Potomac Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club
Member of the
American Shetland Sheepdog Association (ASSA)


For more information, contact
any Board Member

Purpose

The Potomac Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club, Inc. is a member Club of the American Shetland Sheepdog Association, and is an American Kennel Club recognized and licensed regional "specialty" Dog Club, existing to promote the betterment of the Shetland Sheepdog, or "Sheltie". The Club is incorporated in the State of Virginia and is a nonprofit organization with tax exempt status. The Club provides the Sheltie fancier opportunities for competition in the breed (or conformation) ring and the obedience ring, and otherwise promotes organized purebred dog activities benefiting the Shetland Sheepdog. Equally important, the Club serves as an educational vehicle for member and interested Sheltie fanciers within the greater Washington, D. C. area. In conducting these functions, its members are bound to uphold high standards of ethical conduct and animal welfare.

History

The history of the Potomac Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club, Inc. is a remarkable one of "grass roots" development. The Club originated with a small group of Sheltie owners with varying exposure to the breed, but with an interest in self-improvement and the welfare of the Shelties as a breed. While some of this group had champion shelties and small, quality breeding programs, there was no dominant "father figure" and no follower-group-rather a community of coequal fanciers eager to learn, volunteer, and work together. This heritage is now a characteristic of the thriving club, which in a few short years has greatly increased the educational and competitive opportunities available to the area Sheltie fanciers.

The Club was founded in late 1971 by a group of seven individuals, and meetings were held in private homes. Gradually, meeting times and places were regularized, a public meeting place selected, and (in June, 1972) the first formal election of officers was held. Application was made to the American Kennel Club for recognition-resulting in the approval of the Club's name, development of an AKC model Constitution and By-laws, and specification of the Club's primary area of operation (within 25 air miles of the Club meeting place, then in Alexandria, Virginia; in essence, the greater Washington, DC area). The Club's first "AKC sanctioned" match was held (the first step toward authorization to give official shows) in February 1975; and, currently the Club successfully holds its annual Specialty Show in March and its annual BOB sanctioned match in the summer.

As the Club developed, membership rapidly grew from the initial small group of fanciers to a membership which includes nationally know "Sheltie people", locally active breeder-exhibitors, and complete novices. The Club now has several members who also belong to the national American Shetland Sheepdog Association. Some members have written articles and/or served as editors for national breed publications-participating alongside members who have had a single Sheltie for less than one year. Club programs have brought some of the most prominent people in the breed to the Washington area to share their expertise. Club shows and matches have obtained well-known breeder-exhibitors as conformation and obedience judges, providing new opportunities for competition under highly qualified individuals.

Thus only a few years from its birth, the Potomac Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club, Inc. is now a thoroughly "established" organization and has been favorably compared by many guests, judges, and observers with other, longer existing, show-giving dog clubs. It remains, however, a "members club"-based upon the enthusiasm of sincere Shelties fanciers with a wide range of background and experience.

Club Management

Executive direction of the Club is provided by a nine-member Board of volunteer Directors. In addition to the Board, there are over half a dozen standing committee positions for various functions (e.g. Ways & Means, Library, Newsletter, Hospitality and Program). Positions for special events, including shows and matches, are frequently filled by members not serving in other positions. There is a continuing turnover in responsible positions and a new member's activities are restricted only by their interest and willingness to undertake a given job. The spirit of the Club is that "we are all in this together", and each activity is undertaken with a sense of obligation to the general membership and to the betterment of the breed.

Activities

The Club sponsors numerous activities for members and area Sheltie fanciers. The Club year is highlighted by American Kennel Club sanctioned Specialty Show and Obedience Train in the spring and it BOB match in the summer. These activities, limited to Shelties only, include a full range of exhibition activities-breed, obedience, and junior showmanship trials. With over 100 entries at a typical event, a Potomac Valley show or match is the largest "gathering of the Sheltie clan" in the greater Washington, DC area. In addition the Club usually sponsors an annual family picnic and fun match, and an annual Christmas party in December.

The Club conducts meetings every month except April, September, and December. The Club offers an educational program following the short regular business meeting. Past programs have included presentations by nationally prominent Sheltie breeders, numerous film/slide shows on the Sheltie, programs on obedience, presentations of dog health and medical subjects, programs on dog legislation, and many other topics.

The Club provides opportunities to purchase books, pamphlets, grooming aids, show leads, choke chains and other items through its Ways & Means Committee. For its members, the Club maintains an extensive lending library on Sheltie and other dog-related topics. An excellent newsletter is also produced for its members. Information about shows, matches and other dog events is usually available at each meeting

Public Service

The Club undertakes a vigorous public service program. A major part of this program has been the sponsorship of clinics, open to both members and nonmembers. Eye examination clinics conducted by a nationally-known specialist in canine eye problems, have been one of the special events, contributing to prevention of large scale problems through clearing breeding stock and alerting breeders to problem cases. In addition, the Club has offered a tattoo clinic, an inexpensive precaution against dog theft or loss. The Club has sponsored a Heart Worm Clinic in the early spring. The Club sponsors a Sheltie Rescue Service to assist abandoned Shelties in the greater Washington, DC area to find a new home. Another function once offered was a program of educational activities directed towards school children. The Club has sponsored grooming clinics, whereby the best Sheltie groomers come and give a two day, hands-on training program for members and their dogs.

The Potomac Valley Club and You

The Club exists to serve all local Sheltie owners and fanciers, members and nonmembers alike. For those interested only in pet ownership, the Club is available to provide information helpful in selecting a new pet or to answer questions arising from owning a Sheltie.

For the novice Sheltie fancier curious about the pleasures of dog ownership beyond simply having a pet, the Potomac Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club, Inc. is an introduction to the "organized dog world". Through the Club, the novice can discover what is entailed in showing his or her Sheltie, can gain exposure to the growing sport of obedience or agility competition, can participate in herding instinct trials, or can learn of the special responsibilities and challenges of selectively breeding quality purebred dogs. Many a novice pet owner has come to find the organized hobby and sport of purebred dogs a source of personal enjoyment, an outlet for the competitive spirit, and a path to new and rewarding friendships. The Club stands ready to help the novice explore this new world. For the experienced Sheltie fancier in breed or obedience activities, the Club is both an opportunity to share knowledge and expertise with others and to develop further one's own capabilities. It is also an opportunity to strengthen the local organized fancy-to build and improve match and show opportunities, to help upgrade the quality of area Shelties, and to fulfill one's obligations as a responsible breeder/exhibitor to improve the breed.

Meeting and New Memberships

Visitors and potential members are always welcome at meetings. New members are welcome provided they are able and willing to attend, participate in, and contribute their time and effort to Club activities; as well as abide by its Code of Ethics. Contact any current board member for meeting details and membership application procedures.