earned his first Barn Hunt title, RATN. To earn that, we had to find a rat hidden (safely) in a tube among hay bales, do a climb onto the hay and a tunnel, all under two minutes. He did it it in 44 seconds. We have to qualify in this manner three times to earn the title. We earned our first two Q’s a few months ago. At this event, we were the fastest novice team, so he got a first place award as well.

Posted on

Fast CAT Pictures

Had great fun with the dogs a few weekends ago doing Fast CAT (Coursing Ability Test) and Barn Hunt with Nash. FCAT is a timed 100 yard straight run, where the dogs chase a “bunny” (plastic bag, tied to a line that zips along the ground). The dogs absolutely love it and it’s thrilling to watch them run so fast.

Bing’s times were in the 24 MPH range, so not his best effort, but still good times. Nash was in the 23 MPH range.

Great Dane FCAT
Great Dane running Fast CAT
Great Dane running
Golden Retriever FCAT
Golden Retriever running Fast CAT
Posted on

Bing earns his Rally Novice title

Super pleased with this biddable dog. He is just such an easy dog to work!

From AKC’s site about Rally:
You and your dog navigate a course, side-by-side, as you steer him through a course of 10-20 different signs. Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. The dog and handler move continuously throughout the course with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There is a clear sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered signs. Although each performance is timed, having a good race time is not the goal; it’s all about working as a team while performing the skills, with the dog under control.

Want to learn more about AKC’s Rally obedience program? Click here

Posted on

New Title

Pending AKC confirmation, Bing earned his first Fast CAT (Coursing Ability Test) title this past weekend in Lincoln, NE. His new personal best is 7.59 seconds (26.95 MPH).

Posted on

Fast CAT

Bing and Nash have both previously earned their “CA” (Coursing Ability) title by running CAT (Coursing Ability Test), but they both recently ran Fast CATs and had a blast!

There are actually several differences between CAT and FCAT. The CAT is 600 yards with turns; FCAT is 100 yards, strait. In CAT, timing isn’t critical, as long as your dog finishes the course in under a set time. In FCAT, it’s all about the time! Once your dog has run three qualified runs, the average of their three fastest times will be calculated and used to determine their ranking within their breed. Very fun and thrilling event!

To learn more about about AKC CAT, visit https://www.akc.org/sports/coursing/coursing-ability-test/ and for FCAT, visit https://www.akc.org/sports/coursing/fast-cat/. These events are open to all breeds, even mixed breeds.

Posted on

Good show weekend!

Had a great weekend at the AKC Council Bluff’s all-breed dog show last weekend. Bing went Winners Dog, Best of Winners, Owner Handler Best of Breed, and then an Owner Handler Group 3 on Saturday. Bosley made his show ring debut in the 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy, earning a Puppy Group 2 on Saturday. On Sunday, Nash earned his first point going Winners Dog, Best of Winners, Owner Handler Best of Breed, and then an Owner Handler Group 1!

Nash showing off his Owner Handler Group 1 rosette.
Cell-phone shot of Bing in the ring

Curious about what those accomplishments mean? Check out The Road to Best In Show, published on the AKC website for an explanation of Winners Dog and Best of Winners. The 4-6 Month Puppy competition is a non-point event (dogs do not earn points towards their AKC championship until they are 6 months old). Owner Handler means exactly that – the person handling the dog is not a professional handler. For more information, check out National Owner Handler Series.