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Our show is the Northern California Terrier Association (NCTA); I’m also Show Chair for Coyote Hills Kennel Club (CHKC).
NCTA is held before Sacramento Kennel Club in mid-April, in Lodi, California. CHKC is held in mid-May in Turlock, California.
For NCTA this year, I’m “back in the saddle,” but in the past… about 20 years off and on. I’ve been Show Chair for CHKC since 2021.
NCTA was founded to support the terriers. The year that AKC would allow Group clubs, we were one of the first, along with Great Western, in California.
CHKC has been around since the 1960s (I believe). None of the original people are still in the club. It is a small club. Since the 2020 Pandemic, we have gone from 1500-2000 entries to currently 500-600.
NCTA – The grounds, vendors (basically all income) is controlled by Sacramento KC. Our total income is from entries, but by the same token we pay for nothing except the sharing of a few expenses such as EMT staff.
CHKC is a little different. We are now back in a county fairground that has a park-like atmosphere, but it is located in the “valley” where most of the agriculture is. There is some backlash, but the town of Turlock, same as Lodi, is trying to improve their image and offer safe accommodations. CHKC started offering a package to vendors, as we had Specialties on two days and All-Breeds on two days, which is now cutting back to Specialties only on one day with them running back-to-back to save money. The package to vendors was the fee of $100 for all days, but if they did not break $100, their weekend is free. Now we are going to consider stating that vending is free anyway. We are lucky to get five vendors.
NCTA – The only activity that we do not offer is Pee Wee.
At CHKC, we offer all events, including Open Shows. We try to encourage youngsters as well as new people coming for the first time.
NCTA – We offer two days of Obedience and Rally. They represent about one-third of our entries/income. There’s no space for Agility, Fast CAT, Dock Diving, or any of the other Performance events.
CHKC – We would like to, but we are restricted by AKC and cannot hold Performance on Saturday as we are in conflict with an Oakland KC, which is in the Bay Area, while we are now in the Valley. We are too close by less than 10 miles. Turlock is about one hour south of Lodi. Since NCTA always has a nice turnout, we think CHKC would also have the same.
NCTA – We are always trying to find those judges who are supportive of terriers. We also try to use a few provisional judges, but we are heavy with handlers who do not like too many provisional judges.
CHKC – It is all about the money. We have to pay for our grounds, and so we do try to watch the cost. Also, I have an issue that I feel should be addressed. We are small (500-600 dogs) and should be able to get by with four judges, but because of the requirements set by AKC, it is impossible to offer Owner-Handled—but we do. The solution I have found is that I try not to have the same judge do the Breed and the Group. That way, I can use them elsewhere. I would like AKC to really look at this requirement. It made sense when we had large shows and more income. People come to our show because they do like what we offer. If the restriction did not apply to NOHS, it would be a tremendous help financially.
NCTA/CHKC – The best in the world! They belong to the Ring Steward Association. Obedience/Rally Stewards are hand-picked and may not belong. We have raised our payments to be equal, whether they are doing Obedience/Rally or Conformation.
In both clubs, our membership is old (I am 82). At the time of joining in the 1980s, people were not old. There was this mentality: Do we really want that person in our little club? Now it is coming home to roost. NCTA has more members, and most of them are still showing. If they obtain a 4- or 5-day free-parking pass, which is $10/day, they must agree to help at the show. It has worked. But outside of the show, there’s very little activity.
CHKC has only seven members, of which one is having some issues. We have an active member who is 90. It is extremely hard to find people who want to join, even though you try to suggest that it is fun to be around other dog people; but showing has become almost a rich man’s sport. You do what you can by encouraging people, but the current generation wants to do good for the environment and visit shelters, etc. We are open to suggestions on how to get the 30- or 40-year-old interested.
The challenge, no matter which show, is always being positive. No one likes the word NO. It sometimes feels like you are trying to herd cats and get them all going in the same direction, without the smirks. My greatest successes are dealing with people who are always willing to help come up with alternatives. I always go over to Obedience/Rally and thank them all for supporting, as it is opened up to all dogs. I was President of NCTA for over 20 years and we worked at making it a special Group Show and not turning it into another dog show. As a leader, it is not up to you to do all, but to listen to people. A suggestion may be said that you think is stupid, but when you try, it may work.
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