CLUB HISTORY

The Avalon Kennel Club was formed in June 1994 by a group of purebred dog owners in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. We operate under the auspices of the Canadian Kennel Club and follow their Code of Ethics.  Our objective is to “promote good canineship” throughout our community. During the year we hold conformation shows, obedience trials and sanction and fun matches for the purebred dogs in our community. In an effort to reach out to the general population, our members take their own dogs to visit community groups such as the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. This is a great way to educate young people about the joys and responsibilities of owning a dog.

The Avalon Kennel Club has a small membership but one that is dedicated to their dogs and their sport. The sport of showing your dog at Conformation Shows has been around for decades and those in "the fancy" in Newfoundland actively continue that tradition. During Victoria Day weekend in May and the first weekend of August our club holds conformation shows and obedience trails for purebred dogs. At a conformation show a dog is judged as to its conformation to the breed standard as outlined by The Canadian Kennel Club. At an obedience trial, owner and dog compete for points awarded for performing a series of exercises set down by The Canadian Kennel Club. Junior Handling competitions are also held.

The Avalon Kennel Club hold classes on conformation show training and obedience training along with junior handling and canine good neighbour classes available to the general public. These classes are very successful in passing on our collective knowledge of successful dog training to other people. The members of our club find that meeting with people who have a shared interest in dogs is very rewarding. Some of our members have been in the "dog fancy" for many years and have considerable experience to pass on to the younger members. Advice is often sought and given. We also hold seminars and invite guests to speak/demonstrate on matters of specific canine topics to those people in our Club and the local “dog fancy”.