THE BRITISH BULLDOG CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

1912

Secretary Claxton, of the British Bulldog Club of South Australia, reports that the interest in the breed is steadily increasing and that 19 new members were enrolled during the past year. During December a bitch belonging to one of the numbers whelped a litter of 13 pups. The annual Smoke social will be held on February 14. (Evening Journal Sat 27 Jan 1912)

The British Bulldog Club held a social evening in the Exchange Hotel on Wednesday night. Mr. W. Perry presiding over a good attendance of members. Mr. F. W. Marshall, president of the South Australian Bulldog Club, proposed the toast The British Bulldog Club, and remarked that the members of his club and every bulldog fancier in the State congratulated the club on its progress, and wished it continued success. (Cheers) Mr. Perry suitably responded. Songs were contributed ty Messrs. Perry, Hayward, and McAloney, and an overture by Mr. W. Timms. A most enjoyable evening was spent. The annual smoke social will be held in about a fortnight’s time. (Daily Herald Thu 15 Feb 1912)

The second annual meeting of the British Bulldog Club of South Australia was held on Monday There was a good attendance, and it was decided to hold a smoke social. Most of the office-bearers for the past year were re-elected, and there was general satisfaction shown at the progress made It was decided to hold its monthly competitions, open to the members of the club, and Mr. Ritchie offered to provide certificates to be awarded to winners. (The Advertiser Thu 7 Mar 1912)

The British Bulldog Club men had a night out on Thursday evening, when they held their annual smoke social in the Exchange Hotel, Pirie Street. The secretary (Mr. M. Claxton) presented the second annual report, which showed that good work had been done during the past year. There had been an increase of 19 members, the total now being 67. There had been good attendances at all the monthly meetings, and the younger members had received instruction on the various points of the dog. The entries from the club at the Kennel Club’s show were not. so good, as at the preceding one. At the parade on October 21 15 bulldogs were shown which constituted a record for any specialist club in South Australia; The club was indebted io the officers for the good work they had done, and the interest they had shown, especially the patron and foundation members (Mr. A. W. Perry) and the chairman (Mi. W. B. Viney). Mr. T. C. Pierce submitted Kindred Clubs. He wished to point out that the club was not working in opposition to any

other club in the State. Mr. D. M. M- Hayward (secretary of the Malay Club) responded. He thought that if party feeling were dropped it would be much better for the specialist clubs of South Australia. Mr. M. Clapton toasted The Donors, to which Mr. G. Ritchie replied. Mr. Hayward submitted The British Bulldog Club, to which the chairman responded. A capital programme of songs, music, and recitations was carried out by Messrs. C. Thrush, W. G. McAloney, C. Tasker. E. Melvin, T. M. Bastard, W. Bennett. B. Coleman, Marshall Claxton. (Daily Herald Fri 15 Mar 1912)

The hon. secretary of the British Bulldog Chub of South Australia (Mr. M. Claxton) writes: At the usual monthly meeting of the club it was decided to hold the first competition for puppy bitches on the first Tuesday in May. The judging is to be done by the members present on standard points, and the four bitches drawn for the first evening are: Marble (Perry’s Stepping Stone—Kia Ora); Marble Maid (Perry’s Stepping Stone —Kia Ora), Maori Queen (Perry’s Stepping Stone—Kia Ora), and Balmayne Betty (Champion Sterling Peter—Woodbrook Peggy). The benching of puppy bitches will be continued in batches of four at the monthly meetings until this class is exhausted. (The Express and daily Telegraph Sat 27 Apr 1912)

At the monthly meeting of the British Bulldog Club on May 7 members spent an interesting and instructive evening judging on standard points. Four puppy bitches were brought up and adjudicated on by members, and after a keen contest Mr. Richardson’s Maori Queen (Perry Stepping Stone—Kia Ora) won by a margin of 3-1 points. Much enthusiasm was manifested, and there can be little doubt the system of judging adopted by the club will prove highly educational, since it will enable members to become acquainted in a practical manner with the good and faulty points of their dogs. The first object of the club is to improve the breed of the Bulldog and to foster that improvement in every possible way. The committee of the British Bulldog Club have arranged that the next batch of four dogs will come up to be judged on points on the first Monday in June. (The Express and Telegraph Sat 11 May 1912)

1913

Little has been heard of late concerning the British Bulldog Club of South Australia, but the society is planning out a vigorous campaign for the present year. It is understood that Mr. Henwood will again take up the secretarial duties. (The Express and Telegraph Sat 18 Jan 1913)

It appears that the British Bulldog Club of South Australia folded or became inactive as there are no further updates on Club activities in the period of 1913 to 1922.

In 1923 a new Bulldog Club was formed, also named the British Bulldog Club of South Australia but this was not the old BBCSA reformed, just the name reused. For the activities and the history of the 1923 BBCSA check out those pages from 1923 onwards.