SCHOOLEY'S MOUNTAIN KENNEL CLUB

(A Brief History )

Schooley's Mountain Kennel Club began life over forty years ago when a group of dog fanciers and breeders gathered at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Geurin on November 11, 1960. The first order of business that night was to establish a dog handling class. It would begin on Monday, November 21, 1960 at the Municipal Building in Long Valley, NJ. They called themselves the Tri-County Show Training Club.

The name Tri-County Show Training Club lasted only until January of 1961 when the name Schooley's Mountain Kennel Club was adopted and has remained ever since. The show handling classes have continued to this day thanks to the work and inspiration of its first instructor - Reinhard Stumpf.

Reinhard Stumpf was a handler of Newfoundlands. He volunteered his time and services to the club at that first meeting and was granted an honorary membership. From that first Monday night in 1960 to the last class in April of 1963 he was the only handling instructor. When he died in June of 1963, one week after winning a car in a raffle, the club decided to name a scholarship in his honor - The Reinhard Stumpf Memorial Fund. This scholarship still operates today and is given on a yearly basis to a third or fourth year veterinary student who is a resident of New Jersey.

In 1963 and 1964 the club hired Erik Thomee as an instructor for the handling classes and paid him 40% of its monthly income from the classes. During the next season a rotating system of club members as instructors began. But gradually from this rotation emerged one instructor - Mickey Cooke. From 1965 until the spring of 1994 Mickey Cooke and the handling classes became the backbone of Schooley's Mountain Kennel Club. Mickey inspired in each of his students, adults and most especially Junior Handlers, a self-confidence that was not only evident when they handled their dogs in a show ring, but carried over as lessons in their every day lives.

The year 1962 saw the beginning of SMKCs first Fun Match and evolved into its first AKC Sanctioned Breed and Obedience Match in 1964. In 1965 the club began to hold two AKC Sanctioned Matches, one in June and the second in October. In 1966 the club began negotiating with the AKC to hold its first A-Match, and it was not until the early 1970's that approval was finally given. In 1975 the club held its first AKC Sanctioned point show. In 1964 the club became a not-for-profit corporation of the state of New Jersey. SMKC joined the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs, Inc., in 1968 as a founding member.

The Schooley's Mountain Kennel Club is a bit different from most others. The club members have always prided themselves on being real working club members. Everything from raking, mowing, lining the field, baking brownies, self-superintending and even providing food for exhibitors at a Match Show one year, SMKC members have provided exhibitors with a little something extra at our shows - a personal touch. The point show is held traditionally on Labor Day with its Match Show held in January.

Schooley's Mountain Kennel Club holds its meetings on the third Tuesday of every month, except December, at Frank’s Pizzeria, Route 206 in Flanders.

The handling classes are held Friday nights at Morris K-9 Campus in Randolph from mid September until the last week in April with a break over Christmas. All these activities are open to the public, so please come by and look us over.