Page 33 - Online Spring 2022 Newsletter

got straight onto Geraldine for I was bowled over to receive the
clarification. Thanks to her Platinum Award first go however that
encouragement and speed I joined was only possible because in our first
the club, entered the Versatility year, by trying out Brody’s talents,
Awards in the nick of time, and was we happened to have participated
THRILLED to gain the top ‘Platinum’ in four of the different awardable
Award which days before I hadn’t disciplines at beginner levels. Another
even heard of!! year, as we progress, we will need to
work harder to qualify for a Bronze
So, what exactly are these “Versatility
or Silver. One of the beauties of
Awards”? Little known, relatively
new, and not a Kennel Club initiative, these Versatility Awards is that they
a number of breed clubs now offer are so flexible that new or lesser
them. The Versatility Awards are known activities can also be
wonderfully inclusive of all levels and considered. You do not need to be
doggy activities. The idea is to be the best or to win to gain points. You
more inclusive of many more dogs can earn from attendance, or coming
within a breed club; to encourage you in the top 7, for example, but the
to progress with your dog and to higher your achievement in any
diversify. Awards are given to activity the more points you gain.
anyone who achieves a certain The closing date for each year’s
number of points over at least two or entries is 30 January. So now you
more disciplines within the year. It have a year to get involved, try
is not competitive, but rather you can something new or maybe you are
earn Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum already doing enough to qualify for a
Awards according to your own activity Versatility Award? See the Versatility
and achievement level in any one Awards page on the Club’s website
year; you start afresh each year from for more:
keeshondclub.co.uk/home/the-
the level you are at. You can earn
points for achievements in a wide versatility-awards/
range of I think you will agree – a Kees is not
activities ‘just another dog’. I want to
and levels encourage others to get to know and
- from a own this stunning breed too. I just
novice at never thought I’d be the only Kees on
local the circuit – in my town, in my city,
Competit- in any dog club, competition or event
ions, to I attend. While the novelty is quite
Crufts nice actually I don’t like being the
Wins. only Kees owner around. It’s lonely!
Currently If we keep these stunning, adoring,
the intelligent, highly trainable, incredibly
disciplines capable and most joyful of human
included companions, to ourselves - what a
in the waste. And we risk losing them.
Versatility Awards table are: Fun dog We want to attract pet Kees owners,
to give them something to join the
shows, Therapy dog activities, Good
Citizen Dog Scheme, Rally, Heelwork Kees club for, right? Let’s welcome
to Music, Agility, Obedience as well pet owners and give them a reason
as Breed Shows and Crufts. 33 to want to be in touch with us. As a
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