Specialty Details

HOST HOTEL
The host hotel for the 2003 National Specialty is the Allentown Days Inn and Conference Center, located at Routes 22 and 309. Address 1151 Bulldog Drive, Allentown, PA 18104. Phone 610.395.3731 or 888.395.5200. (Directions to the host hotel are on the Transportation page.)

Room rates $75.00/night; there are no per dog charges. You must phone to make your reservation, and you must specify you are with the Belgian Sheepdog Club. Internet reservations are not guaranteed the special rate. The Days Inn rooms are all ground floor, with individual climate control. Deluxe rooms are available. If you require special needs you must specify at time of reservation. The hotel has a restaurant and lounge on the premises, and offers a complimentary breakfast for guests. No bathing or grooming of dogs allowed in rooms. A designated dog wash and grooming area will be available. Please read the Hotel Show Rules.

The Days Inn is on 27 landscaped acres with plenty of open grassy areas to walk your Belgians. See a slideshow of the hotel grounds. For more information, visit the Days Inn web site.

SHOW SUPERINTENDENTS
Show superintendent for conformation and obedience is Jim Rau Dog Shows, LTD., PO Box 6898, Reading, PA 19610. Phone 610.376.1880. Fax 610.376.4939. Agility: superintendent Gail Shaw, Fast Times Agility, 125 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724-3008. Note: there will be a separate agility premium mailed to all BSCA members. Entry forms and secretary addresses for herding and tracking will be included in the main (Rau) premium. Premiums are scheduled to be mailed February 26th.

If you are not a BSCA member and would like a premium, contact Tina Bayer. Please indicate if you want Agility and/or the Breed, Obedience, Herding, Tracking premium.

CONFORMATION
Our judge for the regular classes is Michelle Billings. Sweeps judge is Laura Patton. Show superintendent is Jim Rau Dog Shows, LTD., PO Box 6898, Reading, PA 19610. Phone 610.376.1880. Fax 610.376.4939. Entries close April 9th. The judging program is now up. (This will take you to the Rau web site.)

All conformation will be held outdoors at the host hotel. (View a slideshow of the conformation site.) Sweeps will be held on Thursday, April 24th. Regular classes will be on Friday, April 25th and Saturday, April 26th.

OBEDIENCE
Judges for obedience are Phyllis Broderick for all the A classes, and Nancy Withers for the B classes. Superintendent is Jim Rau Dog Shows, LTD., PO Box 6898, Reading, PA 19610. Phone 610.376.1880. Fax 610.376.4939. Entries close April 9th.

Obedience will be held on Thursday, April 24th, at the host hotel. Rings will be outdoors on grass. View the obedience site photos.

AGILITY
Judge for the agility trial is Carol Mount. Agility superintendent is Gail Shaw, Fast Times Agility, 125 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724-3008. Note: there will be a separate agility premium mailed to all BSCA members.

Agility will be held Tuesday, April 22nd at the scenic Wehr Mill Dam Park, 2.5 miles north of the host hotel. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase on site. The trial will be for Belgian Sheepdogs only. Take a look at a slideshow of the agility site.

TRACKING
Tracking judges: Romaine Halupa and Janet Lewis. Entry forms and secretary addresses for tracking will be included in the main (Rau) premium. Tracking will be held on Tuesday, April 22nd at Blue Marsh State Park, 45 minutes SW of the host hotel.

HERDING
Judges for the herding trial are Gerard Baudet and Judith Kelly. Entry forms will be included in the main (Rau) premium. Herding secretary is Kristin Siarkowicz, 124 Fairview Ave., Bayport, NY 11705, 631-472-2149. Entries close April 2nd.

The herding tests, HIC, and trial will be held 45 minutes north of the host hotel at Raspberry Ridge Farm, in Bangor, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, April 23rd. The HIC will be held in the afternoon, after completion of the herding tests and trial. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase on site. View a slideshow of the herding site.

CGC/TDI
Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dogs International testing to be held Wednesday, April 23rd, at Wehr Mill Dam Park. Tester: Jackie Woehrle. For more information on CGC, visit the AKC's CGC page. The TDI web site has complete information on TDI testing. For directions to Wehr Mill Dam Park, see the Transportation page.

