Brevard Kennel Club

We are group of people interested in advancing the interests of purebred dogs and the welfare of animals in general by education, financial assistance to worthy animal related causes and the protection and encouragement of dogs and dog ownership.

BKC supports various events that are the training ground of the dog fancy, giving the opportunity for puppies, neophyte handlers, aspiring judges, and formative clubs to practice their several skills until they are ready to enter the big time -- the AKC point show. Since being licensed in 1973 by the American Kennel Club to give AKC sanctioned point shows and obedience trials, the club has provided two such events each year. BKC provides basic training for dogs and handlers in a weekly conformation class.

Public education is an important facet of the club's activities. Dog exhibitions enable the general public to get acquainted with types of dogs that they may not have previously seen and by talking with owners, to learn what type of dog would best suit their situation.

Occasional seminars on more advanced subjects are provided for the serious dog-owner and the club's monthly meetings occasionally feature a program on one of the many aspects of dog ownership. BKC meets on the first Wednesday of each month at El Charro at 916 Florida Avenue, Cocoa, FL 32926. A social hour/dinner is available before the meeting from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The general membership meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. Anyone who is interested in dogs is cordially invited to attend.

El Charro Fine Mexican Food Map

Site Last Updated: Wednesday 06 March 2019, 22:14:20.

Fast CAT Flyer April 2019 Note: One entry form for each run is required. If you are running both morning and afternoon on both days then four (4) forms are needed.

Mail entries to the Trial Secretary:

Kristin Halkovic
8 Point View Place
Cocoa, FL 32926

The December Issue of Barks and Tails is Now Available - Click the Link Below

For your reading pleasure, Barks and Tails - December 2018 Issue

As always, past issues are available under the Main Menu Item - ARCHIVES submenu NEWSLETTERS.

Here are just some of the offerings from BKC:

Handling (Conformation) Class

BKC offers a free handling class for people wishing to learn more about showing their dogs or newer young dogs. The classes are held on Monday nights at 7:30. BKC rents the Canine Star Training Academy (CSTA) facility in the Cocoa Commercial Center at 3815 North US 1 Suite 1193815 North US 1 Suite 119, Cocoa, FL to hold the classes. We do not hold classes during the Westminster show, the week of our shows, nor the Monday following our shows. If there is a cancellation due to weather we will post the information on the website and our Facebook page. For questions or information on our handling class, please contact Edna Corney at (321) 355-0523.

Match

A match is a practice show and is a great way to train young dogs. Our matches are sanctioned by the American Kennel Club (AKC) but offer no championship points. Our B Match is usually held in October.

Drafting or Carting

If the word "drafting" is unfamiliar to you, you are not alone. It’s one of those dog sports that probably isn’t on the radar of the average dog owner. The basic definition is the act of pulling a cart or wagon. ("Carting" is often used interchangeably.) BKC, under the auspices of the Rottweiler parent club, hold carting classes and tests. While it sounds like a simple concept—putting a harness on your dog and letting him pull a cart or wagon—doing it right, and safely, requires instruction from an experienced trainer and specially designed equipment. Nowadays, many breeds, and mixed-breeds, participate in drafting and carting sports. As any dog owner can tell you, a dog with a job—even one that’s just for fun—is a happy dog, and having an outlet allows him to display his work ethic and the traits that are hard-wired from generations of careful breeding. For information, contact Leslie Kovacs at (321) 323-6535.

Coursing Ability Test (CAT)

This is a CAT for all breeds and all dogs. Those dogs that are not purebred or have an AKC number may apply for a PAL or CP number from AKC (we can usually do it at our CAT event). Small dogs must run 300 yards in under 1 1/2 minutes. Large dogs run 600 yards in under 2 minutes. This is a titling event and our club presents rosettes that get exponentially larger as the titles get more difficult to obtain. Information will be posted here and on Facebook for our next event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a Conformation Dog Show

What is a Conformation Dog Show?

“Conformation” is the official name for “dog shows.” While they may seem glamorous, the true purpose of conformation showing is to evaluate breeding stock. The dog’s conformation—his overall appearance and structure—is an indication of the dog’s ability to produce quality purebred puppies, and that is what is being judged in the ring. That’s why mixed-breeds and spayed or neutered purebreds are not eligible to compete. Many times a new exhibitor will get started in dog shows by finding a mentor, usually the breeder they acquired their puppy from. BKC offers a handling class to teach owners how to present their purebred dog to a judge at a dog show.

