ACKCSC 2023 National Specialty
Companion Events & Performance
Rally & Obedience
Performance competition is an important and special part of Nationals Week. Be amazed by what our Cavaliers can do! Join us, either to participate in obedience and rally competitions, or simply to cheer on those who are striving for excellence in these performance events.
Huge congratulations to our 2022 High Triple High Combined., PACH RACH Estancia Cruisin Fancy Pants CDX RM3 RAE2 FDC MXP4 MXPB MJPR MJPB PAX FP T2BP BCAT ACT2 CGCA CGCU TKE, Owners: Mary (pictured) & Joel Morris.
Obedience and Rally Trial (Nat’l Specialty)
Day: Tuesday May 2, 2023
Event Chair: Mary Morris
Judge: David Brobst
Obedience and Rally Trial (Independent Specialty)
Day: Wednesday May 3, 2023
Event Chair: Mary Morris
Judge: David Brobst
Entries: BaRay Event Services 
AGILITY
We are very excited to announce plans to offer Agility at the 2023 National Specialty Event. There will be 4 Agility Trials at Level Up Dog Sports in Mechanicsville Virginia (about 1 1/2 hours from the Host Hotel in Virginia Beach. Friday will be hosted by an all-breed club and the ACKCSC will host Saturday, Sunday and Monday. More details will follow, but Cavaliers will have preferred (advance) registration for agility.
Agility is not only an enjoyable sport to compete in, but so much fun to watch! It’s one of the fastest-growing canine sports in the country. Canine agility is a sport where you direct your dog through a pre-set obstacle course in a race for time and accuracy. Cavaliers are especially enjoyable to watch as they race through the course. You can see the exhilaration — their tails wagging and their ears flying out as they leap through tires, jump over hurdles and dive through tunnels. Courses typically have between 14-20 obstacles, which can include tunnels, weave poles, tire jumps, seesaws, and pause tables where the dog must stop for a set amount of time. Each trial features a unique course designed for that day. Dogs race around the courses, relying on the owner’s voice & movement cues, and body signals. Dogs run off leash, without the use of toys or food as motivators. Agility can be quite a rush – and a great way to build an even deeper bond between you and your dog.
Want to learn more about agility? Visit the AKC website
Agility Trial (Nat’l Specialty)
Day: ACKCSC will host Saturday 4/29, Sunday 4/30, Monday 5/1
Event Chair: Joan Williams
Judge: Courtney Moore
Secretary: Courtney Lannello – GameTime Secretary Services – GameTime Sec@gmail.com
FAST CAT
We are excited to offer Fast CAT in conjunction with the 2023 National Specialty ONSITE! 6 Trials in total! This will include formal Fast CAT competition runs, and also fun trial runs to see if your dog will run the course, time permitting. If you are not familiar with Fast CAT, more information may be found using the links below.
Although it is a relatively new sport, Fast CAT’s popularity has spread like wildfire. Fast CAT® provides a terrific opportunity to introduce new participants to the world of AKC sports. It is one of the few events where all that is needed to compete is a dog’s natural instincts. Fast CAT is a fast-paced, fun activity to watch and participate in!
What is the Fast CAT? Fast CAT is a timed straight 100‐yard dash for dogs. Dogs are held at the start line and the coursing lure is activated prompting the dog to follow chasing it to the finish line and into a catch pen. The course is completely fenced, and dogs are run individually. Dogs are timed when they complete the 100‐yard dash. The time is converted to Miles Per Hour (MPH).
Eligibility – To participate in Fast CAT®, your dog must be:
- At least 12 months of age.
- In both excellent physical and mental condition and up-to-date on all inoculations and health check-ups.
- Have an one of the following AKC numbers: AKC Registration, AKC Canine Partners, Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) program, or Foundation Stock Service®(FSS).
- Females in season may not enter. A dog may enter only once per event.
More information may be found here:
https://www.akc.org/sports/coursing/fast-cat/news/harnessing-dogs-instinct-chase/
https://www.akc.org/sports/coursing/fast-cat/
Watch the National Specialty website and Facebook page for more event information!
Date: Tuesday May 2, Wednesday May 3, Thursday May 4
Event Chair: Beci Markijohn
Secretary: Rachel Ragsdale – Speed Dog Coursing
speeddogcoursing@gmail.com
Canine Good Citizen Workshop & Testing
Note: CGC/Trick dog is sold out. Canine Good Citizen tests provide an opportunity for Cavalier owners to demonstrate the versatility of their dogs. In conformity with the Breed standard, they show that the dog is fearless and sporting in character, while gentle and affectionate. Cavaliers must demonstrate that they are gay, friendly, and non-aggressive, with no tendency towards nervousness or shyness. Bad temper, shyness, and meanness are not to be tolerated. These characteristics are tested by the CGC tests.
CGC and Advanced CGC Tests
Successful participants are eligible to order a certificate from AKC or may request an AKC title that will appear on AKC title records and may be listed as a suffix after the dog’s name. The schedule of the CGC Tests will be published with other Show events, and exhibitors will receive a notice of the running order for dogs before the day of the test.
More information about the AKC Canine Good Citizenship program can be found here: https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/
The ACKCSC will offer a hands-on workshop on Wednesday afternoon of Nationals Week (time to be determined) to teach the skills required for the CGC and Advanced CGC tests. For more information, click here
Date: Wednesday, May 3rd
Evaluator: Mary Morris & Sandy Averitt
Event Chair: Mary Morris
CGC Workshop
Note: CGC/Trick dog is sold out. Canine Good Citizen tests provide an opportunity for Cavalier owners to demonstrate the versatility of their dogs. In conformity with the Breed standard, they show that the dog is fearless and sporting in character, while gentle and affectionate. Cavaliers must demonstrate that they are gay, friendly, and non-aggressive, with no tendency towards nervousness or shyness. Bad temper, shyness, and meanness are not to be tolerated. These characteristics are tested by the CGC test.
CGC Workshop
The ACKCSC will offer a hands-on workshop to teach the skills required for the CGC and Advanced CGC tests. This workshop will allow participants to ask questions and observe procedures, to practice the necessary skills with their dogs, and to experience a performance setting with assistance on how to perform each test successfully. Canine Good Citizenship testing will be held on May 3rd.
More information about the AKC Canine Good Citizenship program can be found here: https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/
Date: May 3rd
Instructor: Sandy Averitt
Event Chair: Sandy Averitt
AKC TRICK DOG EVALUATION
Note: CGC/Trick dog is sold out. Do you and your dog love to be the life of the party by showing off his arsenal of tricks? Then he might be perfectly primed to earn AKC Trick Dog titles!
There are five AKC Trick Titles you and your dog can earn (listed below). We will only be offering all levels except Elite at this event: HANDLERS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN PROPS
- AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN) – Your dog performs 10 skills from the Novice list. (see link to “Application” below for lists of skills). If a dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, it can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the Novice title. See the list of tricks here.
- AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) – Your dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks. See the list of tricks here.
- AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) – Your dog must have the Intermediate title, plus perform 10 tricks from the Advanced list. See the list of tricks here.
- AKC Trick Dog Performer (TKP) – In this title, handlers perform a short routine with at least 10 tricks with at least 3 tricks using props. See the requirements here.
- AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer (TKE) – In the highest level of Trick Dog, the Elite Performers perform a routine that has a story/script. At least 5 props are used. See the requirements here.
More information about the AKC Trick Dog program can be found here: https://www.akc.org/sports/trick-dog/
Date: Wednesday May 3rd
Evaluator: Mary Morris
Event Chair: Mary Morris
