Objectives
The objectives of this club shall be: to advance the best interest of the purebred dogs and dog fanciers in all matters; to emphasize the value of pure breeding; to create and further an appreciation on the part of all members and the public of the value of purebred and registered dogs; to encourage, support and conduct Dog Shows, Agility Trials and Obedience/Rally Trials under the rules of the American Kennel Club.
Roanoke Kennel Club Board Members
About our Members
Roanoke Kennel Club members have been involved prominently in the world of purebred and companion dogs. Dr. Tom A. Kirk and his wife Evelyn were top breeders of Scottish Terriers. From the 1960’s through the 1990’s, Dr. Kirk was also a well-known and well-respected judge who was even invited to judge the prestigious AKC Centennial show in Philadelphia in 1984. His son Allen Kirk was Best Junior handler at the famous Westminster Kennel Club show in 1960.
Long-time member and past president Marlene Halsey showed top winning dogs at Westminster and in Crufts, England starting in the 1960’s. In addition, she was invited to Japan to judge a Pomeranian specialty in the 1990’s. She was also a past president of the Professional Handlers Association. Bill Totten, another past president, owned one of the top winning Norwegian Elkhounds during the 1980’s, shown by Bert Halsey.
One of our newer members, Dee Duffy, was a co-breeder of the illustrious Sussex spaniel CH Clusexx Three D Grinchy Glee, better known as “Stump,” who was Best in Show at the 2009 Westminster KC dog show at the ripe old age of 10.
Charlie and Billie Kerfoot are breeders of the 2012 # 2 dog all breeds GCH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova. Peyton, an English springer spaniel garnered 82 Bests in Show and won BOB and Sporting Group 3 at the Westminster KC shows in 2012 and 2013. He is co-owned with their daughter, Erin who was a top junior handler. In 2015, the Kerfoots' English Springer Spaniel GCH. Wynmoor Sweetgrass White Diamonds won the Sporting Group at the Westminster Kennel Club show! In 1996 Erin placed 3rd in the prestigious junior showmanship competition at Westminster and in 1998, she was the #2 junior handler all breeds in the country.
Several other members are well known breeders with top winning dogs in both conformation and performance – Sue and Doug Tolbert, MaSue Boxers; Karen and Rick Mulkearn, Gnawed Shoes Irish Water Spaniels; Sue See, Kizmet Poodles. In addition, Betsy Richards worked tirelessly to promote one of the new breeds, the Berger Picard, which will be accepted into the AKC breeds in 2015.
In the area of performance, Kaffa Shank’s shelties and Teri Partington’s English springer spaniels are among the top agility dogs. And Dr. Kim Noel and Dr. Mark Wadstrom have had several of their golden retrievers trained by St. Francis of Assisi to become service dogs.
The Roanoke Kennel Club is also aware of its responsibility to the community to promote the welfare of companion dogs as well as show dogs. The Roanoke Kennel Club is proud to support many local organizations such as the SPCA and St. Francis Service Dog Association, and the Guide Dog Foundation. In addition, we are avid supporters of the Virginia Maryland Regional Veterinary Hospital at VA Tech. We have also donated money to provide vests for K-9 officers and pet respirators for the fire department, and have supported the Search and Rescue Team. We offer conformation handling classes and hold a conformation show in August. At these shows we promote performance events such as dock diving and barn hunting activities. We support obedience and offer obedience and rally trials in May and October. We are also advocates for dogs, fighting against breed specific legislation and laws which would unfairly restrict breeding and dog ownership. Many of our members are also active in the rescue programs of their specific breeds.
Interested individuals are always welcome at the Club's monthly meeting.
Long-time member and past president Marlene Halsey showed top winning dogs at Westminster and in Crufts, England starting in the 1960’s. In addition, she was invited to Japan to judge a Pomeranian specialty in the 1990’s. She was also a past president of the Professional Handlers Association. Bill Totten, another past president, owned one of the top winning Norwegian Elkhounds during the 1980’s, shown by Bert Halsey.
One of our newer members, Dee Duffy, was a co-breeder of the illustrious Sussex spaniel CH Clusexx Three D Grinchy Glee, better known as “Stump,” who was Best in Show at the 2009 Westminster KC dog show at the ripe old age of 10.
Charlie and Billie Kerfoot are breeders of the 2012 # 2 dog all breeds GCH Wynmoor Champagne Supernova. Peyton, an English springer spaniel garnered 82 Bests in Show and won BOB and Sporting Group 3 at the Westminster KC shows in 2012 and 2013. He is co-owned with their daughter, Erin who was a top junior handler. In 2015, the Kerfoots' English Springer Spaniel GCH. Wynmoor Sweetgrass White Diamonds won the Sporting Group at the Westminster Kennel Club show! In 1996 Erin placed 3rd in the prestigious junior showmanship competition at Westminster and in 1998, she was the #2 junior handler all breeds in the country.
Several other members are well known breeders with top winning dogs in both conformation and performance – Sue and Doug Tolbert, MaSue Boxers; Karen and Rick Mulkearn, Gnawed Shoes Irish Water Spaniels; Sue See, Kizmet Poodles. In addition, Betsy Richards worked tirelessly to promote one of the new breeds, the Berger Picard, which will be accepted into the AKC breeds in 2015.
In the area of performance, Kaffa Shank’s shelties and Teri Partington’s English springer spaniels are among the top agility dogs. And Dr. Kim Noel and Dr. Mark Wadstrom have had several of their golden retrievers trained by St. Francis of Assisi to become service dogs.
The Roanoke Kennel Club is also aware of its responsibility to the community to promote the welfare of companion dogs as well as show dogs. The Roanoke Kennel Club is proud to support many local organizations such as the SPCA and St. Francis Service Dog Association, and the Guide Dog Foundation. In addition, we are avid supporters of the Virginia Maryland Regional Veterinary Hospital at VA Tech. We have also donated money to provide vests for K-9 officers and pet respirators for the fire department, and have supported the Search and Rescue Team. We offer conformation handling classes and hold a conformation show in August. At these shows we promote performance events such as dock diving and barn hunting activities. We support obedience and offer obedience and rally trials in May and October. We are also advocates for dogs, fighting against breed specific legislation and laws which would unfairly restrict breeding and dog ownership. Many of our members are also active in the rescue programs of their specific breeds.
Interested individuals are always welcome at the Club's monthly meeting.
Code of Ethics
Click to read the Roanoke Kennel Club code of ethics.