4-10 Lebanon County KC; Harrisburg, PA
4-11 Chambersburg Area KC; Harrisburg, PA
4-12 Harrisburg Area KC; Harrisburg, PA
4-13 Mason Dixon KC; Harrisburg, PA
4-14 and 4-15 Greater Fredericksburg KC; Fredericksburg, VA
4-16 to 4-18 TBA
4-19 Old Dominion KC of Northern VA; Leesburg, VA
4-20 Baltimore County KC; Timonium, MD
5-2 Delaware Water Gap KC; Harmony, NJ
5-3 Bucks County KC; Erwinna Park, PA
5-4 Trenton KC; West Windsor Township, NJ

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
We will have two educational seminars. On Wednesday evening, April 23rd, Dr. Donna Gigliotti, licensed chiropractor and Certified Animal Chiropractor, will speak on chiropractic for dogs. Thursday night, April 24th, our speaker will be Dr. Melissa Goodman DVM, reproductive specialist. Both seminars begin at 7PM and will be held in the Birch Room at the Days Inn.

MESSENGER DOG DEMONSTRATION
Try something new with your dog that is fun and exciting and involves very fast speeds. (Isn't that definition in the Belgian breed standard?) Join us for a demonstration of the various stages and components involved in Messenger Dog Trials, including carrying the messages in the wild, open spaces, tracking and searching, and obedience. You need to get involved in this! Demonstration and some fun introductory match runs will take place Wednesday afternoon, April 23rd at Wehr Mill Dam Park. Match runs will compete for certificates, prizes and qualifies your dog for a non-regular class for the Versatility Program. Check the final schedule for times. For further information, contact Sonja Ostrom at 303-455-0023 or sonja.ostrom@aimco.com.

Dr. Melissa Goodman DVM will be offering semen collections for freezing on Thursday afternoon. Estimated fee is $250, which covers consultation, collection, preparation and freezing, and 1st year's storage. (See the full details.) Bring your dogs' AKC registration papers and DNA certification (or this can be done at the show; see below). Contact Julie Cantrell for more information.

DNA testing will be offered. The AKC will provide test swabs and kits for the reduced price of $30 for AKC-registered Belgian Sheepdogs (this is a $10 savings over the normal rate). The reduced rate only applies to swabs sent in, as a batch, at the end of the specialty. You may pick up your swabs from Judy Johnstone, BSCA Health Chair, at the show site, or you can order them in advance from AKC. (Email DNA@AKC.org to order.) Payment is required at the time you submit your swabs. You may provide either a check made out to AKC for $30 per swab OR a slip (which comes with the swab kits) with your credit card information.

HOSPITALITY
Contact Bonnie Kreider if you can VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME to help keep the Hospitality Room open! Even if you can only spare a half hour, you will be helping make this Specialty a success for everyone. Please volunteer!

We are still seeking donations of items for our hospitality bags. For a printable donation request letter, click here. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the letter. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.)

A dog wash will be available. Shampoo will be available; please bring your own if using a special brand. Exhibitors using the dog wash must bring their own towels. ABSOLUTELY NO USE OF HOTEL TOWELS.

Dog food may be purchased at Pooch and Kitty Pet Supply, 4 miles from the host hotel. Pooch and Kitty carries most premium pet foods, including some natural foods.

TROPHY LIST AND DONATIONS
We are still in need of trophy donations, especially for Herding and Agility. For the printable trophy list and donation form, click here. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the letter. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.) If you need further assistance regarding trophies, please contact Bonnie Kreider.

FUNDRAISING
The Specialty T-Shirts and sweatshirts with the BSCA 2003 National Specialty logo are available by mail order for anyone who cannot attend the National. Prices for T's are $18.50 and Sweatshirts are $28.50. (View the shirts.) Contact Cher Teel for information.

RAFFLE / SILENT AUCTION
We are asking for your help in gathering items that we can offer. Please support your National by contacting your local pet stores, businesses, or any organizations that would be willing to donate items, and informing them of this wonderful opportunity to promote their products via hundreds of exhibitors throughout the United States and Canada. (You can remind them that for many businesses, donated items are tax-deductible.) All who donate items will be recognized for their generosity. Each item will carry a label with your name and kennel name, along with a brag if desired.

The specialty is fast approaching and while we already have many wonderful items, we are asking for your continued support to make our auction a great success. If you need further information, please contact Sherry Hanley. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

A printable printable raffle donation form is now online. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the letter. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.)

Attention all Belgian Shoppers! Vanes and Things makes weather vanes and other breed-silhouette gifts for the home and garden. Since they couldn't attend our National, Vanes and Things has donated two lovely items for our auction. They are also offering a 20% discount on any Belgian item ordered through the specialty. To take advantage of this great offer, go to the Vanes and Things website and remember to tell them you are with the 2003 BSCA National Specialty to get your discount!

