The Helena Montana Kennel Club is affiliated with the American Kennel Club. 

Our members are obligated to comply with the

AKC Code of Sportsmanship.

Our club brings several dog related events to our community each year ranging from competitive titling events to educational and training activities.  We try to keep the information on our WEB pages updated with information that will be helpful to you and your interest in the dog community.

The Fall Roundup Cluster  -  is a major AKC approved, 4 day event brought to you by the combined efforts of the Helena Montana Kennel Club and the Gallatin Kennel Club.  It is held at the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds in the main exhibition hall.  A large majority of the 180 plus AKC recognized breeds are represented at this cluster show.  This is a great opportunity to meet the breeds and the breeders.  There are also several vendors at our cluster who specialize dog related products   Spectators can enjoy the show for free but please leave your pet dog at home, only dogs entered in these shows and trials are permitted on the grounds.  Each day is a brand new event. 

  • Conformation -  While the dogs are beautifully groomed and may seem glamorous, the true purpose of conformation showing is to evaluate breeding stock. The dog’s conformation—the overall appearance and structure—is an indication of the dog’s ability to produce quality purebred puppies, and that is what is being judged in the ring. This is the event where the dogs earn points towards their championship titles.
  • Obedience Trials - This event is coupled with our Fall Roundup Cluster and is held in the main exhibit hall with the conformation show.  These trials showcase dogs that have been trained and conditioned to behave well at home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. AKC Obedience trials allow exhibitors and their dogs to enjoy companionship and competition as they earn legs towards AKC titles.
  • Rally Trials - This event is also coupled with our Fall Roundup Cluster and like obedience it is held in the main exhibit hall with the conformation show.  AKC Rally® is a companion sport to AKC Obedience. It requires teamwork between dog and handler along with performance skills similar to obedience.  This event utilizes signs to direct the skill to be executed, the course is different at each trial presenting a different set of challenges for the dog and handler. Rally provides an excellent and fun introduction to AKC events for new dogs and handlers.


Agility Trials - We put on two AKC Agility trials each year, they are held in the Multi-purpose building at the Lewis and Clark Fairground.  These events are for any dog that is registered with AKC including dogs with PAL/ILP registration numbers.  This event is exciting and fast paced where dogs run a course over jumps, teeter totters, dog walks, A-frames and through tunnels.  The course is designed to demonstrate a dog's willingness to work with his handler in a variety of situations. Dogs and handlers must negotiate an obstacle course while racing against the clock.  This is a sport of speed and skill requiring substantial training for both dog and handler.  Spectators are welcome to come and enjoy the show for free, be sure to bring a chair.  Please leave your pet dog at home, only dogs entered in these trials are permitted on the grounds.  Each day is a brand new event. 

Seminars - We occasionally bring experts in to hold seminars and/or lectures on a variety of subject ranging from conformation show skill, obedience training techniques to nutrition and health related topics.  We will post information on these learning opportunities when it is available.

 


 
Regional Dog Events
Many of our members travel to adjoining states to exhibit their dogs.  Here is a list of events that occur in areas of interest to our membership.  This list is updated periodically as new information becomes available.