Piedmont North Carolina Bulldog Club

A group of breeders, owners and dog fanciers got together to promote the breeding and exhibiting bulldogs at an organizational meeting in the Voyager Inn at Durham, North Carolina on Sunday, June 9, 1968.

At this meeting, Dorothy and Art Trammelle, Tony and Vi Sucher, and Ira Cromer, all from BCA Division VII, came to help organize a new specialty club. All were members for at least one year, and the Cromers are still on the roster and attend meetings when they can.

The club was formed with 22 original members, and the name Triangle Bulldog Club was selected.

A slate of officers was elected and dues were collected. With the help of the BCA Division VII members present, a constitution was drawn up and approved at a later date.

The first slate of officers was as follows: President, George Geddings, Vice President, Margaret Stokes, Secretary, Sarah Simpson, and Treasurer, Ronnie Qualls

The five member Board of Directors was: Dr. Bob Land, Hugh Martin, Bob McClesky, Vallie Thomason, and Neil Ragan.

Of the original 22 members, there are 17 who are most active in the club and rarely miss meetings. The club meets the second Sunday of each month at the homes of the members.

The 1972 membership roster had 42 members, and at each meeting there was a 70% attendance record. Quite a few members were traveling up to 200 miles roundtrip to attend.

In the years since the club was formed, only two meetings have been canceled because of weather conditions, and these were made up by using telephone conference calls to conduct meetings..

At all the meetings, there is an education program along with other club business. A few areas covered have been line breeding, whelping pups, care and feeding of pups, skin problems, hip dysplasia, ringside behavior, and other topics interesting and informative to long time breeders as well as the novice owners. Outside speakers are invited as well as club members to give presentations.

In November 1970, it was decided that the club should change its name to The Piedmont North Carolina Bulldog Club instead of Triangle Bulldog Club. A new constitution was drawn up and approved.

Twenty five of its members belong to BCA, and five more have filled out applications for membership.

The club started with five fun matches when it was formed and all were held in Burlington, North Carolina..

The matches were held in: November 1968, Judge Dr. Harry Smith; July 1969, Judge Pat Hartle; November 1969, Judge Dot Bullock; April 1970, Judge Nellie West; and November 1970, Judge Dr. Keith Grimson.

At these matches, junior handling classes were held. Due to various member conflicts with attending shows across the country, it was decided that no more matches would be held until AKC approved a sanctioned a "B" Match.

Beginning in December 1969, the meeting was held as a Christmas party held on a Saturday night in conjunction with dinner. At this time, certificates and awards of recognition were handed out to the various club members for accolades gathered from the previous year.

The members had finished 21 champions since its formation in 1968. Twelve of these were homebred champions. During the summer months, a few covered dish meetings were held.

Many Piedmont Bulldog Club members attend dog shows in a 17-state area. Every year since the club was formed, some members of the club have attended the BCA National Specialty Shows.

Members of this club have had significant wins at both specialty shows and all-breed shows. The top win has been Ch. Scarlet O’Hara of Blackwatch going Best in Show at the Oak Ridge Kennel Club in 1971 as well as Best of Opposite Sex at the BCA National specialty in the same year. Scarlet O’Hara also won Best of Opposite Sex at the Greater Metropolitan Atlanta Bulldog specialty in 1971.

Some of the club's members have professional handler status (Carolyn Ragan), and two are professional dog show photographers (Mr. and Mrs. Earl Graham). Many club members were also officers of all-breed clubs and many members have served as Board of Governors members in BCA Division VII.

In 1969, the club started a monthly newsletter called the Bull Sheet. This was sent to all members and anyone wanting to pay $2 for a one-year subscription. At this time, many club members were trading and exchanging publications with other Bulldog clubs. The Bull Sheet gave time and location of future meetings as well as items of interest for dog shows. They included results and reminders of upcoming shows.

The Piedmont North Carolina Bulldog Club is fulfilling its purpose to improve the breed, participate in AKC-licensed shows, and watching over the health and welfare of its animals.

Provided by Frank Kaufman.