The Early Years

THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHICAGO SUBURBAN CAIRN TERRIER CLUB

Written by Gerald A. Klein, Acknowledged Founder of the C/SCTC

During the year 1967, an Illinois breeder, of Cairn Terrier Terriers, printed a questionnaire and directed it by mail to all the Cairn Terrier breeders, owners and exhibitors in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area. It was a simple form, having a brief statement as to its intent and purpose, and having but three (3) questions.

"Would you be interested in, and support a local breed club for the Cairn Terrier?"

"Would you support a local Cairn Terrier fun match?"

"Do you know anyone that might be interested in joining a local club and participating in a fun match?"

Response to this questionnaire was very encouraging. The Illinois and Wisconsin Cairn Terrier people were anxious for this activity and more than willing sponsors of a breed club.

The next step was taken at a local show when the Cairn Terrier exhibitors got together after the judging. The possibility of having a breed club and fun match was presented, and the work involved in getting started was discussed. At this time the prime purpose of starting a club was set aside, and the decision made by this group was to just have several fun matches in order to see how much support there was before starting a club. Only those breeders and exhibitors that could give their best efforts and had some knowledge to offer made up this original group.

Future meeting dates were set; some were scheduled for after judging at local shows but most were held in the homes of the members. These meetings were, more or less, on an irregular basis. More frequent meetings were held after the date was set for our first fun match. Committees were formed and reports had to be made. We tried to keep in mind that this was going to be an annual function, and the organization of a breed club, eventually with members that could work together in putting on a show, was very important. A member offered his home and grounds for the fun match. Another member, who was an A.K.C. licensed Cairn Terrier Judge, was asked to judge this match.

The name for this activity was a problem in that we did not want to call it a match since we were not acting as a club yet. Most of the support was coming from Illinois but we also had Wisconsin people involved. We planned on having a grooming clinic and a handling class, along with serving a luncheon, so the decision was to call it the Mid-West Cairn Terrier Fun-Fest.

The complete account of this original Fun-Fest, and the subsequent year's activities, having already been sent to the A.K.C., showed the results of our original efforts. The photostatic copies of all records, match catalogs, minutes of meetings, etc., are on file with the A.K.C. under the name of the Mid-West Cairn Terrier Fun-Fest.

During all of these years we tried to conduct ourselves in a manner fitting for a Breed Club, but it wasn't until 1973 that we made the decision to contact A.K.C. and report our past activities. Our original group had grown and the time had come that we felt that we had generated enough enthusiasm to effectively run an organization, as a club for the Cairn Terrier, sanctioned by the A.K.C.

As our club's records show, we conducted our matches on the A.K.C. rules for a "Plan B Match II," and the membership was familiar with these regulations. All of our judges, and in some cases the judge's guests, commented on how well run our fun matches were. We always tried to give that little extra for a professionally planned show, as if being run by a licensed superintendent.

Previous to 1973 the members felt that we might fail in an effort to start a club. We were also afraid that we might be promoting the single Cairn Terrier owner/exhibitor into thinking that it was necessary to become a breeder. By their association with us, they had learned what it meant to study bloodlines, interpretation of the standard, etc., and if they were to try breeding, they would be doing so for the betterment of the breed.

Our early groups held activities other than matches. There were "Educational Seminars", where we showed movies on whelping, movement, etc., and had speakers on various subjects. We had grooming clinics and taught, by example, and by encouraging active participation. One of our biggest successes was a training school for puppies. We rented a school gym and asked everyone to bring their puppies and children, pack a box lunch, and spend the day with the puppies going through their paces, while the children made the noises only children make when turned loose to play in a school gym.

After receiving the A.K.C. list of requirements for new clubs, we met on a regular basis and drew up our club's Constitution and By-Laws based on the sample A.K.C. sent us. On October 23, 1973, this Constitution was approved with the amendment that our Board of Governors meet every other month, as a good basis for the management of our club.

Renaming of our group was necessary in order to have an area designated name. Our club was meeting to plan the 6th annual fun match and it was voted on, and passed, that we conduct our match under the name of the Northern Illinois Cairn Terrier Club. This name, along with two other choices, that were selected, were forwarded to A.K.C. for consideration. Our 2nd choice was acceptable and henceforth we have conduct ourselves under the name of THE CHICAGO/SUBURBAN CAIRN TERRIER CLUB.

Serious consideration was given to the Charter Membership List. Our hard working members were reminded to keep in mind that we were now functioning as a club and as such, had definite responsibilities and programming according to A.K.C. rules and regulations. The final list of Charter Members were only those people that truly wished to belong to, and work for, a Breed Club. In most cases both husband and wife were listed. In two families we had the husband, wife and son/daughter (over 18). This was brought about by the fact that our Constitution only provided for Regular Members and no provision was made for joint members.

Along with the completion of the A.K.C.'s new club requirements, we started plans for our next match. We were very fortunate in being able to have a breeder-judge available on June 15, 1974. A motion was made and passed that the Club hold its seventh annual match on that date. The membership wanted this match to be our first sanctioned A.K.C. Plan B-match, and our goals were to complete the requirements for new clubs in time for this sanction.

So this was the beginning History of the Chicago/Suburban Cairn Terrier Club. The future plans started with the passing of a motion to hold the next match on the June 15th, 1974 date. Also the program chairman had arranged for speakers, movies, etc., scheduled for meetings in 1974. Another "Educational Seminar" was also in the beginning stages, along with handling classes and grooming sessions. We wanted to have another puppy training day in 1975.

The membership had expressed a desire to publish a "Club Year Book" to advertise studs, kennels, special wins, etc. Our ultimate goal was for our Specialty and Futurity. All these ideas had been tested for the past six years, plus several new ideas, are were coming to life with the CHICAGO/SUBURBAN CAIRN TERRIER CLUB. So, is how it all began.

Gerald A. Klein, Founder