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History |
The BARRIE
KENNEL AND OBEDIENCE CLUB, INC. (BKOC) was originally known as
The Barrie Kennel Club. It was formed in 1946 with 17
members and held its first championship show at the Barrie Arena
in June 1947. There were approximately 200 entries with 3
American judges presiding - Mrs. Frances Crane of Mass., and Mr.
& Mrs. H. A. Sayers of Long Island, NY.
Through 1966, the shows continued at the Barrie Arena until it
became so successful it necessitated a move to the Barrie
Fairgrounds where the show expanded to three days held annually
on the August Civic Holiday weekend. The show continued to
grow to become Canada's largest outdoor championship show with
over 1,500 dogs entered per day when it moved to Formosa Park
(later known as Molson Park) in 1974.
From 1985 to 2004, the show was held at the Orillia & District
Agricultural Society (ODAS) Park in Orillia and for many years
ran obedience trials in conjunction with its conformation shows.
The show moved to the grounds of the Barrie Event Centre for a
few years, but when that property was sold it forced the Club to
find another location. The Club celebrated its 60th Anniversary
in the year 3006 with many additional events to mark the special
occasion.
Currently the three day show is back at ODAS Park where the Club
has expanded to host CKC sanctioned agility trials along with
the conformation championship shows. The show continues to
be held on the August Civic Holiday weekend and after working to
regain its accreditation in 2009, the BKOC is excited to once
again offer obedience and now also rally obedience trials.
The Club supports charitable organizations such as Canadian
Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada and Canine
Research programs. In the past, the Club has sponsored
several children through the Canadian Save the Children Fund and
in 1972 donated eight wheelchairs to the Royal Victoria
Hospital.
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