The Fort Garry Kennel Club celebrates its 100thAnniversary with a commemorative dog show.
This year marks the 100
thanniversary of the Fort Garry Kennel Club. This milestone offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the Club’s history and the many important contributions it has made.
CKC had the opportunity to talk to Geraldine Taylor, Fort Garry Kennel Club’s current president, who gave us some insight into the club’s work in promoting purebred dogs and dog sports in Canada for over a century.
The History of the Fort Garry Kennel Club
The first record of a kennel club in Manitoba was in 1882, with the formation of the the Winnipeg Kennel Club. Alexander Logan was the founding president, and also the mayor of Winnipeg at the time.
In 1919, many of the smaller clubs in the area, including the Winnipeg Kennel Club, amalgamated to form a larger club; the Fort Garry Kennel Club, making it one of the oldest kennel clubs in Canada still in existence. The Club’s founding president was Mr. Alex Stuart.
Fort Garry Kennel Club’s Diamond Jubilee Show in 1979.
President: George Taylor
Presenter: Mrs Barbara Eamons - Charter Member of the Fort Garry Kennel Club since 1919
Judge: Mr. Ed Bracy
Handler: Anne Webster
Dog: Can. Am. Ch. Shaggylane's Beaming Teak
Shows, Events and Classes
In May 1919, the Fort Garry Kennel Club hosted its first dog show. This was the first dog show held in Manitoba since prior to the start of WWI. To this day- 100 years later- the Club continues this tradition, hosting a show in May every year.
In 1964, the Fort Garry Kennel Club added Obedience trials to its annual dog show in addition to Conformation. The Club also offered Conformation and later obedience training classes, until suitable training space was no longer available.
In October 1988, the Fort Garry Kennel Club hosted the first Manitoba Classic, a specialty Conformation competition for dogs who had won a first in group in Manitoba shows. Cash prizes were awarded, and attendees dressed up in evening attire. Two years later, the event expanded to include North-Western Ontario, as well as first-place dogs in Obedience. The Classic ran until 1998, with sponsors such as Ralston Purina and Best West Pet Foods.
On June 28, 2019, the Fort Garry Kennel Club hosted a special 100
thanniversary show to commemorate this wonderful achievement. This show was held in conjunction with the Portage Kennel Club Show and was a great success.
At the 2019 CKC Annual General Meeting, the Fort Garry Kennel Club was presented with the Club Recognition Award. Geraldine Taylor accepts the award on behalf of the Club from Leila Bahorie, Joan Bennett and Lance Novak. (left to right)
The Club’s Mandate
Throughout the past century, the Fort Garry Kennel Club has shown exceptional leadership and dedication to the advancement and promotion of purebred dogs, and expansion of dog shows and performance events.
It has always been a mandate of the Fort Garry Kennel Club to assist new and growing clubs in their endeavors through financial assistance, equipment rental or club personnel, to help clubs get started in their fledgling years.
Over the years, the Fort Garry Kennel Club has supported most clubs in Manitoba, including the Manitoba Junior Kennel Club, and other clubs including the Kenora and District Dog Club in Ontario.
As the Fort Garry Kennel Club marks 100 years, there are many reasons to be proud of the past, and excited about the future. The CKC wishes the Fort Garry Kennel Club continued success while celebrating this wonderful achievement.