| About Us The Grand Island Kennel Club is an all breed club established in 1956. We offer dog training classes in conformation/showmanship as well as all levels of obedience from behavioral to show plus agility, rally, puppy socialization, and waterfowl retriever classes. Members volunteer their time and talents to the public as well as other members with affordable training classes in order to maintain our Club training facility in Grand Island, Nebraska. Call us at 308-385-4949 for more information on our Club and our training schedule. Board Meetings & General Meetings GIKC Board Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of each month. The meetings are held at the Kennel Clubhouse unless there is a conflict. Members are always welcome to attend. General Membership meetings are held periodically. |
| Grand Island Kennel Club |
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THE GRAND ISLAND KENNEL CLUB:
a NEBRASKA TRADITION
Over 50 years ago, a trio of mid-Nebraskans shared passion and a vision. They understood the
significant role dogs play in the lives of both individuals and communities, and they wanted to
share their expertise in training and exhibiting fine purebred dogs with others. As a result of
this group's efforts, the Grand Island Kennel Club (GIKC) was formed in 1959 and became a
non-profit (501-C) corporation in 1965. The Club received a generous donation of land,
including a lake, built a clubhouse, and families enjoyed camping, picnicking and fishing there
as well as working with their dogs. The building was a victim of the 1980 tornado, but it was
rebuilt in the same footprint as the original, and today is home to countless classes and other
activities.
The GIKC has been an important part of Grand Island and Hall County since its inception.
Community members realized that "A trained dog is a good dog", and brought their pets, farm
dogs and show dogs alike to the kennel club for obedience training, filling classes year after
year. Obedient dogs contribute to a safer community, and now dogs are even trained at the
club to certify as nationally recognized "Canine Good Citizens". Newer programs such as rally
and agility provide a fun, healthy activity for dog-owners of all ages. Of course, top quality
purebred dogs continue to be trained to compete in conformation shows, and some GIKC dogs
have achieved national prominence for their local breeders and owners.
Working with area youth was always important for the club, especially through 4-H. GIKC
members have helped hundreds of 4-H'ers train, exhibit and learn to care for their dogs, offering
a wholesome environment and positive role models regardless of the social or political
challenges of each decade. Whether learning how to train the family pet, working toward 4-H
goals, or competing at the highest national levels, young people have found a great start and
continuing support from the club.
The kennel club has a commitment to education to benefit children, adults, and of course their
dogs. Many canine-related educational programs have been held for the public over the years.
In addition, GIKC members have regularly taken dogs to school, Scout meetings, the Veterans
Home and nursing homes for demonstrations, and specially trained and certified dogs provide
comforting Hospice-based therapy. Kennel club members helped to found the Central Nebraska
Humane Society in 1967, as well as the adjacent pet cemetery, which benefits people
throughout mid-Nebraska.
The GIKC has shared one of its original mandates, that of holding an AKC dog show and
obedience trial, with the community. These shows are a celebration of well-cared for and
trained purebred dogs and reflect a great deal of hard work and cooperation from the kennel
club members, which models good values to our young people. The kennel club has held 49
shows since 1965. Each show attracts exhibitors from all over the MidWest, who boost the
local economy by supporting hotels, restaurants, gas stations and shops. The shows also
provide free entertainment for local people, who get a chance to see the beautiful purebred
dogs that are being exhibited.
The Grand Island Kennel Club has been a valuable part of the community since 1959, quietly
helping to improve the quality of life for generations of people and their dogs. The Club hopes
that the next 50 years brings just as much value and enjoyment for generations to come.
a NEBRASKA TRADITION
Over 50 years ago, a trio of mid-Nebraskans shared passion and a vision. They understood the
significant role dogs play in the lives of both individuals and communities, and they wanted to
share their expertise in training and exhibiting fine purebred dogs with others. As a result of
this group's efforts, the Grand Island Kennel Club (GIKC) was formed in 1959 and became a
non-profit (501-C) corporation in 1965. The Club received a generous donation of land,
including a lake, built a clubhouse, and families enjoyed camping, picnicking and fishing there
as well as working with their dogs. The building was a victim of the 1980 tornado, but it was
rebuilt in the same footprint as the original, and today is home to countless classes and other
activities.
The GIKC has been an important part of Grand Island and Hall County since its inception.
Community members realized that "A trained dog is a good dog", and brought their pets, farm
dogs and show dogs alike to the kennel club for obedience training, filling classes year after
year. Obedient dogs contribute to a safer community, and now dogs are even trained at the
club to certify as nationally recognized "Canine Good Citizens". Newer programs such as rally
and agility provide a fun, healthy activity for dog-owners of all ages. Of course, top quality
purebred dogs continue to be trained to compete in conformation shows, and some GIKC dogs
have achieved national prominence for their local breeders and owners.
Working with area youth was always important for the club, especially through 4-H. GIKC
members have helped hundreds of 4-H'ers train, exhibit and learn to care for their dogs, offering
a wholesome environment and positive role models regardless of the social or political
challenges of each decade. Whether learning how to train the family pet, working toward 4-H
goals, or competing at the highest national levels, young people have found a great start and
continuing support from the club.
The kennel club has a commitment to education to benefit children, adults, and of course their
dogs. Many canine-related educational programs have been held for the public over the years.
In addition, GIKC members have regularly taken dogs to school, Scout meetings, the Veterans
Home and nursing homes for demonstrations, and specially trained and certified dogs provide
comforting Hospice-based therapy. Kennel club members helped to found the Central Nebraska
Humane Society in 1967, as well as the adjacent pet cemetery, which benefits people
throughout mid-Nebraska.
The GIKC has shared one of its original mandates, that of holding an AKC dog show and
obedience trial, with the community. These shows are a celebration of well-cared for and
trained purebred dogs and reflect a great deal of hard work and cooperation from the kennel
club members, which models good values to our young people. The kennel club has held 49
shows since 1965. Each show attracts exhibitors from all over the MidWest, who boost the
local economy by supporting hotels, restaurants, gas stations and shops. The shows also
provide free entertainment for local people, who get a chance to see the beautiful purebred
dogs that are being exhibited.
The Grand Island Kennel Club has been a valuable part of the community since 1959, quietly
helping to improve the quality of life for generations of people and their dogs. The Club hopes
that the next 50 years brings just as much value and enjoyment for generations to come.