In 1979 an enthusiastic group of beaglers formed the Beagle Club of South Australia to organize social activities. Our foundation membership numbered 40 and the ensuring years saw the Club grow to a membership of 110.

In 1989 the Club held its first Open Show, and the Inaugural Championship Show was held in 1990, with Mr. Phil Kersey from New Zealand officiating over an entry of 66 beagles.

Ch. Daragoj Starsong (Imp. Finland), Best in Show – 3rd Beagle National

On 5th & 6th September 1995 the Club hosted the 3rd National Beagle Championship Show, at Nuriootpa in the heart of the Barossa Valley, famous for its excellent wines. Mr. Jesper Pederson from Denmark presided over an entry of 196 Beagles from all around Australia. For the first time in Australia, a Restricted Obedience Trial for Beagles was also held over these two days.

Local Obedience Judge, Mr. Neil MacDonald put an entry of 18 beagles through their paces, which was both inspiring and at times very entertaining! Our first “Hunts” were held in the Adelaide Hills at a property between the towns of Meadows and Echunga. Our Hunts in these days were informal affairs, but after our move to Glenbrook near the seaside town of Victor Harbor, the Field Days in their present format began to evolve. For a time Field Days were held at both Reynella and Monarto Equestrian Centres. The Field Days are now held solely at Monarto, where the open field and rolling hills challenge the hound’s abilities.

Winning Entry in Sand Sculpture Competition 1990

Over the years our Club has also entered in activities aimed at promoting our breed at local events, and we have enjoyed success at all the activities entered. Our first prize-winning entry at the Sand Sculpture Competition was an 8-foot long beagle, and many hours were spent constructing beagle boats made entirely of milk cartons, that saw us race victors for three years!

To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, the Club held a Gala Day in September 1999, holding our Championship and Open Shows during the day, and for the first time held a Hound Show in the evening. The Hound Show was open to beagles that had competed in our Field Days, and was judged by Francis Nelson QC, Master Of Hounds from a local Hunt Club. This was a very busy, but most successful day.

Best in Show “Ch. Goldengum Pipers River”
Runner Up “NZ Ch. & Ch. Jancintine Th Apprentice”

Our 30th Anniversary in 2009 coincided with the holding of the 8th National Beagle Show at the German Shepherd Club Grounds, West Beach. Our inaugural President Mr Don White was present and obliged with cutting the Club’s 30th Anniversary Cake at the Show’s presentation night.

30th Anniversary celebrations were held for our Field Day People at Monarto during the August Hunt event.
The year 2009 also saw the introduction of GPS on Field Days for the first time. The use of GPS tracking on the hounds herald a new era for the club where we use the data to track the performance of the hounds when they disappear out of site at Monarto. Data retrieved to date has far exceeded our expectations on how the hounds perform.