CATALOG SALES
$5 per catalog at the show. There will be no pre-sales of catalogs. Contact Judy Hoffman. Marked catalogs will be available for $10 from the BSCA Store. For information or to order, contact Karin Andreen at kandreen@netzero.net or 763.425.3236.

ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
The awards banquet will be on Saturday night, April 26th, following the Parade of Champions. Menu will include beef, chicken, and seafood. Cost $30. Reservations due by April 9th. A printable menu and reservation form is now online. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the letter. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.)

VENDORS
Those wishing to sell items at the National: a 10' x10' space is $50 for four days. Deadline to reserve space is April 1st. Please note: You will also need a permit to sell merchandise on the Days Inn premises. Permit fee is $10; deadline to apply is April 2nd. (Forms will be provided to you after you send your $50 vendor fee.) A printable vendor application/contract is now online. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the letter. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.) For questions or assistance, contact Charlene Mascuch.

PRE-SPECIALTY INFO BOOKLET
The online, printable pre-specialty information booklet is now available! Click here to go to the booklet. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the booklet. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.) Please note: No booklets will be automatically mailed to BSCA members. If you are unable to open or print the file, please contact Barb Trezza to request that a pre-specialty info booklet be printed and mailed to you.


		SPECIALTY DETAILS Host Hotel \| Specialty Committee \| Show Superintendents \| Conformation \| Obedience \| Agility \| Tracking \| Herding \| CGC/TDI \| Other Area Shows \| Seminars \| Messenger Dog Demo \|Semen Collection and DNA Testing \| Hospitality \| Trophy List and Donations \| Fundraising \| Catalog Ads \| Catalog Sales \| Awards \| Banquet \| Raffle / Silent Auction \| Vendors \| Pre-Specialty Info Booklet HOST HOTEL The host hotel for the 2003 National Specialty is the Allentown Days Inn and Conference Center, located at Routes 22 and 309. Address 1151 Bulldog Drive, Allentown, PA 18104. Phone 610.395.3731 or 888.395.5200. (Directions to the host hotel are on the Transportation page.) Room rates $75.00/night; there are no per dog charges. You must phone to make your reservation, and you must specify you are with the Belgian Sheepdog Club. Internet reservations are not guaranteed the special rate. The Days Inn rooms are all ground floor, with individual climate control. Deluxe rooms are available. If you require special needs you must specify at time of reservation. The hotel has a restaurant and lounge on the premises, and offers a complimentary breakfast for guests. No bathing or grooming of dogs allowed in rooms. A designated dog wash and grooming area will be available. Please read the Hotel Show Rules. The Days Inn is on 27 landscaped acres with plenty of open grassy areas to walk your Belgians. See a slideshow of the hotel grounds. For more information, visit the Days Inn web site. SPECIALTY COMMITTEE Co-Chairs: Barbara Swisher, Sherry Hanley Consultant: Ira Breines Agility: Tina Bayer and Peg Antrobus (co-chairs) Banquet: Joanne Hascek Booths, Vendors: Charlene Mascuch Catalog Ads: Olga Baram, Barb Trezza Catalog Sales: Judy Hoffman CGC/TDI Testing: Jackie Woehrle Chief Ring Stewards: Obedience: Olga and Nathan Baram, Susan Spinhirne; Conformation: Duane and Connie Butherus Dinner Reservations: Joanne Hascek Educational and Special Events: Julie Cantrell (chair) Herding and HIC Testing: Lynn Eckhardt (chair) Hospitality: Bonnie and Stan Kreider Pre-Specialty Information Booklet: Julie Cantrell Obedience: Linda Madeira Publicity: Olga and Nathan Baram Raffle and Silent Auction: Sherry Hanley RV Parking: Dave Butler Superintendent Consultant (Building, grounds, and equipment): Stan Kreider Tracking: Megan Lloyd Thompson Trophies: Bonnie Kreider Web site: Julie Cantrell Welcome Bags: Joanne Hascek SHOW SUPERINTENDENTS Show superintendent for conformation and obedience is Jim Rau Dog Shows, LTD., PO Box 6898, Reading, PA 19610. Phone 610.376.1880. Fax 610.376.4939. Agility: superintendent Gail Shaw, Fast Times Agility, 125 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724-3008. Note: there will be a separate agility premium mailed to all BSCA members. Entry forms and secretary addresses for herding and tracking will be included in the main (Rau) premium. Premiums are scheduled to be mailed February 26th. If you are not a BSCA member and would like a premium, contact Tina Bayer. Please indicate if you want Agility and/or the Breed, Obedience, Herding, Tracking premium. CONFORMATION Our judge for the regular classes is Michelle Billings. Sweeps judge is Laura Patton. Show superintendent is Jim Rau Dog Shows, LTD., PO Box 6898, Reading, PA 19610. Phone 610.376.1880. Fax 610.376.4939. Entries close April 9th. The judging program is now up. (This will take you to the Rau web site.) All conformation will be held outdoors at the host hotel. (View