Thank you for your interest in the New England Chow Chow Club (NECCC), Inc. Originating in 1952, NECCC, Inc. presently consists of about 60 individual and joint memberships throughout New England and beyond. Our Board of Directors holds separate meetings quarterly and conducts our Membership Meetings during March, June, September and December.

Our mission is to promote the quality and well-being through sporting, educational and social events. We sponsor an annual Specialty Show, Chow Day and various other activities as they are approved. We network with the Chow Chow Club, Inc. (the parent club) regional clubs, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and welfare and rescue organizations nationwide. We welcome and encourage Chowists of all backgrounds who are enthusiastic about being active club members. Club participation is important since we only meet quarterly.

A membership form is available on our web site. Forward your completed application to our treasurer. Once your application has been received, it will be read at two membership meetings. You will be required to attend at least one membership meeting, including the meetings when either reading occurs. Your membership will be voted upon immediately after the second reading, provided you have attended a meeting. If you have been unable to attend a meeting after the first or second meeting, voting will be postponed until such time as you are able to attend a membership meeting.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time. We hope to hear from you soon.

During the 1930's, 40's and 50's and into the early 60's, the New England Chow Chow Club was quite active. Its membership was small, but almost all members exhibited their dogs. The club held its annual specialties and matches and was known to have"get-togethers".

In the mid 60's the club became quite inactive. Due to the unwavering dedication of Mr. Charles O'Hara, our club treasurer, the club never did lose its charter. Each year Mr. O'Hara paid the charter filing fee to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In 1969, Mildred Fugman, a member of the Southern Chow Chow Club, moved to Rhode Island to be with her husband who was in the Navy. She had chows with her when she moved north, and she would take in local dog shows. She would immediately tell any Chowist she met about the New England Club. Mrs. Fugman also ran "Chow for Sale" ads (even though she had none to sell) in order to "sell" callers on the club, and it worked! It was through Mrs. Fugman's enthusiasm and love of the breed that the club became "alive" again. Since 1972, the club has once again gained recognition by all chow people. Several of our members, past and present, have served as members of the Board of The Chow Chow Club, Inc., as well. Nina Armitage held the post of Secretary-Treasurer from 1952 until her death in 1965. Although she was elderly, she diligently executed her duties, even from her hospital bed shortly before her death. AKC Delegate Ginny Atkinson, served as our secretary for three years. Andrea Moore (who followed Ginny as secretary) and Kip Kopatch (former President and Board Member) have been board members of The Chow Chow Club. Another club member, Bill Atkinson has served as that clubs Statistic and Awards Chairperson.

Our club membership surpassed 50 in the late 70's and 80's. We have held an annual Specialty Show since 1976, and in 1982 we hosted the National Specialty. Mother Nature did not cooperate with good weather for that event, but it was a big success and generated numerous compliments. Since 1980, we have held several Supported Entries, AKC sanctioned Matches, fun matches and our annual Holiday Party. We have also participated in "The Gaines Medal for Good Sportsmanship" award. Our Breed education has always been an important element to our club. Our first "Chow Day" was held in September 1985 as a public service to anyone who owned a Chow or was considering acquiring one. Our chow club members offer grooming, handling, and obedience demonstrations. There are "fun" and "real" class categories and contests as well. It is very worthwhile to have people of all backgrounds and experience with the breed come together and enjoy themselves.

With the start of the new millennium our membership has grown close to 70 members. It includes both experienced chowists and novices. In the late summer of 1999, the club's newsletter was resurrected after a long absence.

In Summer of 2000, the club officially announced its internet website to further provide information to current and prospective chow owners. The site was closed for most of 2006 until it was redesigned and reopened in mid-January, 2007 on a new domain, http://www.NewEnglandChowChowClub.COM