For each breed the AKC registers, there is a breed standard, which is a word description of the perfect dog of that breed. Standards describe the mental and physical characteristics that allow each breed to perform the function for which they were originated. The standard describes the dog's looks, movement and temperament. Breeders involved with each breed are attempting to produce a dog that most closely conforms to the breed standard. In this respect, dog shows are not unlike cat shows, bird shows, cattle shows, horse shows, etc. In fact, for almost every species bred by man there are competitions among breeders. AKC approved judges examine the dogs and place them in accordance to how close each dog compares with their mental image of the "perfect" dog as described in the breed's official standard.
Q: What are Obedience Trials?

Obedience trials showcase dogs that have been trained and conditioned to behave well at home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. AKC Obedience trials allow exhibitors and their dogs to enjoy companionship and competition as they proudly earn AKC titles.

Obedience trials demonstrate the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the obedience ring and emphasize the usefulness of the dog as a companion to humankind. The objective of obedience trials is to recognize dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport of obedience at all times and under all conditions.

Each level of obedience competition – Novice, Open, and Utility – requires mastering a specific skill set, which increase in difficulty, before advancing to the next level. For example, the Novice class demonstrates good canine companion skills such as heeling, both with and without a leash, coming when called, standing for a simple physical examination, and staying in both a sit and a down position with a group of dogs.
Q: What is Rally?

AKC Rally® is a companion sport to AKC Obedience. It too requires teamwork between dog and handler along with performance skills similar to obedience. Rally provides an excellent introduction to AKC events for new dogs and handlers, and can provide a challenging opportunity for competitors in other events to strengthen their skills. All dogs are eligible to compete in rally.

Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all conditions.

The team of dog and handler moves continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog under control at the handler's left side. There should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs; however, perfect "heel position" is not required. Any faults in traditional obedience that would be evaluated and scored as a one-point deduction or more should be scored the same in Rally, unless otherwise mentioned in the Rally Regulations. After the judge's "Forward" order, the team is on its own to complete the entire sequence of numbered signs correctly.

Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. Unless otherwise specified in these Regulations, handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs, or use any verbal means of encouragement. Multiple commands and/or signals using one or both
Q: What is Agility?

Even if you don't recognize it by name, you have probably seen an agility competition. Designed to demonstrate a dog's willingness to work with his handler in a variety of situations, agility is an athletic event that requires conditioning, concentration, training, and teamwork. Dogs and handlers must negotiate an obstacle course while racing against the clock. Agility is a great form of exercise for both dog and handler, and a fun way to bond. And you don't have to compete to enjoy agility. Taking an agility class offers many other benefits. But many people start the sport just for fun, only to get bitten by the agility bug and become lifelong competitors!

The Agility Course Test (ACT) is an entry level agility event designed to introduce and welcome beginning dogs and their handlers to the AKC sport of agility.

There are two levels of ACT events – ACT1 and ACT2. ACT1 is designed for the beginning level dog to show beginning sequencing and performance skills. ACT2 requires an increased skill level shown by the additional obstacles to be performed.

In addition to showing their dog’s entry level skills, exhibitors will learn to fill out an AKC entry form, check-in at the ring, taking their dog in and out of ring, handling their dog while being judged and other information that will help them when they move on to AKC agility trials with their dog. Dogs must be 15 months old to enter these events. They do not need to be AKC registered at the time of entry.
Q: What is a Coursing Ability Test (CAT)?

The Coursing Ability Test (CAT) is an introductory event fashioned after the sport of lure coursing. Lure coursing is a system of mechanized lures and pulleys that simulate the unpredictability of chasing live prey. The CAT tests a dog’s basic coursing instinct or hunting-by-sight ability. The dog chases an artificial lure, and the test is a non-competitive pass/fail event with dogs run one at a time. To pass the test, a dog running alone must pursue a lure, completing the course with enthusiasm and without interruption within a given time. Most dogs will happily go after the lure! The CAT provides a lively and healthy activity attractive to many dog owners.
Q: What is a Fast CAT?

The purpose of the AKC Fast CAT event is to provide all dogs and their owners an enjoyable, healthy activity in which they can participate. Dogs run singularly. The dog's time to complete the 100 yard dash is converted into MPH. Dogs earn points based on their handicapped speed. Titles are awarded when a dog has accumulated a given number of points.