Illiana Bulldog Club

The Illiana Bulldog Club was organized in 1983 by several members and some former officers of the Bulldog Club of Indiana who resided in the northwestern part of the state near Chicago, Illinois.

The Bulldog Club of Indiana was headquartered since its founding in 1935 in the Indianapolis area where most of its monthly meetings were held. Members from the northern sector of Indiana were required to travel at least two hours or more to the central part of Indiana to attend club meetings.

Over the years a few attempts were made to organize and sustain some bulldog specialty clubs in northern Indiana to accommodate those who disliked traveling to Indianapolis. But those efforts were short-lived and unsuccessful.

However, several bulldog owners and breeders from northwestern Lake County Indiana and southeastern portions of Illinois near Chicago were ultimately successful in 1983 in forming a new club named the Illiana Bulldog Club at Crown Point, Indiana.

August “Duke” Amburgey of Hebron, Indiana, a former president of the Indiana Bulldog Club, is generally recognized as the founder of Illiana Bulldog Club. He and his wife, Caroline, owned and operated Du-Car Kennels where they had owned and exhibited at least 10 champions.

Mr. Amburgey was named the club’s first secretary in September 1983, along with Mrs. Nancy Mustard-Pariso of North Judson, Indiana, who was named the club’s first president. Frank Lofdahl was vice president and Darlene McNeill was treasurer. All of them are charter members and were experienced ex-members of the Bulldog Club of Indiana.

Illiana Bulldog Club held its first AKC-licensed specialty show in October 1989. Mr. Amburgey was elected president of the club in 1990 and 1991. He later served as a member of the Board of Directors until his death in 1996.

The club continues to host annual bulldog specialty shows and puppy matches during October in the Crown Point area, its base of operations. Mrs. Pariso of Crown Point has served as club president for the past several years.

Submitted by G. William Andree, club member.