Berube made lifetime member
PRESQUE ISLE – On Dec. 5, 2010, the Central Aroostook Kennel Club held its annual Christmas dinner at Gram Russo’s in Presque Isle. At this time, Mel Berube was awarded with a lifetime membership to the club and presented with a clock plaque, which Berube says he will always cherish because it was from the Aroostook Kennel Club and its members.
It was back in 1972 when a lady from Loring Air Force Base called Berube informing him that a meeting was to be held in Caribou for those interested in purebred dogs. Already having a toy black poodle that he was planning to show, it seemed the right thing to do. Approximately 17 people had gathered for the meeting and agreed a club should be formed, with obedience and breed show classes that would be offered for those interested. The club was formed that night and named the Aroostook County Kennel Club, which was later changed to Central Aroostook Kennel Club by the AKC and approved.
Berube was involved with showing his toy poodle in Canada and then in the United States. His first true success was a little apricot female poodle, Bright New Dawn, who won two all-breed and one specialty, best in shows. She was retired from the ring to produce puppies that would continue what she had started. With only three litters, she produced five pups that finished to their championships, making Dawn a top producer.
In the 40-plus years of showing and breeding toy poodles, Berube has sold toy poodles to Russia, England, Canada, and all over the United States. Those sold abroad all attained their championships, some with several titles to their credit.
In all, Berube has finished 21 toy poodles to their Canadian titles, while 12 finished to their AKC titles. He has also shown a West Highland White Terrier, a Scottish Terrier, and a Gordon Setter to their Canadian Championships, but it was Berube’s toy poodles that managed to win a total of six best in shows and many group firsts at all-breed and specialty shows in Canada and the United States.
Besides being a board member in the kennel club, Berube was also the club’s breed referral and assisted many people with finding ethical breeders for that perfect puppy. His knowledge with the show ring has been a great asset with assisting the club with past events involving all-breed, rally, and obedience.
