Golden Retriever Sports | Kansas City Golden Retriever Club (2024)

Agility trials have become the fastest growing dog performance sportinthe past decade. Running a dog in an agility trial is a fast and fun game for you and your dog and it is nearly as exciting for spectators as well!

Golden Retrievers generally do well in this sport because of the willing and active nature of the breed. Agility trials demonstrate a dog’s agile nature and versatility by following cues from the handler through a timed obstacle course of jumps, tunnels, weave poles and other objects. It’s an activity that strengthens the bond between dog and handler and provides fun and exercise for both team members.

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KCGRC’s history with AKC Agility

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• 1995 Club hosted its first agility trial in connection with the Golden Retriever Club of America’s Central Regional Specialty in Lawrence KS.

• Club hosts an Annual All-Breed Fall Agility Trial Weekend (Indoors).

• Trials are also hosted by other clubs in KC Metro such as Wheatstate Agility, Agility Ability Club of Greater Kansas City, and Greater Kansas City Dog Training Club.

While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not.In conformation competition, your Golden is judged in the ring against other Goldens and how closely your dog conforms to the breed standard. General appearance, size, color, and other criteria are used to determine the winner. Quite often dog shows can be seen on television such as the highly acclaimed Westminster Dog Show.

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KCGRC's History with AKC Conformation

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• 1986 Club hosted its first conformation show

• Club hosts annual multipleshow Specialties, generally the third weekend of June

• Tosearch for shows by region go to AKC.org

The Golden Retriever breed is classified in the Sporting Group, and is considered a gun dog.Goldenstrained in the field retrieve game birds downed by their human hunter companion. In field competition, the Golden is judged on how well the dog marks the fall of the bird at a distance, how well it finds the bird and returns to the handler, andhow responsive it is tothe hunter’s directionalcommands, whether from the field, or from water.

Retrievers are one of the most versatile breeds around. Their natural instinct to retrieve (anything) but specifically birds make up their drive to please. They are not only useful for hunters but for families and professionals in many ways.

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KCGRC'S History with Field/WC/WCX

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• 1981 Club hosted its firstWC/WCXTrial.

• Club hosts an all retriever breedWC/WCXTrial in the Fall.

• CheckAKC.orgfor trial dates and locationsby region.

Training begins as soon as you bring your Golden home for the first time.Owners should consider some form of obedience and manners training. Since Goldens love to learn, their training can progress beyond the basic sit, stay, heel commands, to the Obedience Trial ring.

Developed in the 1930's, Obedience is one of the oldest sporting events. From walking on and off-leash to retrieving and jumping, or demonstrating your dog’s ability to stay, Obedience trials feature dogs that are well-behaved at home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs.

Whether or not you want to compete, it’s the best way to establish good communication skills between you and your Golden.

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KCGRC's History with AKC Obedience

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• Clubhosted its first Obediencetrial in connection with its Its firstSpecialty in Kansas City MO in1983.

• Club hosts twoAnnualAll-BreedObedienceTrialeach year, generally the third weekend of June.

• Check AKC.orgfor show dates and locations by region.

Tracking is the competition form of search and rescue.Goldensare excellent tracking dogs. A track is laid out for the Golden to follow using a scented item. The dog then follows the scent to one or more article items. Track length isbetween440 to 900 yards and the track is aged between a minimum of30 minutes and up to 5 hours.

You and your dog followa path to findarticle(s) dropped along the track. There’s no time limit as long as your dog is “working.” They are judged on their ability to stay on the track and find all the articles left by the tracklayer. Tracking requires very little equipment. You need a harness, a 20-to-40 foot lead, some items to drop, anda few flags to mark your track. Initially you traininopen grassy area free of obstacles and progressto crossingroads, ditches or woods.

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KCGRC's History with AKC Tracking

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• 1995 the Club hosted it’s firstAKCTracking Trial.

• Clubgenerallyhosts anAnnualAll-Breed Tracking Test and TrackingExcellentTesteach winter.

• Instructional classes are available in the KC Metro area.

• Check AKC.orgfor tracking dates by region.

Started in 2005, AKC Rally is a fun family sport and participation increases each year. It’s a perfect starting point for those who are new to canine sports as AKC Rally provides a challenging introduction to all AKC Companion Events for dogs and handlers to strengthen their skills. 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.

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KCGRC's History with AKC Rally

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• Club hosts two All-Breed Rally Trials each year, generally the first weekend of March and thethird weekend of June.

• Classes and trials in the KC Metro are hosted by other clubs such as GKCDTC.org or check AKC.com for show dates and locations by region

• Check AKC.org for Rally dates by region.

Dock/Diving Dogs is a fun, exciting but easy to do sport with simple rules: You throw your golden’s favorite toy into a pool while he waits on a dock about 40 feet long. On your command, he runs along the dock, flings himself off the end of it, lands in the water and grabs his toy. The goal is to have the longest jump possible, which could be as short as two feet for beginners, but could be as much as 30 feet for those more experienced! Sound like your golden?

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No matter how far your golden jumps, you’re guaranteed to have a blast – and you may get a little wet! Diving Dogs is a great activity to share with your best friend! For more information about Diving Dogs and getting involved in your local area, please visit NADD. There you can learn more about Diving Dogs events in your area, diving facilities and more!

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KCGRC's History with AKC Dock Diving

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• Club is not currently hosting an event in this sport – other clubs in the KC Metro do offer training and sporting events.