About Us
Club History
In The Beginning
In 1999 Cheryl Edwards of Bowery Kennels and Margaret Johnson of Elysianfield Kennels met at a show in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was here that both women discussed the need of a National breed club in Canada for the Parson Russell Terrier. Thus the birth of the Association of Parson Russell Terrier Fanciers began.
They began to contact owners and breeders across Canada who thought would have the same vision of the breed finally becoming a recognized breed with the Canadian Kennel Club. They modeled the club after other existing CKC breed clubs, and the following were composed of the first executive.
President – Dr. Tom Edwards (Ontario)
Vice President – Sylvie Verdon (Quebec)
Secretary – Ron Johnson (Ontario)
Treasurer – Susan Crawford (Ontario)
Public Relations – Cheryl Edwards (Ontario)
Newsletter – Margaret Johnson (Ontario)
Membership Secretary – Lorraine Gemmiti
Directors – Atlantic Canada – Bev Embley
British Columbia – Gail Davies
Ontario – Norm Tuckey
Prairies - Tina Stone
Since the Canadian Kennel Club does not currently register the Parson Russell Terrier except in the Miscellaneous group, the APRTF have an agreement with the CKC and the American Kennel Club to register litters produced from two AKC registered animals born in Canada. This works out fine for breeders in Canada, but someday we hope to be registered with our own club the CKC.
In 2003, a referendum vote was held by the membership of the Canadian Kennel Club. The results were to accept the Parson Russell Terrier for full registration in Canada. But, as of now, the breed is still the review of Agriculture Canada. We will remain on the list of miscellaneous breeds until we are approved by Agriculture Canada. The Canadian Kennel Club then moved to change the bylaws to allow the breed to show in CKC approved events as of September 1, 2006.
2006 to Now
As of September 1, 2006, the Parson Russell Terrier has been allowed to take part in all Canadian Kennel Club official events. Even though we as a breed is still in the Miscellaneous Group, we take part in Group 4 (Terriers) at all CKC events. The first female to earn points toward a Canadian Championship was Am/Can Ch. Rednock Honey Bunch owned by David and Susan Crawford (Foxbend Kennels) and bred by Christiane Lindenburg-Beste.
The first male Parson Russell to win a championship in Canada was Am/Can. Ch. Shea’s Full House, aka “Chip” owned by Kyle and Gail Caudle (Caudlewood Kennels). Not as exciting, but myself Addison White and Ron Dunn had the privilege of being the first exhibit of a Parson Russell Terrier in any ring in Canada with Trumphill My Name Is Zoey. Even though “Zoey” did not complete her Championship, she is the #1 Queen in our house.
Am/Can. Ch. Dobella's Quidam was the first Parson Russell Terrier to place in Group 4 in Canada and the first Parson to win Championship points at a CKC show. "Quidam" is bred and owned by Claude Paquette of Quebec. Another first occurred on May 5, 2007 when Am/Can. Ch. Deldare Pulp Fiction won the first ever Group 1st win in Canada at the Moncton Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show held in Moncton, New Brunswick. “Pappy” again owned by David and Susan Crawford and is bred by Gary Koeppel and Brenda Koeppel. We all now wait with baited breath to have a Parson Russell Terrier win that elusive Best in Show. We are however, looking forward to our first National Specialty Show, to be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2010, pending approval.
In The Beginning Edited W. Addison White, Scotiafox Kennels with Special thanks to Margaret Johnson Elysianfield Registered Kennels
2006 to Now By W. Addison White, Scotiafox Kennels
