Kansas City’s Premier Dog Show - March 11

Did you know there is a premier dog show right here in Kansas City? Yes there is! And, this year’s show will be held from Thursday to Sunday, on March 17-20, 2011 at the American Royal Complex. The show is sponsored by the Heart of America Kennel Club, Inc. (HOAKC).

Club History
The Heart of America Kennel Club is an all-breed kennel club comprised of canine breeders, exhibitors, and owners located in Kansas City, Missouri and the surrounding areas in Missouri and Kansas. The club was organized in late 1947 and was incorporated in Missouri as a “non-profit” organization on January 8, 1948. It was accredited by the American Kennel Club that same year.
The Heart of America Kennel Club is an organization made up of persons interested in the welfare of purebred dogs and is dedicated to the activities associated with the sport of purebred dogs.
For over 60 years, the Heart of America Kennel Club has sponsored all-breed competition events, including conformation dog shows, as well as a variety of service projects, education programs and training classes.

Annual Dog Show
Dogs of all sizes, shapes, and descriptions will appear at the HOAKC 2011 Cluster Dog Shows. Attendees can view top-winning dogs from around the U.S. proudly strutting their stuff at this event. Events will start at 8:00 a.m. and continue each day until the best in show dog is selected in late afternoon.
The shows on March 17 & 18 are presented by the Leavenworth Kennel Club. Shows on Thursday will include the All-Breed Shows, starting at 9:00 a.m., and continuing all day through Best in Show. Dogs will be judged by different judges at each show with separate winners being selected each day.
The shows on March 19 & 20 are presented by the Heart of America Kennel Club. Shows on Saturday will include the All-Breed Shows, starting at 9:00 a.m., and continuing all day through Heartland French Bulldog Show. Dogs will be judged by different judges at each show with separate winners being selected each day.

Come Learn and Enjoy
For individuals and families attempting to decide on a specific breed for a household pet, the shows offer a unique opportunity to see and compare any of over 150 pure-bred dog breeds, visit with breeders and exhibitors, and see many of the nationally prominent dogs from around the U.S. compete at these four shows.
Complimentary copies of the American Kennel Club informational pamphlets will be available. There will also be various health clinics and seminars. The public can shop in many vendor booths that offer a wide range of dog supplies, equipment, books, gift items, jewelry, antique dog collectibles and much more. Only dogs entered in these shows are allowed on the show grounds, so please don’t bring your pets.

Veterinary Scholarship Program
In addition to the annual dog show, the HOAKC promotes Veterinary Technology. A chance conversation led to the establishment of the a Veterinary Technology scholarship at Maple Woods Community College, one of five colleges comprising the Metropolitan Community College (MCC) cluster in Kansas City, Missouri. Since 2009, one $500 Vet Tech scholarship is awarded each Spring semester based on the applicants’ Fall semester GPA, financial need and the submission of a paper describing the individual’s experience with animals, motivation for choosing the Vet Tech course of study and career goals. The scholarship was established with a renewable feature for each succeeding semester until graduation based on specific criteria.
In combination with the Veterinary Technology scholarship, HOAKC committed to give a high-quality stethoscope to each member of Maple Woods incoming Vet Tech class. The stethoscopes are engraved with the student’s name and become their’s to use during their academic and professional careers.
The club also strongly supports the health and wellness of all dogs through sponsorship of research and canine health programs at accredited veterinary medicine colleges in the Midwest and nationally through contributions to the AKC’s Canine Health Foundation.

Jackson County K-9 Program
A desire of the HOAKC to continue its record of community service projects in its official territory of Jackson County, Missouri (largest city is Kansas City), led to its purchase of a trained narcotics detection/patrol support canine for the K-9 Unit of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Club members Janet and Dick Rees canvassed local law enforcement agencies for a K-9 Unit that might have been unfunded. Based on their research, they prepared a proposal for consideration by the club’s board of directors. The proposal included a narcotics safe to be installed in an area police department’s patrol car; building materials to complete another department’s K-9 Unit obstacle course, a training course used by most area K-9 Units; and the purchase of an K-9 dog to add to one unit. The dog, named “Blitz,” is an AKC registered, 2 1/2 year-old male German Shepherd Dog that replaced another dog that was retiring due to age, after a highly successful career.
The presentation took place on May 27, 2009, at the club’s regular meeting. In accepting the dog Sheriff Mike Sharp stated, “We appreciate this gift more than your members can imagine since it prevented the potential end of our K-9 Unit due to lack of funds. It can be said that during his career, Blitz will probably save an officer’s life while in the line of duty.”

Responsible Pet Ownership
The club encourages responsible dog ownership, and encourages the general public to come and learn about the different breeds. This dog show, is a wonderful opportunity, at no cost to see and experience a professional dog show. Please join us.
For more details about this group and the show, please visit www.heartofamericakc.org.

Spectator Etiquette
Heart of American Cluster Dog Shows
Dog shows present a wonderful opportunity for individuals and families to look at many different dog breeds simply for pleasure or for comparing breeds as a logical step in making a decision about what breed might best suit you and your lifestyle. In order to help ensure that you have a pleasant experience at our dog shows and to avoid distracting dogs and their handlers during their time in front of a judge, you are encouraged to read and comply with the following etiquette guidelines.
• The Heart Cluster encourages spectators to visit the grooming area and talk with professional breeders, groomers and handlers to gain insight about specific breeds, their characteristics, traits, needs, grooming requirements and to ask whatever questions you might have. This is a unique and especially valuable opportunity for anyone deciding what purebred breed is right you. However, be sure to not interfere with groomers if they are rushing to complete preparations to go to their show ring.
• Avoid reaching out to touch or pet a dog at the show without first asking the handler for permission. If the handler agrees, first let the dog sniff the back of your hand then extend your hand to gently pet the dog under its jaw or chest.
• Prevent small children from sticking their fingers and hands into crates and exercise pens. Again, always ask before petting a dog at the show.
• Don’t approach handlers when they are ready or waiting to enter the show ring. Wait until the handler is finished showing their dog if you want to talk to them.
• Spectators are not permitted in the center aisle of the show arena in order to avoid blocking the ring entrances. Many handlers are showing multiple entries and it becomes difficult for them to be at their assigned ring at the appropriate time if spectators block the way.
• Avoid talking to exhibitors while they are in the ring with their entry and don’t touch or lean on or over the ring fencing and markers.
• Avoid being near a show ring with food that might distract a handler’s entry while the judge is considering the dog.
• Leave your baby stroller at home or in your car. Most dog shows, including Heart Cluster, do not permit strollers in the show facility.
• You are not permitted to bring your pet to the show unless it is for an event that has been promoted for a special purpose such as a Canine Good Citizen test.
• Be sure to visit the vendor booths for many products and gift items related to the canine world. The vendors are also a source of valuable information about dogs.
• Finally, be sure to wear comfortable shoes since you will undoubtedly find yourself doing a lot of walking.

Come, have fun and learn at our dog show!