History of the Columbia Kennel Club

The Columbia Kennel Club (CKC) was established in 1935 in Columbia, SC, and is a member club of the (AKC) American Kennel Club.  CKC promotes the welfare and enjoyment of AKC registered dogs and participation in AKC pure-bred dog events.  Each year the Club appoints a member to represent its interests at delegate meetings of the AKC to focus on keeping the club abreast of changes in rules and regulations.

CKC's COMMUNITY HISTORY:
In 1989, members of the Columbia Kennel Club came to the aid of dogs and dog people (some cats and their people, too) after Hurricane Hugo.  CKC members coordinated with the Red Cross, dog food companies,
South Carolina Animal Care & Control Assoc., the American Kennel Club; the Greater Columbia Obedience Club, the SC Veterinarians Assoc., and other state and nationwide dog clubs and relief organizations, to help
South Carolina pets and their owners.

CKC members assisted in many ways during Hugo's aftermath.  They provided CB radio communication while telephone service was nonexistent. They unloaded trucks filled with donated dry dog food at rural churches;
rebuilt fences that were smashed by debris and fostered pets whose owners were injured or ill. All in all if help was needed, CKC members did it.

CKC received donations from dog clubs and dog people all across America. After Hugo relief efforts were completed, the club used the remainder of these donations to purchase over 100 plastic dog crates of various sizes for use in future emergencies. Following Hugo, at the request of other dog clubs, Columbia Kennel Club members participated in emergency preparedness and response seminars in Canada, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

The next disaster soon followed, Florida's Hurricane Andrew!  The CKC crates proved to be invaluable in that effort. Crates that were returned after Andrew were stored by the South Carolina Animal Care & Control Assoc. The SCACCA used the crates again during the rescues that occurred as result of terrible flooding in NC.

HONOREES
The CKC has often honored those who positively impact our relationships with dogs by inviting them to present the Best In Show award at one of the Club's events.  CKC has recognized national, state, and local dignitaries; hero dogs and service dogs; individuals who performed heroic acts on behalf of dogs; and many others.

One such honoree was Mr. Kenneth Marden, a former president of the American Kennel Club.  Another was the "keeper of the hounds" Mr. Hazel Thompson, from Camden, SC, who protected a large kennel of dogs from a wildfire; ignoring his own peril, he continually swept burning pine straw awayfrom the kennel compound until the fire moved on.

The Club often honors these Best In Show "presenters" with a plaque in recognition of their heroism, community service, and/or their contributions to pure bred dogs and to the sport that celebrates them.

CKC’s CONTIBUTIONS
In addition to the two yearly show events, the Columbia Kennel Club has also hosted health clinics, educational seminars, weekly handling classes, matches, and other events for many years.  CKC hosted one of the first all-breed "training matches" that was held for the specific purpose of teaching prospective AKC judges.

CKC and McKissick Museum jointly sponsored the Columbia presentation of a national art show honoring "the dog" that was enjoyed by Columbians and many dog and art lovers who visited our city from across the USA.

The Columbia Kennel Club paid for the veterinary school textbooks for two of our members who are still in practice today.

In 1991, the Columbia Kennel Club, itself, was honored to receive a plaque from the Special Olympics Organization in recognition of the Club's interaction and contribution to the Special Olympics.

CKC's EVENT HISTORY
The Club's first AKC approved all-breed dog show was held Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1935, in Columbia’s Township Auditorium.  The show catalog's price was $ .25 and 207 dogs were entered, with 34 breeds represented.  Trophies at the 1935 show varied from sterling silver objects to hats, ties, cigars, and cans of motor oil! The first dog to win a Best In Show at this show was a male English Setter, Ch. Matthews Freckles.

The Club's 50th year anniversary shows were in 1985; the 50 years "celebration" was publicized in various ways, one being a billboard that read "Puppy Love that lasted"! The Sunday, April 28, 1985, show was dedicated to Ms. Judy Coward, a past CKC president and show chair. There were 1078 entries with 109 different breeds or varieties.  The April 1985, catalog included a complete reprint of the 1935 show catalog at a price of $2.00 each.

The number of entries for the Saturday, November 9, 1985, show was 1028. This show was dedicated to the memory of a long time CKC member and a long time bulldog breeder, Mr. Allison Fickling.  Mrs. Fickling presented the “Best In Show” trophy to a male Bulldog, Ch. Bomar's Honorable BullFogg. The trophy was a color portrait of the winner in a frame that would hold his portrait and the Rosette.  This show was the 60th held by the Columbia Kennel Club.

In the past the CKC shows have been held in a National Guard Armory as well as on the South Carolina State Fairgrounds.  When these sites were no longer available, and no other appropriate site could be found in Columbia, CKC's shows were then held in Charlotte, NC, sharing the weekends with Charlotte's Piedmont Kennel Club on show grounds that the PKC owned.

In recent years the CKC's shows returned to Columbia and have been held on the grounds of the Clemson Extension Service. Starting this year (2008) Columbia Kennel Club's shows will be held here in Columbia at the Jamil Temple.