The Houston Canine Disc Club started in 1991 and is made up of people who love throwing Frisbee discs to their dogs. Some do it just to get out of the house, some are more serious and strive to be world champions. Our club is made up of both and everyone in between.
From John Tobin, HCFDC Founder –
“On August 4, 1991 fourteen people and about 12 dogs showed up for the initial meeting of the HCFDC at Memorial Park at the football/rugby field to have a meeting and to gage interest. Joining myself, was my wife, Cynthia, and special guest, Ron Ellis, the 2020 Come’n Get It National Champion, who also started the Dallas/Ft. Worth Club.
I started the HCFDC after seeing the 1989 National Championships at the Texas State Fair and competing at the Texas Competitions–all in Dallas/Ft Worth in 1990. I was embraced by David Bloeme and Irv Lander, who ran the competitions and we lucked out when brand new Frisbee Dog Food Sponsor, Come’n Get It scheduled a Regional Competition in Houston on May 11, 1991 at Memorial Park and they had the “largest Regional competition ever” to that point of 52 competitors and the media was all over the event and Channel 2 even won an award for the montage video they shot–I have it somewhere on VHS at my house.
I then convinced Irv Lander to give me the mailing list from the competition and I created an invitation/newsletter and mailed it out to the names from great Houston who competed. I was competing with my wife’s father’s lab mix–Awesome–at the time. My little dog Tinker, who you see on the old logo, was found the week before the meeting.
We were a small club for a long time, but once we convinced the Astro Series of Dog Shows to let us exhibit, the number of members exploded–thank goodness that they are still let the Club perform over 20 years later. I also remember the friends I made in the Club and 32 years later I’m still communicating with a few of them. Thank you all for you support of the Club and thank you for keeping it going as it takes a village and nothing is better than your ‘canine child’ making that perfect catch.”
The club meets typically during weekly toss & fetch league matches and other times when convenient to members to provide ideas, tips, information, fellowship and a safe place to practice our exciting sport. Our club is designed for individuals as well as families to come out, with their dogs, in fun and encouraging surroundings.
In addition, our club host local, regional and national tournaments as well as provides demonstrations at local charity events, school functions and corporate gatherings. On occasion, some members will travel together to out of town or out of state competitions on their “Canine Vacations”!