Idaho Capital City Kennel Club

Programs: Dog shows and trials- american kennel club sanctioned all breed shows are held each october in boise, idaho in conjunction with obedience, rally, and agility trials. Throughout the year obedience, rally, and agility trials are held. At the events, about exhibitors enter their dog(s) in the four venues each day and complete conformation, obedience, rally, or agility titles. Junior showmanship classes provide youth ages 10 to 18 a place to learn about becoming better dog show handlers. Youth are encouraged to participate in the companion events of obedience, rally, and agility through the akc junior program. Spectators attend each day's events. People who attend and exhibit at these events learn that not all akc dogs are breeding quality. Each dog is judged according to a strict breed standard which maintains the purpose and appearance specific to that particular breed. People also realize that trained dogs make better pets. The dogs are socialized, non-aggressive, and actually enjoy going to dog shows and trials with their handlers and owners. These dogs can be taken anywhere and have impeccable manners. Another obvious learning experience for many is to see exactly how important, exercise, and grooming is for the health of every dog, not just those at the shows and trials. In view of the pet over-population problem in the united states, it must be noted that a person will leave these events realizing there is a lot more to breeding dogs than just putting a male and female together. A responsible educated owner breeds infrequently and only to improve the breed. It is made very clear that spayed and neutered dogs make the best pets, and even akc champions are spayed and neutered when placed or kept as pets. Idaho capital city kennel club (icckc) provides an information and education table and provides free of charge brochures on a myriad of dog-related subjects and activities. Icckc provides concession space for the local humane society and rescue groups to display photos of dogs which have ended up at the shelter; and especially of their purebreds and mixed breeds which have been adopted and become competitors in akc events through either the akc purebred alternative listing or canine partners programs.

education- idaho capital city kennel club (icckc) maintains a public information phone line and a comprehensive educational website with email response capabilities through which the general public gains free information about dogs. A social media facebook page also supplies links to each of these. Approximately 100 to 150 people each month use these venues which are advertised in the phone book, online, and on business cards distributed to veterinary offices and boarding facilities. Inquiries cover a myriad of topics, including but not limited to: registration questions, where to purchase a purebred puppy or older dog of a certain breed, obedience training, how to get involved in doggie events, placement of a family pet, where to find a stud dog, and what veterinarian or boarding facility to use. Inquiries are answered in a timely manner and referred to the proper authority on the subject. It is icckc policy to refer for education purposes only. Icckc does not maintain a list of known breeders, but rather will refer to a club member, dog fancier, or breed club where the person can receive the most information and help towards the resolution of their inquiry. Icckc monthly meetings are open to the public and always are preceded by an educational program on a dog related topic. Each month anywhere from 5 to 25 guests attend these programs. The number obviously varies with the topic/speaker and the relevance to a persons needs. The icckc also publishes a bi-monthly newsletter (courier) which is sent to the icckc members, several other dog clubs, local veterinarians, and to guests who have recently attended meetings. Besides keeping the dog fanciers in the area advised of doggie events, courier also usually contains informational educational articles related to dogs. Icckc also maintains an extensive library of books, videos, dvds , and magazines covering every dog-related topic. Items may be checked out for individual use. The library is not limited to icckc members, but also may be used by guests attending meetings. Rarely a month goes by, that someone does not have something checked out. In the spring, classes are offered to the general public. Icckc members with expertise in conformation handling, obedience, agility, rally, canine good citizen, or some other dog related sport are utilized as instructors for these seven week sessions. Each year approximately 30 to 50 people take advantage of this class opportunity. In order to encourage youth to train their dogs and participate in akc events, youth enrolled in a 4-h dog project are charged only half of the regular fee for classes. Weekend seminars with nationally known speakers/instructors are also sponsored during the year and are not limited to icckc members. Twice a year, an akc sanctioned match is held. The purpose of this simulated dog show is to educated the general public about the various conformation and companion, and performance events available and encourage them to participate with their dogs. Canine good citizenship testing is made available at each of the matches to those who wish to have their dog certified. Qualified individuals are utilized as judges in each of the areas of competition/testing. Youth enrolled in a 4-h dog project are encouraged to attend these matches and any entry fees are waived for them. The icckc participates in public events /promotions by providing educational booths manned by club members and their dogs. In one weekend thousands of people may be in contact with dog-related educational information all aimed at promoting responsible dog ownership. The icckc sponsors canine health screenings which are so important for a healthy pet and are recommended for all breeding animals. Youth members are permitted as members in icckc. A scholarship program is in place to assist not just the icckc youth members but any dog-loving youth in icckcs area of impact, to achieve their competition and educational dreams.

donations - every year the idaho capital city kennel club donates money to an assortment of associations and societies that promote dogs and responsible dog ownership.