The English St. Bernard Club is the parent Club of the Breed Clubs today.
It was first registered with the Kennel Club in 1922, although it is interesting to note that the cover of the 1953 handbook states that the Club was founded in 1891.
Indeed, The English St. Bernard Club owns several magnificent silver trophies dated in the late 1800's. but these are engraved: The St. Bernard Club and The Northern St. Bernard Club. These Clubs were disbanded during the first world war. The English St. Bernard Club and The St. Bernard Club of Scotland were the first St. Bernard Clubs formed thereafter.
The earliest authenticated report of the breed being brought to England from ts native hospice in Switzerland was in 1815 when one was brought to Leasowe Castle. More imports followed and the breed grew in popularity. Queen Victoria owned two in the 1840's and they were a popular dog with the nobility. By the late 1870's they were the favourite large size companion dog. There were approximately 70 entries at the Crystal Palace Show in 1879 and at the Alexandra Palace Show in the same year.
According to Dalziel, the idea of a St. Bernard Club was first conceived by the Reverend Arthur Carter in December 1881 at Alexandra Palace and was formed in February 1882. At this time the St. Bernard Club was the only one of the specialist clubs to hold its own shows and Dalziel states that these attracted entries of nearly 400. The Club states as its principal objective: "to encourage the breeding of St. Bernard dogs of a certain recognised type and to stimulate popular interest in these only, to the exclusion of others of a different and objectionable character". To do this, the Club undertook to "define the type and urge the adoption of this type on breeders, exhibitors, judges, dog show committees and others, as the only standard to which St. Bernards should be judged". The Club also compiled a Stud Book and gave many prizes to show committees for competition, as well as giving the two "100 guinea cups", the winning of one of these was the prime objective of exhibitors in the 1890's. These two trophies are given today by The English St. Bernard Club for Best Dog and Best Bitch at their Club Championship Show.
Dr. Inman, who with Mr. C. Walmsley owned the Bowden Kennel, was largely responsible for founding the National St. Bernard Club. This Club was, in the main, for those members who lived too far North to belong to the London-based Club founded by the Rev. Carter. The National Club was founded as such in 1899, being the direct outcome of a Liverpool and Northern Counties St.Bernard Club begun by Messrs. Foster and Bowley and others in 1893. The new Club in the North also offered many fine trophies. Whilst these Clubs ceased to exist during the first world war, the breed was kept going mainly by the "Pearl" Kennel of Mr. & Mrs Redwood. In the Late 1940's, the Club had a membership of approximately 50, this had increased to 67 in 1953, when a handbook was produced.
In 1974, the Club held its first Open Show at Clay Cross. Mrs Kathleen Gaunt was to have been the judge, but, due to her death, her place was taken by Mrs. Clare Bradley of the Snowranger St. Bernards. This show drew an entry of about 70 dogs.
In 1979, the Club held its first Championship Show at Bingham Sports Centre with an entry of 148 dogs.
Today, the Club is run by the Officers and Committee whose names appear on this website.
The Club's Secretaries have been: Mr. Redwood, Mrs. Briggs, Mr. Gaunt, Mrs Holmes, Mrs James, Miss Muggleton and Mrs Martin. Miss Muggleton is now acting Secretary.
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