Knox Obedience Dog Club just recently commemorated its 55th anniversary.
From simple starts in a yard in Boronia, the club now boasts more than 1000 members.
In 1979, the club relocated to Knox Park at Knoxfield where members developed the clubhouse. Dog types of any ages from 16 weeks are catered for.
The volunteer-run club has an arrangement with Council for usage of the land, under a plan covering over 40 years. Members have access to 3 big yard ovals beside a fully-fenced dog park.
When dexterity training was presented in Victoria in 1987, Knox was among the very first clubs to run a dexterity trial.
Committee member Nola Williams is the happy owner of 3 generations of high efficiency mini poodles — Crystal, Pearl and Sapphire.
“Last November, Sapphire and I won the Victorian State Trial Championship in agility for her height of dog,” Nola says. “They’ve all reached the highest level of masters in agility. Crystal has titles in Dances with Dogs and in obedience, and they’ve all got titles in rally, which is another version of training.”
Secretary John Howard says the club is not practically training dogs to be loyal or end up being champs.
“You get to see other people, you chat with other people,” he says. “It’s not only dogs meeting dogs, it’s people meeting people”.
“We’re a community-based organisation that encourages owners to train their dogs to become part of the family and the community.”
For details about Knox Obedience Dog Club go to knoxodc.org.au
