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Greenwich Kennel Club
Celebrates its 75th Anniversary
The Greenwich Kennel Club (GKC) will celebrate its 75th anniversary of dog show excellence on June 9, 2007.
The first GKC show was held in Greenwich’s Bruce Park with its picturesque ponds, lawns, and gardens on June 14, 1930. This benched dog show was heralded as "the leading sport event of the season in this vicinity as far as society was concerned" as reported by the Greenwich News & Graphic. "Benched" dog shows were the norm. Long benches were erected at the show site and dogs were either in their kennel crates or tethered safely to their assigned benched area. The general public would have the opportunity to see the various breeds up close, talk to the owners on the unique features of their breed, and educate themselves on what breed would best match their life style.
The 1930s Show Chair was Miss Marie J. Leary, who was well-known for her "Cosalta" German Shepherd dogs and a founder of the Club. The list of registered owners included Herbert Nathan Straus, the son of Isidor Straus who was an owner of the R. H. Macy department store and perished in the wreck of the Titanic; Mr. and Mrs. H. Terrell Van Ingen of the Pinefair Kennels, breeders of Cocker Spaniels and Cairns; and Samuel G. Allen, President of GKC and one of the founders of the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association. This first show drew an astounding 1,230 dogs with 1,540 entries in six classes: Sporting, Sporting (Hounds), Working, Terriers, Toy and Non-Sporting. The Best in Show winner was Little Emir, a Pomeranian owned and bred by Vincent Matta of Astoria.
GKC continued to make headlines by announcing in 1931 that any breed not making a three-point rating at its June 7 show will be barred from participating in the show next year. The reason for the ruling was to raise the bar in competition and eliminate those breeds that had low registrations, which translated into single dog entries in their breed. Despite this announcement in the New York Times, the 1931 show had 57 breeds represented with a total dog entry of 1,494, surpassing the 1930 entry of 1,230. The show was moved to the Greenwich Polo Club and the Best in Show winner was Benson of Crombie a Pointer owned and bred by W. J. Shannon.
The Club continuously held shows from 1930 to today with the exception of 1943-1945 due to World War II.
Best in Show perpetual trophies are maintained to this day. These three trophies were donated in the names of key Club members. They were the Daniel J. Leary gold tone cup, the estate of Mrs. H. Terrell Van Ingen offers the Phyllis W. Quirk Memorial Trophy, and the estate of Mrs. Nathan R. Allen offers the Kay Duncan Memorial Bowl, the latter two are sterling silver.
Since the first show in 1930, the Club has held its shows in and around the Greenwich area. The current show site is Taylor Farm Park in East Norwalk. There are 20 show rings with more than 2,000 purebred dogs representing approximately 150 breeds culminating with the conformation selection for the coveted Best in Show award as well as the High in Trial award in obedience.
On Saturday, June 9, 2007 judging will start at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until completed with the Group competition starting at 3 p.m.
This show is jam packed with special events that will include:
- Puppy Groups & Best Puppy in Show competition and
- Animal Communicator, Ann Marie Sawicki, at the Meet the Author Tent.
- Take the Challenge—Back by popular demand, the Doggie Fun Zone Challenge Course (DFZ). It is sponsored by GKC and the Norwalk Parks & Recreation Department. The DFZ will run daily from Friday, June 8 through Sunday, June 17, starting at 9 a.m. and is open to any and all dogs willing to step up to the plate. No prior training or experience is required to compete as dogs are motivated by the aid of a small lure that instinctively propels and guides the dog through the timed race course. The charge is $12 per dog entitling each dog to run the course twice.
- AKC’s Canine Good Citizen ® test (CGC) is open to both purebred and mixed-breed dogs. CGC is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. Individuals may schedule the test for their dog at Ring 17 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Participants must bring their dog’s brush or comb and $15 cash.
- 12th Annual Meet the Author book signing. Dog enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet and talk with prominent authors of both canine and general interest books.
- D.A.W.G.S. (Disaster and Wilderness Ground Search) rescue group will be giving demonstrations.
- Show Tours throughout the day. Learn the inside scoop on dog show competition from knowledgeable professionals.
- For the professional breeder/handler there will be DNA Collections. The ICSB-MA K-9 Semen Collection Clinic.
GKC is a non-profit organization that supports various animal welfare groups and research institutions through the proceeds of the show.
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