Kennel Club hosts Fun Match

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – With the emphasis on ‘fun,’ the Central Aroostook Kennel Club will be hosting a Fun Match for dogs and handlers on Sunday, August 5, at Riverside Park in Presque Isle.  The public and their dogs are encouraged to come and watch as well as participate in the day’s events.
According to Match Chairman Mel Berube, a Fun Match is an opportunity to try out breed showing, obedience trials,\ or an agility run in a low-stress, relaxed environment.
“We want the novice just like we want the experienced exhibitor. This might be their first time to show or compete with their dog,” said Berube.
Registration will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. with various activities offered concurrently throughout the day.
The Fun Match begins at 9:30 a.m. with two informal agility runs on courses of tunnels and hoops designed by Tracy Snow-Cormier.
Breed classes, including those specifically for puppies, will begin at 10:45 a.m. Junior handlers between the ages of 8 and 18 are especially encouraged to participate.
“This is a great experience for children in scouts or 4-H to work with their dogs,” said Berube.
Breed judges are Crystal Boone of Lincoln and Lucy Richard of Presque Isle.
Obedience competition begins at 11 a.m. with classes in Utility, Open, Novice and Pre-Novice. Rally-O Open and Novice classes take place immediately after Obedience. Judges are June Hopper of Fredericton, New Brunswick and Mary Thompson of Brewer.
The fee for the Fun Match is $6 per dog and $3 for each additional class or run with the same dog.
“It’s not a competition as much as it is training — you train your dog and train yourself. Everybody’s there to learn.”
For information about the Central Aroostook Kennel Club Fun Match please contact Berube at 764-1259 or melton8@verizon.net or visit the club’s Web site at www.thecakc.com.