The South African Dachshund Club was founded in 1939 and it was on Wednesday, November 15th, of that year that the first meeting was held at the Vanguard Club, Manor Mansions, Jeppe Street, Johannesburg. The first Committee was formed and the members were: Mrs. MA Humphreys (Chairman), Mrs. E. Gans (Secretary/Treasurer), Mrs. E.G. Ashley, Mrs. I. Saunders and Mrs. H. Wackrill. The annual subscription fee was set at 10/6d.
A "Constitution of Rules" was drawn up on 1 December 1939, based on the Rules of the Scottish Dachshund Club, but adjusted to suit South African conditions. It was also agreed at this meeting that the Club would be known as THE SOUTH AFRICAN DACHSHUND CLUB. The "Constitution of Rules" was finalised on 8 December 1939 and a copy was sent to Cape Town for approval. At a meeting held on 26 January 1940 we learn that the "Constitution of Rules" had been approved and that THE SOUTH AFRICAN DACHSHUND CLUB "is now affiliated to The South African Kennel Union of Cape Town".
The objectives of the Club were:
A "Constitution of Rules" was drawn up on 1 December 1939, based on the Rules of the Scottish Dachshund Club, but adjusted to suit South African conditions. It was also agreed at this meeting that the Club would be known as THE SOUTH AFRICAN DACHSHUND CLUB. The "Constitution of Rules" was finalised on 8 December 1939 and a copy was sent to Cape Town for approval. At a meeting held on 26 January 1940 we learn that the "Constitution of Rules" had been approved and that THE SOUTH AFRICAN DACHSHUND CLUB "is now affiliated to The South African Kennel Union of Cape Town".
The objectives of the Club were:
1.To encourage the breeding and improvement of the Dachshund in South Africa,
2.To accept the recognised Standard of this breed and to urge its adoption upon Breeders, Judges and Exhibitors, and
3.To offer Cups, Trophies and Special Prizes for competition among Members and others at Championship and other Shows.
2.To accept the recognised Standard of this breed and to urge its adoption upon Breeders, Judges and Exhibitors, and
3.To offer Cups, Trophies and Special Prizes for competition among Members and others at Championship and other Shows.
The Club held its first Match Meeting (the term used for an Open Show at the time) at Zoo Lake on 3 February 1940 in conjunction with the Short-legged Terrier Club. The judge was Mrs. Margaret Humphreys and 39 dogs of different varieties competed for top honours. Mrs. I. Saunders's Smooth-haired, JEWEL OF AUDLEY PARK, was judged Best Dog on Show. The second place went to Mrs. E.G. Ashley's Long-haired, WIMBORNE EBBO, and the third place was awarded to Mrs. E. Gans's Miniature Smooth-haired, EVA OF SHOTTS. The judge's comment on the latter exhibit was very interesting: "...very promising, the first I have seen in South Africa."
At the Annual General Meeting in 1940, it was agreed that the Club would continue with its activities for the duration of the war and that all members would be on the Committee "to keep in closer touch with each other"! Meetings were, however, only to be held quarterly. This resolution did not last for the full period of the war and by 1944 the Committee had started to meet more frequently. Match Meetings had also been held during the war years in conjunction with the Doberman Pinscher Club, the Gundog Club and the South African Bulldog Club.
During the post-war years the Committee worked with renewed energy towards recognition for excellence in all three coat varieties and, in her book on the Long-haired in South Africa, Jane Lowson states the following: "On 8 July 1950, at the DURBAN AND DISTRICTS KENNEL CLUB SILVER CUP SHOW and the Club's third Annual Championship Show, separate C.C.'s were awarded for Long-haired Dachshunds, Smooth-haired Dachshunds and Wire-haired Dachshunds for the first time. The judge was Mr. J.C. Powell. This was brought about mainly by the efforts of The South African Dachshund Club."
At a Committee meeting on 22 August 1961 it was minuted that the 4th issue of the Newsletter had been approved and we must therefore assume that the first issue appeared in 1960. The Club's Constitution was revised in January 1962 and the new Constitution was approved at a Special General Meeting held on 26 February 1962. At the Annual General Meeting of the same year, the Club elected its first Patron and President. These honours were bestowed on Mrs. Bridget Oppenheimer and Mr. A.W. Macey respectively. Mrs. I. Saunders became the first Vice-President to be elected by the Club. The year 1962 seems to have been one of great innovation for the Club: The minutes reflect that the design for the Club badge had been approved and that the badges had been ordered. We also glean that a booklet, containing the Constitution and Breed Standard, had been printed and distributed to members. At the Annual General Meeting the following year, Mr. J.C. Powell was elected President, an office he held till 1968
At a Committee meeting on 22 August 1961 it was minuted that the 4th issue of the Newsletter had been approved and we must therefore assume that the first issue appeared in 1960. The Club's Constitution was revised in January 1962 and the new Constitution was approved at a Special General Meeting held on 26 February 1962. At the Annual General Meeting of the same year, the Club elected its first Patron and President. These honours were bestowed on Mrs. Bridget Oppenheimer and Mr. A.W. Macey respectively. Mrs. I. Saunders became the first Vice-
HISTORY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN DACHSHUND CLUB