The Basset Hound Club of Greater Seattle

About the Club...

Many years ago, (1950), a couple by the name of Richard E. & Evelyn Bassett were the only known Basset Hound exhibitors in the Northwest. They showed their Bassets in the Northwest under the name of Bassett's Bassets. When they tried to register their name with the American Kennel Club, it was refused. They searched through French books and came up with the name of Notrenom, which means "our name" and proceeded in registering the Notrenom name with the American Kennel Club. For many years Dick and Evelyn were the only Basset exhibitors in the area. As they sold their dogs, new exhibitors began showing their dogs (all Notrenom Bassets in the show ring). Excluding Dick and Evelyn, Pat and Joanne Hannah were one of the first ones that finished a Basset with the Basset kennel prefix. The name of that dog was Ch. Bassett's Buzzy of Blueridge. As the years went on, more exhibitors became interested in exhibiting the Basset Hound in the show ring. All had Notrenom Bassets. In 1962, Bill and Lorraine Russell moved to the northwest with a new string of Bassets, which allowed for competition. In the latter part of 1963, Dick & Evelyn Bassett and Bill & Lorraine Russell went in together and purchased Musicland's Mozart. He began his show career in January of 1964 and finished his championship in 10 shows.

In 1963, the exhibitors began talking about forming a Basset Hound Club. Pat and Joanne Hannah wrote to the American Kennel Club to obtain information as to how they were to go about this. There were members that joined from Washington, Oregon and Canada.

The club gave away awards to anyone finishing their championship award or obedience title for that year. The awards were and are still awarded annually at our annual Christmas meeting. Although it was not the first obedience title, Lorraine Russell was the first member who won the first obedience title on "Russtan's Texas Babe".

The club held fun matches at different parks, which consisted of conformation classes, and best costume designs. The costume parade was always held first. Exhibitors came from Canada and Oregon to participate and support. There were around 90 entries.

In order to get approval from the American Kennel Club to hold a licensed show, the club had to go on a trial basis. We first had to hold 2 Sanction "B" matches and 2 Sanction "A" matches. The "B" matches were the easier of the two. A short record had to be submitted to the AKC. Beginning with dogs 3 months old and no limit as to how old they could be, were allowed in the Sanction "B" match. No champions could be shown in this match. Sanction "A" matches were a little more work. It had to run like a licensed show. A dog or bitch had to be at least 6 months old to enter the "A" match; catalogues had to be made, entries accepted and all records sent to the AKC, when completed. We could not hire any outside professional help. All the work was to be done by the members of the club. It was really a joint effort on the part of all. the members to make the Sanction "A" and Sanction "B" matches work.

In 1969, the Basset Hound Club of Greater Seattle, Inc. held their first licensed Basset Hound Specialty! There were around 85 Basset Hounds entered in that show. It was held on a Friday evening in August. Everyone entered every Basset Hound they owned. Our judge for that first Specialty was Mr. Keith Haygood from South Carolina. He gave "Ch. Notrenom's Notagin Smidgen" Best of Breed and "Am/Can Ch. Notrenom's Mozette of Russtan" Best of Opposite Sex.

The Basset Hound Club of Greater Seattle, Inc. has held a specialty every year since the very first one. In 1987, the BHCGS held their specialty in conjunction with the Basset Hound Club of Portland in July and held their first Winter Specialty in November. In 1991, a third specialty was held under the name of the Basset Hound Club of America Regionals. In 1994, Emerald Empire Basset Fanciers joined the two clubs with their specialty. It has become an annual event to hold these specialties in July. Four specialties are being held in which more than 100 entries are being entered annually and growing.