Exeter Dog Training Club is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year. The Club was founded in 1957 by a group of dog enthusiasts, with the objectives of helping pet owners to train their dogs for obedience work, and advising in the art of ringcraft for showing pedigree dogs.

On 15th April 1957 Exeter Dog Training Club held its first General Meeting at the Devon & Exeter Institute in Cathedral Close. Major Bethan took the chair, and a Mr J Rowsell, the then Chief Constable for Devon & Exeter Police, was elected as President of the new Club. Mr & Mrs Hatherley, Mrs Jones and Mr Maynard were elected to the Committee. When Mr Rowsell subsequently moved to Brighton, Mr Weeks, a Superintendent at the Guide Dogs for the Blind was elected as President. The current President, Hilary Jones, joined the Club in its formative years.

Training classes were initially held at the Territorial Army Centre at the Royal Signals Barracks during the winter months. In the summer an outdoor venue at the West of England School for the Partially Sighted was used, this changed in June 1959 to Mount St Mary Convent School. In 1960 the Club moved to the Buller Hall in Cowick Street, where they paid one guinea per hour plus five shillings for the use of the kitchen facilities. The club was to remain at Buller Hall until the venue was sold for development in 1999. The Club move to its current venue, the Exeter & District Scout HQ, Marsh Barton in 2002.

Local jeweller, Mr Mitchell, donated a trophy to the Club, to be presented to the winners of competitions. “Exeter Dog Training Club versus Plymouth Dog Training Club” was the first competitive obedience match, taking place on 29th March 1957. A match between Exeter, Plymouth, Burnham-on-Sea and Climax dog training clubs was held in 1959. These inter-club obedience contests continue as annual events.

In 1960 the Club took the big step of organising its own Kennel Club licensed Open Obedience Show, held at Bury Meadow. Competitors paid entry fees of six shillings for non-members and five shillings for members. Rosettes and prize money of £1 was awarded for first place, 10 shillings for second and 5 shillings for third. The Open Show remains an annual event, moving from Westpoint to its current venue at Cullompton Football Club in 2004. Entry fees these days are £4 per dog per class for non-members and £3 for members. The Show attracts up to 300 entries from competitors across the South West and a few from further afield. Prize money is no longer paid, but winners achieve the status of having the most obedient dogs in the South West!

Exeter Dog Training Club teaches positive dog training methods, with an emphasis on socialisation, reward and play. It participates in the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme, the largest dog training scheme in the UK, established in 1992 to promote responsible dog ownership and to make the community aware of the benefits associated with dog ownership. Over the last 15 years hundreds of dogs and their owners have successfully passed their Good Citizen tests at Exeter Dog Training Club. In 2002 a team from the Club helped to promote the scheme by demonstrating it at Crufts.

Today, Exeter Dog Training Club has around 100 members. Most members join for a few months or for as long as it takes to train their pet dog to the desired level, some attending until they have attained the Good Citizens Silver or Gold level. About a third enjoy the social aspect of coming regularly to the Club and remain members for years, including several enthusiasts whose hobby is competitive dog obedience or other canine events. Committee members and trainers freely give their time and effort to run the Club. Many of current members have been involved with the Club since the 1980s

Chairman Barbara Tanton said “Exeter Dog Training Club is proud of its contribution to training dogs in Exeter over the past half century. I am so pleased that we continue to attract so many new members, and hope that will continue to do so for the next 50 years!”

This week Club members and their dogs celebrate the Club’s Golden Jubilee with a fun show and barbecue. The Club then closes its doors for the summer break in August. Classes recommence in September.

Notes to Editors:
1. Exeter Dog Training Club is registered with the Kennel Club
2. Training classes for members and their dogs take place on Thursday evenings at Exeter & District Scout HQ, Ashton Road, Marsh Barton.
3. Classes cater for all levels, from puppy socialisation and beginners, up to Kennel Club Good Citizens Test bronze, silver and gold levels.
4. Enrolments are currently being taken for the new classes which start on 13th September 2007. Telephone 01395 265764/513859 or email chris@toe-rag.com for further details.
5. Enquiries about this press release should be directed to Lucinda Francis, lucinda.francis@btopenworld.com, tel 01392 493327/428212, mobile 07905 918050
6. Photocall
Press are invited to take pictures at Exeter Dog Training Clubs Golden Jubilee Fun Show & Barbecue, on Thursday 26th July from 7:30pm at Exeter & District Scout HQ, Ashton Road, Marsh Barton.