The club started in the late 1970’s and has evolved ever since.

John and Betty Tallentire founded Barnard Castle Dog Training Club around 1978. The club offered classes in obedience from puppies to adult dogs. Dogs from the age of 1 year old were then able to begin agility training. The club has grown over the years seeing changes in its members and the classes offered.

Mr. J. Tallentire was one of the founders of Barnard Castle Dog Training club.

John was a very popular judge and has had many judging appointments not only in this country but several abroad. He judged at some of the leading dog agility shows, including Olympia. John was a representative on the agility council of the Kennel club.

We can’t forget Betty, John’s wife, who trained agility alongside John for many years. She also trained obedience for puppies and new starters. These classes where essential for those wishing to do agility. The classes where later taken on by Pat Ralph another Barnard Castle Club member. Betty also Judged on many occasions throughout the numerous years with which she has been associated with agility.

Barnard Castle club members wish to thank both of them for all the help, support and training they have received over the years.

Memories by Mr Peter Jennings...

My earliest/first recollection of Barnard Castle Dog Training Club was way back in the 1980’s. I then ran a border collie by the name of Sweep. Barnard Castle trained at the top of Montalbo road those days when John and Betty Tallentire where starting/establishing the club. Each year they used to put on a dog agility display at the annual Barnard Castle Meet weekend on the field next to the present training ground. With Barnard Castle club been so small John asked us if we could make the numbers up for the demo and this was my introduction to the club. We had a great time then went to a local pub for our lunch. I must take my hat off to John and Betty they certainly organised some good fun days.

Then there was our annual own show, which was first run at Glaxo Sports field. If we had 100 entries we considered it a big show, how times have moved on, and talking about moving on.

My first collie Sweep was my most successful collie. He qualified for Olympia on three successive years and we ran at Crufts in the Team competition. He was a wonderful dog that took very little training. His career was brought to a premature end when he was run over by a car and had his leg broken. He successfully competed after this, indeed winning an open class. But arthritis set in and I had to retire him from competition at the age of 8.

But on the lighter side I am now running his great grandson Wag, who is doing well for me, winning into senior in his first season and competing well at senior level. My Wife is running his father now who is also a senior dog and also Margaret’s first dog. I am very proud of the standard she has achieved and over the moon to be able to share my sport with my wife.

Well Barney dog training club must have been in existence for approximately 20 years now and I look forward to the next 20 years, and good luck to the flyball team at Crufts for the 2nd time and keep yourselves fit for Saturday’s training sessions. - P Jennings