Events

Regular Club Meetings These are generally held bi-monthly. They are open to club members and other interested Westie owners. We have two types of meetings: Meeting with Demonstration or Training - Our Westies attend these, too!!! Meeting with Social Event - These are generally held at venues where animals are not allowed or appropriate.
Annual Election Brunch	Generally held the second weekend of January, this is a non-dog event at which we celebrate the past year's activities, winners and relationships. It is also the meeting at which we elect officers for the new calendar year.
Westie Waterbowl	The club does not hold meetings every month, but members still like to get together to talk about our charges. The Waterbowl is an unofficial meeting of both members and non-members that is usually held at a restaurant in non-meeting months. Because the membership is so widespread, the location varies.
Canine Good Citizen & Therapy Dogs	Some of our club members are certified as "Canine Good Citizens" & "Therapy Dogs". Occasionally members get together to visit nursing homes, hospitals, etc.
AKC Sanctioned Events
Sanctioned Conformation & Obedience Matches	Matches are held to give members the experience of and practice in competition; they are run as a Dog Show or Obedience Trial but on a smaller scale. Training during the match is allowed.
Annual Specialty Show	Our club has hosted an Annual Specialty Dog Show and Puppy Sweepstakes for over 30 years. Currently, it is held in conjunction with the Great Lakes All Terrier Association on the third weekend in June at the Lake County Fair Grounds in Grayslake, IL.
Earth Dog Test	Our first Earth Dog test was held September 4, 2000. Since then we have held our tests on the Monday of Labor Day Weekend. Ours is the third test in a 3-day weekend where the Saturday & Sunday events are sponsored by the Madison Area Dachshund Club.
Educational Events
Free Public Events	Each year we reach out to Westie owners to invite them to join us for a few hours to learn more about our breed and our club and to have some FUN. The event has been and Open House, Westie Spa Day or an Howl-O-Ween Party. Written information about the the Breed Standard, AKC Conformation and Performance Events is made available. The event may include demonstrations, refreshments, games, door prizes and a sales boutique of Westie items. In the past, demonstrations have been "Tidy-Up" pet Westie grooming, Canine Good Citizen testing, and Obedience, Earthdog and Agility activities. We encourage Westies who are well behaved, on a short leash and up-to-date on their vaccinations to attend (Lots of Westies in a room can be a LOT of FUN). Individuals looking for a Westie can come for information and to talk to breeders. All owners looking to spend time with their Westies are welcome.
Sponsored Seminars	Some of the seminars we have held are: - Show Grooming with Randell Dickerson - Positive Reinforcement/Clicker Training with Sue Ailsby - Introduction to Performance Events -- Tracking, Earth Dog, Agility and Obedience with Debra Duncan - A four-session Earth Dog workshop These seminars are announced in advance and are open to non-Westie club members as well. Participants register for the seminar and pay a reasonable fee.