The Greater Gainesville Dog Fanciers' Association, Inc. is fully sanctioned and licensed by the American Kennel Club. The GGDFA is a diverse group of individuals with one thing in common: the love of our canine companions.
We are dog owners, breeders, handlers, and trainers who are interested in conformation, obedience, rally, agility, herding, tracking, lure coursing, junior showmanship, canine good citizen program, therapy and dog sports in general.
Denise
is a lifetime and charter member of GGDFA. Her love has always
been the Doberman Pincher. She has been President of the club
since 2013. A critical resource for the club. She brings to the
club great knowledge especially with performance dogs in
Obedience and Rally. She chairs the yearly shows for these
events and holds training classes each week.
My
first dog love was my family's collie. In the mid 60's I started
helping out with my aunts poodles and going to shows in Penna.
Got the "pug bug" when I moved to NJ and started working and
showing for a pug kennel. Moved to Fl. in the early 70's - when
in Melbourne was in the Brevard KC and served on the board.
Moved to Winter Haven and was in the Lakeland-Winter Haven Club
and served on that board. Move to Gainesville in 89 and joined
GGDFA and have been a member and board member for many years.
Gee How did I get so old !?!
Kathy
is also working on her biography, will be done shortly.
Doris
is working on her biography, will be done shortly.
After
falling in love with dogs through her local 4-H program in Ohio,
Elizabeth (Liz) Mignin transitioned to the world of dog showing
in middle school. She competed with her Chesapeake Bay Retriever
and Great Dane in conformation, Junior Showmanship, obedience,
rally obedience, dock diving, and agility throughout high
school, and frequently showed other Working and Sporting breeds
for friends. Liz loves all dogs, big and small, and she looks
forward to continuing her support for the American Kennel Club
in new ways through GGDFA!
Claire
has been involved in dogs since she was 12 working with her aunt
raising Bassett Hounds. In the 70s she got her first Irish
Setter after long ago reading "Big Red" and always wanting an
Irish. Then in the 80s adding a second breed the English Cocker
Spaniel. Loves both the breeds and she with her husband's
support have stayed active in the National and Specialty
Clubs and the GGDFA All Breed Club. "
Marge
had several wonderful dogs when young. One day her friend
invited her to watch her show her English Springer. Marge
proceeded to get her first show Irish Setter and for the next
thirty years competed in confirmation and occasionally bred
these gorgeous animals. Marge acquired her first Irish Wolfhound
twenty-five years ago and totally fell in love with the breed.
For a while she had both breeds!!
Susan
is working on her biography, will be done shortly.
I
have been an animal lover and advocate my entire life. My very
first dog was a Pomeranian named Cowboy when I was seven. I got
my very first show dog, a Miniature American Shepherd, in 2017.
I started showing her in 2018 and finished her conformation
championship the following year. Since then, I have had the
pleasure of showing multiple dogs of multiple breeds. I love
learning about new breeds, grooming, and how to show them. My
goals are to continue growing as a dog fancier myself and to
encourage and support others in the sport of showing dogs.
The
GGDFA was formed by a group of dog enthusiasts in early
February 1967.
The first all-breed fun match was held on May 28, 1967.
The GGDFA was incorporated on December 18, 1969.
The first AKC Sanctioned B-OB Match was held October 18, 1970.
The first AKC Sanctioned all-breed show and obedience trial was held on Sunday, October 29, 1972
The
objectives of the Club shall be: To further the advancement
of all breeds of purebred dogs.
To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of all breeds of purebred dogs and to encourage good sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and trials.
To conduct sanctioned matches, shows, trials and events under the rules of the American Kennel Club.
We
host an all breed dog show each year in January. It's called
the "Gator classic".
We partner with another dog club in the area and together offer conformation, obedience and rally trials.
This event is held at The Greater Ocala Dog Club's facility.
