Serving the Golden Triangle area - Columbus ~ Starkville ~ West Point
Licensed by the American Kennel Club
Golden Triangle Kennel Club of Mississippi
Our History
The GTKCM was organized on June 14, 1971 as The Northeast Mississippi Kennel Club (NEMKC).
To quote area newspapers written at that time: "The Northeast Mississippi Kennel Club was organized June 14 as a result of many dog enthusiasts who have been raising and showing dogs in other cities and who realized the importance of such an organization in this area. The club is comprised of three counties-Lowndes, Monroe, and Clay. The purpose is to advance interest in persons in purebred dogs. Its ultimate goal is to sponsor such programs as dog problem discussions, planned parenthood and obedience training, and eventually to be licensed by the American Kennel Club to sponsor point shows for serious show competitors. Officers include representatives of all three counties: Mrs. Eugene Williams (now Mrs. Nancy Brown) of Aberdeen, President; Stephen Bailey of Columbus, Vice President; Van Arnold of West Point, Secretary; and Mrs. Jansen Taylor of Columbus, Treasurer. Board of Directors are Mrs. Marthan Foster of Columbus, Mrs. Don Randle of Columbus and Mrs. Clyde Tubb of Amory."
The first meeting of the NEMKC was held on June 28, 1971 in Columbus, MS. The first area dog show match had an entry of 91 purebred dogs and was held in September of 1971. "Best in Match that day was Reitzn Als Ein Kropf, a toy Pomeranian, owned by Earnest Randall of Meridian." The NEMKC continued to host two fun matches a year at the Columbus Fairgrounds until March 30, 1974 when they were AKC approved to hold their first sanctioned B match. At this time the name changed to The Greater Columbus Kennel Club. (This was most likely done at the request of AKC.) The Best Puppy in Match from an entry of 77 dogs was Norwegian Elkhound, Claren Tryg N Thor owned by Jane Calhoun of Vicksburg, MS and Best Adult in Match was a smooth dachshund named Daisy U. Dychland owned by James Weiss, Jr. of Tuscaloosa, AL.
During these early years, the kennel club sponsored obedience classes taught by Mr. Bailey as well as other club members, a Dog Breeders Showcase at Leigh Mall, and educational meetings and promoted "Be Kind to Animals" week. In the spring of 1975 the Greater Columbus KC held their first AKC sanctioned B-OB match that included obedience as well as conformation.
In 1986, through the diligent efforts of Mrs. Brown, the club began it's earnest effort to become eligible to sponsor it's first AKC licensed show by completing the AKC requirements of hosting two A-OA matches.
The first AKC licensed show as the Greater Columbus MS Kennel Club was held in Columbus, Mississippi on Sunday, November 6, 1988 at the Columbus-Lowndes Fairgrounds with 290 dogs entered for 300 entries total. Our Show Chair was Mrs. Nancy Brown, Obedience Chair, Dr. Diane Wall and Trophy Chair, Mrs. Jane Yeatman.
Our 2nd annual show was held in June 1989, in Jackson, MS in conjunction with the Magnolia Cluster. The club continued sponsoring the show in Jackson until 1997 when it was voted to change location and date.
Our first show in the new location, Tupelo Coliseum (Bancorp South Center), Tupelo, MS on May 10, 1998 was an investment toward promoting the purebred fancy in an area closer to home as well as a beginning cooperation with the new Tupelo Kennel Club. We received many compliments on the well organized show and beautiful show site. May 15-16, 1999 saw the first two day show in Tupelo (with the Tupelo Kennel Club) and a gradual increase in entries.
In May 2007 it was decided to again change licensed show locations. To increase interest and visibility of the club and in canine activities in our home area, the Golden Triangle KC of MS moved the licensed shows to Starkville, MS in January 2008.
These shows are held on the second Saturday and Sunday in January at the Mississippi Horse Park on the Mississippi State University campus.
The Greater Columbus MS Kennel Club name was changed in 1994 to the Golden Triangle Kennel Club of Mississippi to reflect the growing membership from the Columbus, Starkville, West Point and surrounding areas.
The GTKCM is a non-profit organization licensed by the American Kennel Club
We are approved to hold licensed conformation, obedience, rally and agility trials and working towards hosting scent work trials.
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