a slideshow of the conformation site.) Sweeps will be held on Thursday, April 24th. Regular classes will be on Friday, April 25th and Saturday, April 26th. For directions to the host hotel, see the Transportation page. OBEDIENCE Judges for obedience are Phyllis Broderick for all the A classes, and Nancy Withers for the B classes. Superintendent is Jim Rau Dog Shows, LTD., PO Box 6898, Reading, PA 19610. Phone 610.376.1880. Fax 610.376.4939. Entries close April 9th. Obedience will be held on Thursday, April 24th, at the host hotel. Rings will be outdoors on grass. View the obedience site photos. For directions to the host hotel, see the Transportation page. AGILITY Judge for the agility trial is Carol Mount. Agility superintendent is Gail Shaw, Fast Times Agility, 125 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724-3008. Note: there will be a separate agility premium mailed to all BSCA members. Agility will be held Tuesday, April 22nd at the scenic Wehr Mill Dam Park, 2.5 miles north of the host hotel. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase on site. The trial will be for Belgian Sheepdogs only. Take a look at a slideshow of the agility site. For directions to Wehr Mill Dam Park, see the Transportation page. TRACKING Tracking judges: Romaine Halupa and Janet Lewis. Entry forms and secretary addresses for tracking will be included in the main (Rau) premium. Tracking will be held on Tuesday, April 22nd at Blue Marsh State Park, 45 minutes SW of the host hotel. For directions to the tracking site, see the Transportation page. HERDING Judges for the herding trial are Gerard Baudet and Judith Kelly. Entry forms will be included in the main (Rau) premium. Herding secretary is Kristin Siarkowicz, 124 Fairview Ave., Bayport, NY 11705, 631-472-2149. Entries close April 2nd. The herding tests, HIC, and trial will be held 45 minutes north of the host hotel at Raspberry Ridge Farm, in Bangor, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, April 23rd. The HIC will be held in the afternoon, after completion of the herding tests and trial. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase on site. View a slideshow of the herding site. For directions to the herding site, see the Transportation page. CGC/TDI Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dogs International testing to be held Wednesday, April 23rd, at Wehr Mill Dam Park. Tester: Jackie Woehrle. For more information on CGC, visit the AKC's CGC page. The TDI web site has complete information on TDI testing. For directions to Wehr Mill Dam Park, see the Transportation page. OTHER AREA SHOWS The following area shows may be of interest to exhibitors: 4-10 Lebanon County KC; Harrisburg, PA 4-11 Chambersburg Area KC; Harrisburg, PA 4-12 Harrisburg Area KC; Harrisburg, PA 4-13 Mason Dixon KC; Harrisburg, PA 4-14 and 4-15 Greater Fredericksburg KC; Fredericksburg, VA 4-16 to 4-18 TBA 4-19 Old Dominion KC of Northern VA; Leesburg, VA 4-20 Baltimore County KC; Timonium, MD 5-2 Delaware Water Gap KC; Harmony, NJ 5-3 Bucks County KC; Erwinna Park, PA 5-4 Trenton KC; West Windsor Township, NJ EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS We will have two educational seminars. On Wednesday evening, April 23rd, Dr. Donna Gigliotti, licensed chiropractor and Certified Animal Chiropractor, will speak on chiropractic for dogs. Thursday night, April 24th, our speaker will be Dr. Melissa Goodman DVM, reproductive specialist. Both seminars begin at 7PM and will be held in the Birch Room at the Days Inn. MESSENGER DOG DEMONSTRATION Try something new with your dog that is fun and exciting and involves very fast speeds. (Isn't that definition in the Belgian breed standard?) Join us for a demonstration of the various stages and components involved in Messenger Dog Trials, including carrying the messages in the wild, open spaces, tracking and searching, and obedience. You need to get involved in this! Demonstration and some fun introductory match runs will take place Wednesday afternoon, April 23rd at Wehr Mill Dam Park. Match runs will compete for certificates, prizes and qualifies your dog for a non-regular class for the Versatility Program. Check the final schedule for times. For further information, contact Sonja Ostrom at 303-455-0023 or sonja.ostrom@aimco.com. SEMEN COLLECTION and DNA TESTING Dr. Melissa Goodman DVM will be offering semen collections for freezing on Thursday afternoon. Estimated fee is $250, which covers consultation, collection, preparation and freezing, and 1st year's storage. (See the full details.) Bring your dogs' AKC registration papers and DNA certification (or this can be done at the show; see below). Contact Julie Cantrell for more information. DNA testing will be offered. The AKC will provide test swabs and kits for the reduced price of $30 for AKC-registered Belgian Sheepdogs (this is a $10 savings over the normal rate). The reduced rate only applies to swabs sent in, as a batch, at the end of the specialty. You may pick up your swabs from Judy Johnstone, BSCA Health Chair, at the show site, or you can order them in advance from AKC. (Email DNA@AKC.org to order.) Payment is required at the time you submit your swabs. You may provide either a check made out to AKC for $30 per swab OR a slip (which comes with the swab kits) with your credit card information. HOSPITALITY Contact Bonnie Kreider if you can VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME to help keep the Hospitality Room open! Even if you can only spare a half hour, you will be helping make this Specialty a success for everyone. Please volunteer! We are still seeking donations of items for our hospitality bags. For a printable donation request letter, click here. