SVDFA OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS 2023

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-- Author & date written unknown

The Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association (SVDFA) was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club as a "licensed club" in 1949 by founder, James Blood, who presided over Sacramento Kennel Club. Its sole purpose was as a "social club" and the membership held Match Shows to support Sacramento Kennel Club. This match show/social group continued to function and in 1990 and 1991 the club actively sought members with the intent of beginning to hold AKC Point Shows. There are but a handful of members still active with the club from that time, but as is often the case with the growth of membership, we experienced some discord. Happily, Ellen Haro stood up and was somehow able to muster the votes necessary to keep the club and the dogs, first; and those members that remained held the club's first AKC point show in 1992 - a Saturday only show with an entry of 900 or so, and expanded to back-to-back shows in October in 1994.

For that first show we had a treasury of $1,000 - BUT, we managed to keep our goals in sight and began a solid history of growth over the next 16 years; the Club still holds its back-to-back shows the last weekend in October. We now host a group of specialty shows on Friday (for breeds: Norwegian Elkhounds, Newfoundlands, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Maltese, Chihuahuas, Miniature Bull Terriers, and the two year old Northern California Herding Group Association) -- Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association also plays host for Earth Dog Trials and the much anticipated Halloween Dog Costume Contest that boasts over 40 entries! The club worked diligently and in 2006 were ranked 101 out of over 4500 AKC Point Conformation Events -- but NEVER have we sacrificed our camaraderie or resolve to keep service to the community and "the dog" first while having fun!

 SVDFA takes great pride in its ongoing tradition of community service. The club is an official "Friend of the Fair" in honor of our financial support in making the Dixon May Fairgrounds a highly desirable dog show venue . SVDFA also continues its philanthropy with various Rescue organizations, finding gifts for tragedies ...... Hurricane Katrina, Collie Rescue during a local disaster, the local flooding a few years back, and so on...... SVDFA has also donated scholarship money to UC-Davis, the Mercer Foundation, Take the Lead, the Canine Health Foundation; and during profitable years have managed to honor each of our members with donations to their favorite breed rescue.

SVDFA has remained a small group of members usually numbering about 20. It continues to operate much like any other family, agreeing and disagreeing but always, always keeping the club, its purpose and the dog first and foremost in our sight!