HISTORY

The idea of a kennel club headquartered in Ruston, Louisiana, but drawing membership from the Lake D'Arbonne region, was thought of by Nancy Clendenen, George Butler, and Joan Meyer. They were members of Bayou Kennel Club, in Monroe and had to drive too far for meetings. They enlisted the aid of other dog exhibitor/breeders in the area--Julie Anderson Cathey Mobely, Becky Napper, and Elizabeth Roane--and called an organizational meeting the first week of May 1977. These officers were then elected:

In early July 1977, this first basis recruited potential members from the community  a meeting open to the public. Approximately 20 people attended. Among these were Jan Mack; Ivan Lewis, Steve and Nancy McQueen, and Kathy Turner. Interested people paid dues, chose the name, adopted the constitution, and set a date for the first match. Work sessions to get ring equipment made lasted through July and most of August.

The club was chartered as a non-profit entity b1 the State of Louisiana, effective August 29, 1977. Year end membership for 1977 was 21 families. The next two years there was a steady growth of membership. However, by the end of 1980, the membership had dropped to only 13 paid members.

At the end of 1979, a new group of pure-breed dog owners became interested in confirmation, obedience, and breeding. A concerted effort by the club brought the 1981 year-end membership to 33 paid members. The present membership stands at 46, 36 separate households. From the 1977 membership, there are still seven of the original families in the club. Past Presidents and past secretaries of the club after the organizational year were as follows:

The club started with $30 in the treasury. The 1981 year ended with a treasury balance of $693.94. The balance as of August it 1982, is $. In order to hold its first fun match, D'ARBONNE Kennel Club took out a $500 renewal bank loan, which has since been liquidated.

The club meets monthly throughout the year on the second Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Ruston. The summer picnic of the early years has become a yearly Christmas party, where, since 1980, plaques are presented for champions finished and obedience degrees earned.

The 1982 officers are as follows:

  Show History Conformation & Obedience

The first D'Arbonne Kennel Club "fun match" was held August 28, 1977, at the Ruston Civic Center. Only half of the exhibition area was rented. Both conformation and obedience were offered. As in all matches (except one) printed regulation sized ribbons in proper AKC match colors were awarded. Judges ware: Mrs. Jeanette Spurlock9 Sporting; Mrs. Ann Arrant, Hound; Mr. Aubrey Griggs, Working; Mr. Pat Ainsworth, Terrier, Toy, and Non-Sporting; Mrs. Edna Sullivan, Obedience; Mr. Tommy Griggs, Junior Showmanship. Junior showmanship has always been a part of D'Arbonne "fun matches" because of the club's involvement in junior show in regional 4-H, and junior members have always actively. participated in the club. There were approximately 90 total entries for this first match, with about 40 of these in obedience. Figures are unavailable for junior showmanship. This "fun match," like all subsequent ones, was open to the public. All "fun matches" have been held to stimulate exhibiting and obedience interest among club members and non-club members in the region, to give club members experience in running a match, and eventually to meet the need for another regional all breed and obedience club.

In 1978, two fun matches were held. From this point onward, all of the exhibition area of the Ruston Civic Center was rented to accommodate the increased entries that a "fun match's in Ruston drew. The spring 1978 "fun match" was held March 5, 1978. Home-made ribbons were awarded winners, since the printed regulation size and color ones did not arrive in time. The total entry was 132--breed entry, 95; total obedience 25; junior show, Judges were: Mr. Robert Furman,

In 1980, the Club sent representatives, acting as advisors, to organizational meetings of a proposed Lincoln parish Humane Society. This organization disbanded due to lack of interest~ since the problems posed were already being dealt with by municipal agencies or addressed by the D'Arbonne Kennel Club.

D'Arbonne Kennel Club has since its inception taken an active' part in the development and continuation of a 4-H dog project, both in Lincoln Parish and in the state. In the Fall of l977  Nancy Clendenen started an active, year-round program, meeting weekly to teach obedience, junior showmanship, and general dog care and health. In 1979, Jan Mack, who had assisted for two years, became co-leader it Nancy Clendenen, and both ladies alternated teaching classes. Iris was the first parish (county) wide 4-H dog program in the state of Louisiana.

In 1979 members of D'Arbonne Kennel Club then helped to organize the Caddo and the Bossier Parish 4-H dog projects, and in 1981 helped develop and propose at a state meeting a master program including (1) a short course dog category and test, (2) two-day seminar in Baton Rouge under Dr. Rhoades, DVM Louisiana State University (3) a weekend dog camp, and (4) an official state 4-H dog show during the state-livestock competition. The first two proposals were accepted for 1981-1982 school year.

On July 17, 1982, a 4-hour handling clinic, open to members only  was conducted by professional handler G W Blackstock oft Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and was followed by a potluck supper. Twenty members attended.