History

The Puyallup Valley Dog Fanciers (PVDF) was founded in 1972.  Founding members, Stan and Joan Zielinski and Grenville and Virginia Sawyer, met in their living room and asked the question, “Should we form a dog club?”


Back then, the American Kennel Club (AKC) required 40 members to form a club.  As there were already two clubs in the nearby area (Olympic Kennel Club and Tacoma Kennel Club), founding members drew a circle around the Puyallup-central and Graham areas.  Stan Zielinski and Dave Lee then traveled back to New York to advocate for the Club’s formation, where they eventually garnered AKC’s approval.


Before PVDF was even officially recognized, members scheduled the first match at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.  The Club had hoped to attract at least 50 participants and were pleasantly surprised, and a little overwhelmed, when more than 500 people stood in line to register that day.  Needless to say, the Club was successful that day and has never looked back.  As one of over 5,000 dog clubs now recognized by the AKC, it just goes to show . . . there’s always room for one more!


For inquires or more information about PVDF, or how to become a member, email:  pvdfinfo@gmail.com

The Western Washington Summer Cluster 2022

The Summer Cluster was held July 9-11, 2022 at the Washington State Fairgrounds, Puyallup

  • Description: 3-day show jointed hosted by the Gig Harbor Kennel Club, Puyallup Valley Dog Fanciers, and the Seattle Kennel Club
  • Events included:  Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Junior Showmanship, Beginner Puppy, PeeWee Handling, Scent Work, Temperament Tests, Canine Good Citizen, Trick Dog, Health Testing Clinics, Ring Steward Seminar, Judging Junior Showmanship
  • National Owner Handling Series was conducted all three days.
  • A Health Clinic was conducted for OFA Eyes and Heart examinations.
  •  The results of the judging can be found at Baray Events at this link.
Founding club members Joan and Stan Zielinski.

Recent Events - History
 

The club has completed three major events in 2022:

 

The Western Washington Winter Cluster 2022

The annual Western Washington Winter Cluster Dog Show was held from January 14th to January 16, 2023 at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup, Washington. Presented annually by the Puyallup Valley Dog Fanciers, the Gig Harbor Kennel Club and the Seattle Kennel Club, this years event was another unqualified success.   There were 2,134 dogs entered in the Saturday show sponsored by the Gig Harbor Kennel Club, with a total entry of 2,304.  The Sunday show sponsored by the Puyallup Valley Dog Fanciers had 2,099 dogs entered with a tota lengry of 2,210.  Monday's show sponsored by the Seattle Kennel Club had 1,746 dogs entered with  a total entry of 1,823.

 

In addition to conformance, events included Junior Showmanship, Beginner Puppy, Obedience and Rally.   Saturdays events also included Sweepstakes, the Bernese Mountain Dog Specialty Show, Sweepstakes and Veterans Sweepstakes as well as Beginner Puppy.

 

For complete results see Baray Events at:  Baray Events at this link:        BaRay Events

Summer Cluster Dog Show Junior Handler Kali with Boston Terrier Oliver.

Sanctioned B-Match 2022

  • The event was held on June 18, 2022 at South Clarks Creek Park in Puyallup.
  •  Approved by AKC, this match provided the opportunity to develop and practice handling and showmanship under more informal circumstances.