By ANNIE DOCKERY
The Belton Journal
Belton is among the latest places for American Kennel Club (AKC) Fast Coursing Ability Test (CAT) Trials.
The Bearded Collie Club of America together with the Bearded Collie Club of Texas might be holding the family-friendly occasion April 26-28, at Harris Community Center, 401 N. Alexander in Belton.
Gretchen S. Blackburn, President of, the Bearded Collie Club of Texas mentioned, “We’re excited to bring this dog sport to Belton and hope to create a fun-filled environment for residents to meet many different dog breeds and watch or participate in our races. Belton has been home to AKC-sponsored dog shows at the Bell County Expo Center for many years.”
Despite having the phrase “CAT” within the title, dogs are NOT chasing cats.
Fast CAT is among the fastest-growing sports activities the place dogs of all sizes compete to see who can run the quickest in a 100-yard sprint.
During Fast CAT, the dogs run to their proprietor on the finish of the course. They might be chasing a white plastic bag that has been hooked up to a mechanical lure. The lure has a movable line above the bottom that makes the bag transfer shortly down the sphere. This evokes their prey drive, which inspires them to run sooner.
“It’s a “rain or shine” occasion, so we run our dogs within the rain except there’s a downpour and lightning. Otherwise, we wait it out and begin again when the rain lightens up,” Blackburn mentioned. “Our event will give people a chance to see what this sport is all about and find out how to get their dog registered with AKC for future events.”
Mixed-breed, unregistered, or dogs whose breed has not but been acknowledged by the AKC can take part. They will must be registered with AKC. The course of can take as much as three to 4 weeks to get the canine’s accredited AKC quantity from the American Kennel Club. For moreinformation about registering your canine go to akc.org/register/canine/
Blackburn mentioned, “There are four categories in which to register: 1) Register as Purebred Dog (Dog was purchased from a breeder/another party) 2) Enroll a dog in AKC Canine Partners (For mixed breeds and non-AKC registrable purebreds) 3) Enroll a Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL) (For purebred dogs of AKC-registrable breeds not eligible for full registration. i.e. rescued purebred dogs) A PAL is not the equivalent of AKC registration but makes it possible for eligible breeds to compete in events such as Obedience, Agility, Rally and more. 4) Foundation Stock Service (FSS)(select breeds that are in the process of AKC recognition. Among the more well-known breeds in FSS are the Catahoula Leopard Dog, the American Bulldog, and the Jindo.”
If you don’t obtain your canine’s quantity in time for April’s occasion, they plan to host one other competitors in September.
The competitors will embrace quite a lot of dogs. Attendees are welcome to go to with the exhibitors.
“Our hope is to make this a family-fun event for spectators to bring their lawn chairs and cheer on their favorite dog. Watching the variety of dog breeds that are having a blast chasing a white plastic bag is exciting and sometimes humorous,” Blackburn mentioned.
She continued, “We’re featuring our beloved breed the Bearded Collie in our “MEET THE BREED” tent at this occasion. We’ll have informational handouts and loads of Beardies of all ages to pet and go to with.”
An excellent variety of exhibitors are anticipated on the competitors, coming from the Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston areas.
The Bearded Collie Club of Texas likes to present again to the communities the place they host FastCAT occasions, and might be gathering donations for the Bell County Animal Shelter and current the shelter with these wanted objects from their “wishlist” after the occasion closes.
If Belton residents wish to contribute an merchandise or extra to the shelter, their Amazon wishlist hyperlink is: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MDVR8PFU30JK?ref_=wl_share.
To be taught extra in regards to the upcoming occasion, contact Gretchen Blackburn at 512-914-4990 or e-mail [email protected].