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the letter. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.) A dog wash will be available. Shampoo will be available; please bring your own if using a special brand. Exhibitors using the dog wash must bring their own towels. ABSOLUTELY NO USE OF HOTEL TOWELS. Dog food may be purchased at Pooch and Kitty Pet Supply, 4 miles from the host hotel. Pooch and Kitty carries most premium pet foods, including some natural foods. TROPHY LIST AND DONATIONS We are still in need of trophy donations, especially for Herding and Agility. For the printable trophy list and donation form, click here. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the letter. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.) If you need further assistance regarding trophies, please contact Bonnie Kreider. FUNDRAISING The Specialty T-Shirts and sweatshirts with the BSCA 2003 National Specialty logo are available by mail order for anyone who cannot attend the National. Prices for T's are $18.50 and Sweatshirts are $28.50. (View the shirts.) Contact Cher Teel for information. For other fundraising questions, contact Sherry Hanley or Mike Eremus. RAFFLE / SILENT AUCTION We are asking for your help in gathering items that we can offer. Please support your National by contacting your local pet stores, businesses, or any organizations that would be willing to donate items, and informing them of this wonderful opportunity to promote their products via hundreds of exhibitors throughout the United States and Canada. (You can remind them that for many businesses, donated items are tax-deductible.) All who donate items will be recognized for their generosity. Each item will carry a label with your name and kennel name, along with a brag if desired. The specialty is fast approaching and while we already have many wonderful items, we are asking for your continued support to make our auction a great success. If you need further information, please contact Sherry Hanley. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT! View some of our feature raffle and silent auction items! A printable printable raffle donation form is now online. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the letter. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.) Attention all Belgian Shoppers! Vanes and Things makes weather vanes and other breed-silhouette gifts for the home and garden. Since they couldn't attend our National, Vanes and Things has donated two lovely items for our auction. They are also offering a 20% discount on any Belgian item ordered through the specialty. To take advantage of this great offer, go to the Vanes and Things website and remember to tell them you are with the 2003 BSCA National Specialty to get your discount! CATALOG ADS Catalog ads will be $30 per ad with picture, $25 without picture. Contact Olga Baram or Barb Trezza. CATALOG SALES $5 per catalog at the show. There will be no pre-sales of catalogs. Contact Judy Hoffman. Marked catalogs will be available for $10 from the BSCA Store. For information or to order, contact Karin Andreen at kandreen@netzero.net or 763.425.3236. AWARDS TBA ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET The awards banquet will be on Saturday night, April 26th, following the Parade of Champions. Menu will include beef, chicken, and seafood. Cost $30. Reservations due by April 9th. A printable menu and reservation form is now online. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the letter. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.) VENDORS Those wishing to sell items at the National: a 10' x10' space is $50 for four days. Deadline to reserve space is April 1st. Please note: You will also need a permit to sell merchandise on the Days Inn premises. Permit fee is $10; deadline to apply is April 2nd. (Forms will be provided to you after you send your $50 vendor fee.) A printable vendor application/contract is now online. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the letter. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.) For questions or assistance, contact Charlene Mascuch. PRE-SPECIALTY INFO BOOKLET The online, printable pre-specialty information booklet is now available! Click here to go to the booklet. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the booklet. If you don't have it, you can download it for free.) Please note: No booklets will be automatically mailed to BSCA members. If you are unable to open or print the file, please contact Barb Trezza to request that a pre-specialty info booklet be printed and mailed to you. HOME \| SCHEDULE \| LOCAL INFORMATION \| TRANSPORTATION

SPECIALTY DETAILS