Club History
The Western Michigan Bulldog Club's first formal meeting was held Nov. 21, 1992 at the Eastern Avenue Hall – 506 Eastern Ave. NE, at Grand Rapids, Michigan.Mary McIntyre, Doris Leatherman, Teri McMahon were the founders of the club.
Charter members were Grace and Ray Kryger, Lynne Boshoven, Gordon and Phyllis Coller, Phil and Beth Handrick, Pat Host, Jody Silsby, Karen McNeil, Diane Black, Mary McIntyre, Teri McMahon, Kelly McIntyre, Mark VanNoord, Julie Enslow, Paul and Sarah Hreha, Daryl and Valerie Hoffmeyer, Eleanor Garrison, Renee Brandon, Joe Brandon, Toni Jones and Katherine and Ronald Cannell.
The first puppy match was held April 19, 1994. The first AKC-approved B-match was held Oct. 22, 1994, at Allendale, Michigan. Entry fees were just $5.00
The very first WMBC annual specialty show was held on May 2, 1997, at the Kalamazoo Kennel Club Building in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The entry was more than 100 Bulldogs with a $14 entry fee. The club also offered an Obedience Trial and Jr. Handling competition.
From the first day when the club formed there has always been a tremendous team effort. The success of the WMBC’s specialty shows continues to grow. The club’s specialty entry has pulled more than 100 Bulldogs every year for the last 10 years.
Officers
President
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President
Secretary
Jeane TerHaar
5711 - 138th Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
269-751-8166
Treasurer
Board of Directors
Breed Advisor
Rescue Coordinator
Featured with the specialty shows are Leatherman’s pig roast, Jeane TerHaar’s hand-etched glassware trophies, custom judge’s gifts artwork, a members' banquet and entertainment with Phyllis Coller.
In October 1999, WMBC combined with the Illiana Bulldog Club, which is located in northwest Indiana, to sponsor a back-to- back specialty show weekend in Berrien Springs, Michigan. In April 2000, the WMBC began its own two-day, specialty show weekend in the Kalamazoo Kennel Club Building in Kalamazoo.
WMBC has members from the western Michigan and southwest Michigan areas, including the surrounding Grand Rapids area as well as Holland, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, South Haven, Muskegon, Lansing, Michigan’s UP, as well as Ontario, Canada.
The club meets on the second Saturday of each month in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at Tommy Brann’s Restaurant or Family Friends Veterinary Hospital.
As of July, 2007, the club membership was 52. During the first year of the club's existence in 1997 there were only 20-25 members.
Submitted by Jeane TerHaar, secretary.