Mervyn Woodrow’s Mooiplaats plot was a congregation point for dog enthusiasts on Sunday 15 April.

At 7 am a group of highly excited Pretoria Shepherd Dog Club members met along Lynnwood Road and followed their chairperson and head of training, Tania Quarmby, to Mooiplaats. Tania’s border collies, Roxy, Shelby and Gypsy Girl gave a demonstration of sheepdog skills. By the way, Roxy came second in Top Dogs and Shelby won the juniors category at the Wits Club Championships in February.

Tania explains herding principles to dog club members at Mervyn Woodrow’s Mooiplaats plot

The Pretoria Shepherd Dog Club was established for German Shepherds in 1963, but today all dogs are trained there. It is a proud member of the Kennel Union of Southern Africa. The club offers puppy socialising and training, obedience training, show training, protection and a fun obstacle course.

The club was started for German Shepherds in 1963, but today all dogs are trained here

Tania explained that the first four months of a puppy’s life is the imprinting period. During this time the dog is going to learn how to become a socially acceptable adult dog. The club’s Puppy Kindergarten and Puppy Club is where puppies of the same age learn to socialise and play.

The club’s annual general meeting in March was followed by a braai, attended by two- and four-legged beings

Lectures are offered on animal behaviour, grooming, feeding and veterinary care at the Puppy Club. Continuation of training takes place with classes for dogs from the age of seven months.

However, don’t think a dog is ever too old to learn. The club recently started training an eight-year-old Jack Russel female with one eye. “All ages and breeds of dogs are welcome at the club,” said Tania.

A herding demonstration by Tania’s border collies

In the early 1960’s training took place in Pretoria North, Pretoria Central and then Waterkloof Recreation Grounds. Eventually ground was leased from the City Council in Menlo Park, where the club has offered training since 1978.

Tania Quarmby, right, teaches Arenda Booysen from Mooiplaats and her bullterrier Sproetjies how to negotiate obstacles

Walter Binder, who was chairman for 35 years, and his committee were responsible for turning the dumping ground into a beautiful training ground with a club house.

For more information contact Tania at 082-430-1456, Terence at 079-298-0267 or Miriam at 083-661-8581.