About Us

Formed in the mid 1970s (1976?) “The Dog Club” began running training classes for dog enthusiasts who wished to develop a special bond with their canine friends and perhaps join in some competitive events. It has always promoted responsible dog ownership & participation in community events.

In 1994 the Dog Club joined the Kennel Club, thus becoming recognised as Lochaber & District Canine Society. From then onwards we were able to run competitive shows in many spheres of dog activity including Breed Shows, Companion dog shows, Open Obedience competitions and Rally Obedience competitions. The club also holds fund-raising events for local or dog-related charities throughout the year.

Throughout the last 50+ years we have continued to run pet dog training classes on Tuesday evenings, these now being part the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme. Our classes started off in the Braxy hall in Inverlochy but gradually outgrew that venue and moved to the Nevis Centre in Fort William. These classes provide training & socialising opportunities for puppies, as well as more advanced classes for older dogs. Countless numbers of local dogs & their owners have benefitted from these classes & have made both doggy & human friends in the process.

There are also many other doggy activities that we run & promote. In the summer the active outdoor sports of Agility, Hoopers & Flyball (as seen on Crufts coverage each year) are great fun, and of course we have our ever-popular Doggy Christmas Party in December. We hold several Members events throughout the year which introduce various topics of interest for dog owners.

A few moments from our club history…

1994 – April – Glen and Lynne – Obedience.
Congratulations to Glen & Lynne!  On Saturday 16th April 1994 they won beginners at Leven Open Obedience Show.  On Sunday 17th April they were 4th in Beginners at Knightswood Championship Obedience Show.  What a weekend!  On Saturday 23rd April at Cambuslang Open Obedience Show, Lynne and Glen had their 2nd Beginners win just a week after their first.

‘A Border Collie – a stray picked up by Lochaber District Council’s dog warden just 20 months ago – brought canine kudos to Lochaber last weekend. “Glen”, who was eventually rescued and trained by Lynne MacCallum (pictured above), Inverroy, and is around two years old, topped a field of over 40 entries at Leven Open Obedience Show earlier this month, winning the Beginners Section and then repeated his succes at Cambuslang Open Show last weekend. Says Lynne, “Glen is very bright and keen to please.” They train at Lochaber Canine Society which meets in Inverlochy Village Hall each Tuesday evening.’ (taken from local press cutting).

1995 – August – First Full Champion Border Collie
For the first time in the breed’s 14-year history as a show dog with CCs on offer, a full champion Border Collie has been crowned. In order to qualify as a champion a Border Collie must not only obtain its three challenge certificates but must pass the Show Border Collie Working Test held under the auspices of the International Sheep Dog Society.
In practice this test has proved much harder to pass than the equivalent for gundogs, and the first dog to do so and gain its three CCs is Heather Turners Locheil Look North (Nap).
Now six years old, he won his first CC as a junior in 1990, passed his working test in May last year at Peterborough, gained his second CC late last year and his third at Welsh KC last weekend, plus BOB. He also has four RCCs.
Homebred by former CC record holder Sh Ch Viber Travelling Matt from Corinlea ex Lethans Lace at Locheil, he has a CC winning litter sister. (from newspaper article)