Where did we begin & What do we do today?

On 8 November 1968 a meeting of interested fanciers met to form the Shaggy Dog Club and minutes of the first meeting show that from the very start our club was formed " for the betterment of the breed and to socially bring people together".

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The minutes list 18 persons attending with 23 recorded apologies. The meeting agreed to form the Old English Sheepdog Club of Victoria and an application was lodged with the Kennel Control Council of Victoria (KCC), commonly known as Dogs Victoria, for affiliation on 18 November 1968. The logo below represented the club in the beginning.

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The number of members grew to 95 by October 1969 and a concerted effort was made by everyone to have as many OES' as possible entered at the Melbourne Royal Show in an attempt to demonstrate to Dogs Victoria that the number of OES' were steadily increasing and participating in conformation shows. On 19 August 1970 Dogs Victoria approved the Club's application for affiliation.

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The Club continued to grow from strength to strength reaching an all time high in membership of 600 by 1976/77. The Club became so active, it had to form a number of sub-committees, each comprising around a dozen or so members, just to keep up with the workload.

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The Club was abuzz with activity and was arguably recognized by Dogs Victoria as one of the more robust and active clubs. Regular club meetings covered many interests: obedience and grooming demonstrations, Melbourne Royal Show appearances, different social activities, and Moomba parade floats.

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WHAT DO WE DO TODAY?

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Aligning the OESCV with the 21st century, the club has updated, refreshed, and modernised their logo to better represent the OESCV and our beloved breed for the world in which we now live.

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Today, the Club still helps Members with grooming and obedience training your OES and sharing our knowledge, experience and expertise of our breed with any Member who would benefit from our assistance.

We come together for regular social walks around different, interesting, and picturesque scenic locations. We hold our enjoyable, fun and well attended Annual Luncheon overlooking Port Phillip Bay each May.

We have our Annual Championship Show where OES breeders compete for best breed in show held each November, along with our Christmas break-up and walk around a nature park with a large lake and wetlands in December.

We email a quarterly fun and informative Club newsletter, Shaggy Tales, that regularly communicates with Members, as well as our Club Facebook Page that continually updates Members with what’s being planned, and what, when, and where events are happening during the year.

We’re all about the OESCV Community and being Proud to Belong! We exist to preserve and enjoy our beloved breed and ensure we’re a sustainable Club for future generations to love and cherish the Old English Sheepdog.​​

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Today the Club's membership is not as robust and whilst the numbers are smaller in comparison to those halcyon years, the devotion and love of our wonderful breed is never in doubt and exemplified by all who come into contact with this beautiful breed.