HISTORY
Following the founding fathers' establishment of Christchurch and Canterbury in the 19th Century, the expression and inspiration of faith in the province extended to, among other things, the Englishman’s love of dogs. It was no accident, therefore, that in 1886 the New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC) was established in Christchurch, and the first dog show was held here in November 1890. All the known breeds then in New Zealand, including terriers such as the Fox Terrier, Skye, Bedlington, the rough Terriers, Black & Tan and Bull Terriers, were among the first to be shown.
From these small beginnings, interest in dogs developed with the formation of many specialist breed and group clubs, including the Canterbury Combined Terrier Club. In fact, the Canterbury Combined Terrier Club was the first multi-breed (group club) recognised by the NZKC.
The Club was formed in July 1949. Over 30 breeders and enthusiasts met to launch the club, setting the aims and objectives to be to:
- Promote and popularise terrier breeds
- adopt a true type and standard by which terriers should be judged, and
- hold Ribbon parades, with the objective of encouraging novice owners to exhibit their dogs at championship shows.
In the mid fifties, the CCTC produced the Terrier Times, which was posted to every financial member of the club. It was a very informative newsletter until the early sixties when the co-editors, under the non-de-plumes of Nab and Jab, turned it into a scandal rag. The Club lost many members and well-known persons in the dog world. With no actual doggy information or show results published, entries at parades dropped, and social events became non existent, though membership from around the country did grow from those who loved a bit of scandal. After complaints were laid with the NZKC the executive took the editors to task and refused to recognise a once thriving club. These were black days as our once proud Terrier Club went into recess from 1965-1970.
The sun always shines again, and, in 1970, Roselin O’Keefe (current patron of our club) approached Mr. Norm Brown (the then secretary of the Canterbury Kennel Assn, and former secretary of the CCTC) about getting the club going again. She refused the offer of him starting the club up again unless she stood as Secretary, but they did agree that if she could get enough interested parties to a meeting, then he would do something to help. Norm, in conjunction with Bill (Taffy) Morris, arranged a meeting, and the club was subsequently granted permission to restart. Bill was the President and his wife Sheila the secretary.
The Club recommenced the Terrier Times again, and has been fortunate to have had some excellent editors since – even to the extent of having won many awards over the years. The Terrier Times is seen as the link between the pet members and our members who regularly show their dogs, as well as a vital information source.
The Club held it's first championship show on 9 October 1972 at Riccarton House. The judge was Mrs Marion Forester of ‘Loggerheads’ Staffordshire Bull Terrier kennels in Hastings. Sixty-two dogs were entered and Best In Show was awarded to Mr & Mrs J Stapelton’s Smooth Coat Fox Terrier “Ch Alven Pie Pie”, with runner up awarded to Miss Peggy Skey’s West Highland White Terrier “Ch Langsbyne Kilbaigie (Aust).
In November 1999 the Club celebrated it’s 50th championship show. This was a very special show indeed.
The Canterbury Combined Terrier Club has progressed into a highly respected club, whose trophy tables at championship shows are the envy of other clubs. We have been fortunate to have many committee members over the years who have worked extremely hard to make this the best club it can be.
