The Great Southern Kennel Club

The Great Southern Kennel Club was the brainchild of Earline "Dixie" Rupert and Ann Nunez. Their idea was to form a United Kennel Club multi-breed organization that would give dog owners another outlet to show and prove their dogs. It was decided that this club should be in an area between Florida and Texas to provide shorter travel distances for the show fancy in those areas. Their idea was then presented to Roger "Butch" Bennett, Loren and Shirely Stroud, Patricia "Trish" Barrios, Carol Cournaya, and Pam and Don Wells. Together, as a team, they brought the idea to life.

With the information provided by the UKC, the job of preparing a list of rules and by-laws was put into motion and the GSKC became a Sanctioned UKC Show Club in 1998 and was approved for Conformation Shows. In the summer of 2001 GSKC was sanctioned to provide Obedience Shows.

The goals of GSKC are:

1. Promote the conformation standards as set forth by United Kennel Club.
2. Promote Sportsmanship, Friendship, and Camaraderie amongst its competitors.
3. To host UKC events that will enable its members the convenience of having shows closer to home, thereby reducing the travel distance of those owners in outlying areas.
4. To assist members and breeders with their breeding programs so that they may advance their respective breeds.
5. To provide and promote seminars and instructions that will enable everyone to acquire specific knowledge concerning their breed, breeding, displaying, and performing with their dogs.

With this in mind, GSKC is developing into an organization with immense diversity among its board of directors and members. Within our organization we have Attorneys, Veterinarians, Medical Professionals, Certified Canine Experts, Trainers, Law Enforcement Professionals, and many other professionals and laymen that are willing to assist with the needs of the members and the club.

The Board of Directors have vowed to take on any project that will not knowingly risk the integrity or credibility of the organization or its members. They will, however, endeavor to promote and advance the GSKC to becoming one of the most efficient and well organized clubs that represents UKC. Working together, this diverse group is determined to make GSKC the Spotlight Club of the Southern Region.

If you are interested in becoming a member, please click over to our Membership Page for information concerning membership. Feel free to contact us with any inquiries that you may have pertaining to our organization.

We are here to help you enjoy the sport of Canine Competition.

A United Kennel Club Organization

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