ABOUT-US

Wilmington Kennel Club History

The Kennel Club of Wilmington was founded in 1935 by a small select group of dog enthusiasts from the Wilmington, Delaware area. From 1935 through 1941 a benched show was held each October on the estate of Club President S. Hallock duPont. Eighty years ago, on March 8, 1938 The Kennel Club of Wilmington, as it was then named, was recognized by the American Kennel Club. Mr. duPont was elected the clubs first AKC delegate.

1943: The show was cancelled due to WWW II

1948: The Club was renamed and incorporated as the Wilmington Kennel Club

1949: The point show was moved to spring and held on the grounds of the Hercules Power Company Farms

1953: The first Obedience Trial was offered in conjunction with the point show

1956 through 1985: The point show was held at Delaware Park. 1956 was the last year it was benched.

1986 through 1990: The point show was held at Concord High School grounds

1991 through 1996: The point show was moved to Fair Hill Fairgrounds and then to Fort Washington, PA

1999 until today: The point show moved back to Delaware and has been held at Lum’s Pond State Park in Bear, Delaware for a decade.

1999: The club created a home base at 2035 Sunset Lake Road in Newark, Delaware for all club activities. Training classes and educational activities were now possible for activities on a year round basis. Wilmington Kennel Club became one of the few kennel clubs on the Eastern Seaboard to have full access to indoor spacing 365 days a year.

1999 through 2003: The club held numerous seminars including handling clinics with experts such as George Alston and Pat Trotter. The club also held an AKC Obedience Seminar, Canine Good Citizen Test, Microchip/Tattoo Clinic, Monthly Show and Go’s , Agility “A” Match and annual Health Clinic. The Agility Trials were held for the first time at Lum’s Pond State Park.

2009 and 2010: The Club had Penn Treaty KC join WKC to create three days of shows and Obedience Trials. The Club began indoor Obedience Trials. On the community partnership side WKC donated a new K-9 Officer to the New Castle County Police Department.

About

The Wilmington Kennel Club is an organization that advocates for the dog as a family companion. We love dogs and we want families to have fun with their dogs while practicing responsible dog ownership.

Goals

To create, promote and execute learning experiences while families have fun with their dogs
To provide show handling, agility, rally, obedience and other classes that welcome all dogs
To host annual sanctioned events and competitions for breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club
To promote the advancement of the sport of dogs
To provide resources and education to help with canine health and well-being
To educate and emphasize the importance of responsible dog ownership
To educate and emphasize the importance of responsible dog breeding
To participate in community activities to educate the general public in responsible dog ownership
To work with communities and legislators to promote and protect the dog
To sponsor a variety of seminars and clinics that are open to the public help to protect the rights of dog owner

Wilmington Kennel Club has been a proud supporter of the NCCo PD K9 Unit for more than 20 years and is proud to be able to give back to our community in this way. In 2021, in celebration of the K9 Unit’s 35th Anniversary, the Club sponsored a new K9 for NCCo PD. That donation qualified the Department to apply for a matching Grant through AKC Reunite’s Adopt a K9 Cop Grant Program – they received a matching grant and purchased a 2nd K9!