2013 is the club's 50th Anniversary !!
Welcome
The club was founded in 1963 and is a member club of the American Kennel Club. A group of purebred dog enthusiasts recognized the need to meet regularly to promote the advancement of canine knowledge. The Merrimack Valley Kennel Club was formed to meet the following goals: To provide breeders of purebred dogs in the area with the knowledge to achieve quality of breeding. To actively contribute to the study and eradication of diseases and heredity defects affecting purebred dogs. To promote activities demonstrating canine companions contributions for mankind. To offer competitive events such as conformation shows and obedience trials to measure the improvements in purebred dogs.
MVKC members may concentrate on particular breeds but they all share a dedication to the world of purebreds dogs, enjoying and appreciating all canine companions. Our members are active in all aspects of canine purpose and competition. We participate in activities such as obedience and rally, agility, conformation, breeding dogs, cgc, hunting trials, tracking events, herding, lure coursing, therapy dogs and raising funds for non-profit associations affiliated with dogs.
Trip to GDF
MVKC’s TRIP TO
THE GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND
SMITHTOWN, NY
On April 23rd we (Ann McCall & Gloria Ennis) visited The Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind to pick out the puppy MVKC sponsored. We were very excited to see PUPPIES and to pick out our future little “Merri” or “Mack.”
We were warmly greeted by Theresa, the Breeding Coorinator. She took us down the hall to the viewing room where we waited for the first group of puppies to come out. It didn’t take much time at all for us to fall in love with little “Mack!” He is a handsome yellow labrador with jet black pigment who immediately snuggled in to our arms.
Once all the details were done regarding Mack we were treated to a wonderful tour of the entire facility by one of their long time volunteers, Dale Bente. Dale is a volunteer that wears many hats…….Puppy Raiser, home whelper, stud dog caregiver, tour guide, etc., etc., etc.
Attached to this article are photos that were taken during our tour of the Breeding & Development Dept./Kennel, Japanese Garden, Training Center, Dormitory and Dogs-In-For-Training Kennel.
The THREE hours we spent at GDF just flew by and we left feeling really good. Those years of asking for donations for our raffle from club members, local merchants, restaurants etc. were all worth it!
So on May 5th little Mack arrived in New Hampshire to begin his training as a Guide Dog with our new club member, Jen Ericson and her husband, Mark. Jen will be giving us regular updates on how Mack is doing with his socialization, training, vet visits etc. Mack also plans on attending our Obedience show in Sept. and our All-Breed show in January 2013. If possible, we will see if we can get him to a General Membership meeting or two!
We would like to thank all our wonderful club members who have helped make this sponsorship possible!
Ann McCall & Gloria Ennis