WHO ARE WE?

     The members of the Nor-Cal Keeshond Club, Inc., are people who own or are interested in the Keeshond (pronounced “kaze-hawnd”).  We are dedicated to encouraging, protecting, and promoting responsible ownership and breeding of purebred Keeshonden to bring their natural qualities to perfection.  We urge members when breeding their Keeshonden to accept and abide by the Standard of the Keeshond breed as approved by the American Kennel Club (AKC).  We require members to adhere to the Breeder's Code of Ethics, as formulated by the Keeshond Club of America (KCA) when breeding and selling Keeshonden.

WHERE ARE WE?

     The members of Nor-Cal reside mainly in Northern California, ranging from as far south as Pacific Grove to as far north as Red Bluff.  We also have members in Colorado, Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas and Nevada.  Meetings are held at various members’ homes, parks, dog shows or restaurants throughout the area.

WHAT DO WE DO?

     Nor-Cal holds General membership meetings every other month: January, March, May, July, September, and November.  The Board of Directors holds meetings in the alternate months and in this age of the Internet, is beginning to hold meetings via email and chat.  The meetings cover all Club business, there are sometimes information programs, and we usually share a potluck meal.  We stress both the doggy  “business” and the “social” atmosphere.  Once a year we hold a Keeshond Agility Play Day for all interested Keeshond owners.  Agility instruction is provided for those who have not tried it yet, and the more experienced agility folks get to have fun running their dogs. Our members do not have to be breeders or dog show exhibitors to gain something from Club membership.   After all, we’re all companion dog owners first and foremost!   We have many members that are involved in Rescue, either actively or having given a rescued Keeshond a new, loving forever home.

     Nor-Cal puts on one or two AKC sanctioned Specialty Dog Shows a year for Keeshonden. Currently, the Specialty is held in February in conjunction with the Santa Clara Valley Kennel Club of San Jose's show weekend.   Nor-Cal also sponsors a yearly All Breed Obedience and Conformation Workshop in July or August.  This event is our main fundraiser and is currently being held at the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo.  It has been a great success for us for many years and we are well known for putting on a great workshop.  Our Club members spend a long, but fun day setting up, judging, stewarding, and even competing!  We top it all off with our club meeting and a wonderful potluck lunch.

     Nor-Cal members are active in Keeshond Rescue throughout our service area by finding, retrieving, caring for and placing lost or abandoned Keeshonden.  While rescue is not directly a part of the Club, several Club members who gladly perform this worthy humanitarian service year-round are supported by Club members when assistance is needed in their work.  

     Many Nor-Cal members are breeders.  Several have gained national recognition through their successful breeding and showing records.  They are always willing to share their knowledge and experience with newcomers for the continuing improvement of the breed.  Training and grooming advice is gladly given, along with encouragement for novices in conformation, obedience, agility and Rally exhibiting.

     Once a year our parent organization, the Keeshond Club of America (KCA) holds a National Specialty dog show for Keeshonden only. A local club hosts the event and also holds a Specialty under their club name, which results in two or more shows for Keeshond exhibitors from across the country.  There are hundreds of Keeshonden present and it is quite a sight!   Once in a while, Nor-Cal will host this event and we need all members to participate in some capacity.

WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR MEMBER’S?

     We encourage Nor-Cal members to be active in the Club.  We welcome members who can add their special skills to our group by serving on committees, or by serving as an officer of the Club.  We have a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, plus a Board of three members.  Each officer serves one year.

     Any member can be elected to serve as an officer if the member has attended at least two Club functions during the previous year.  A nominating committee is appointed toward the end of the year, and it is their charge to identify those eligible members who want to serve.  Once a slate is set the members vote at our Annual Awards Dinner held in January.

     Any member who finishes a recognized title on their Keeshond during the previous year will be presented with an award by Nor-Cal at our Annual Awards Dinner.

     The Club maintains an Internet email list at Yahoogroups for Club members only to expedite communication and share information.

     Nor-Cal has a member represent the Club in the Sacramento Council of Dog Clubs. The Sacramento Council of Dog Clubs is a coalition of AKC breed, all-breed, and training clubs, each represented by a delegate at bi-monthly meetings. The Council addresses issues affecting the dog fancy, including legislation, ethics, and education. Breed showcases, an annual symposium for dog breeders, and information on breed rescue resources are an integral part of their educational efforts.  

     We have a corresponding Secretary who keeps the Keeshond Club Of America advised of Nor-Cal’s happenings.

     We have an editor for our Club newsletter, “Kee Korner”.  The editor compiles materials sent in, adds additional information of interest to our membership, prepares the layout, and arranges for printing and mailing of the newsletters.  Currently, Kee Korner comes out bi-monthly.

     We also have appointed committee chairs that oversee certain subjects throughout the year, such as trophies, hearts and flowers, membership, hospitality, etc.  Other chairs have responsibility for a project until it is completed, such as the Specialty Show Chairperson.

WHAT ARE A MEMBERS RESPONSIBILITIES?

     We require Nor-Cal members to adhere to the KCA Code of Ethics, as previously discussed, as well as urge them to follow the Breed Standard as closely as possible.

     We ask that members attend as many meetings as possible and participate in those meetings.  The more ideas we have the better the Club will be!

     If possible, we ask that members volunteer to host a meeting occasionally (no more than once a year), so the meetings are not always in the same area.

     We occasionally have fundraisers where both goods and time can be volunteered.

     We ask for participation in committee assignments to give all members a chance for dog-world experience.  This will prepare members to serve as Club officers, if they wish.

HOW DO I JOIN NOR-CAL?

     Your contact in Nor-Cal will keep you advised of our meetings.  We ask that you come to a minimum of one meeting so that you can evaluate the Club and decide if you really want to be an active member.  It will also give the Club members a chance to say hello and answer your questions.

     Once you know you want to join, your contact in Nor-Cal can get you an application, or you can download it from this website.  You will fill out the application, sign the Code of Ethics, obtain your Nor-Cal sponsor’s signatures, and send it to the membership chairperson shown on the application.

     Your application will be read by the membership chairperson at the next general membership meeting after it is received.  Once that has been done, and you have attended at least two Club functions, your application will be voted on at the next General Membership meeting.  Once approved, your name goes on the membership list and that’s when the fun, camaraderie and learning begins!