Tarheel Beagle Club history

The Tarheel Beagle Club (TBC) was founded in the mid-1970s by a dedicated group of houndsmen, including Frank Reese (owner of the Mr. Gay Hound), Howard Stamey, and Leon Gable. From its earliest days, Tarheel has been deeply intertwined with the broader beagle community as a charter member of the United Beagle Gundog Federation (UBGF). Club founders and early members heavily influenced the federation's growth; Leon Gable helped form the UBGF and served as its First Vice President into the early 1990s, while Bette Armstrong—who joined shortly after the club’s founding alongside her husband, Charlie—served as the UBGF Secretary for a number of years.

Today, Tarheel continues to be a strong, well-respected member of the UBGF, hosting American Kennel Club (AKC) and UBGF qualifying events for both all-age and derby-aged hounds every year.

From Humble Beginnings to Permanent Grounds

In the club's early days, headquarters consisted of an old log cabin situated on property owned by Leon Gable, with most of the hound running taking place at the dead end of a road on land owned by a local sawmill company.

The club's trajectory changed when member Don Crider (of Car-o-Line Hounds) secured the Rowan County property that Tarheel calls home today. For many years, this land was leased as alternate running grounds. However, in 1989, the club purchased a mobile home and permanently moved its operations to Warp Drive in Western Rowan County. Six years later, in 1995, the club successfully reached an agreement to purchase the property outright.

Now spanning 80 acres, the TBC grounds are a testament to the club's growth. The property is divided into two equal enclosures, allowing multiple classes to compete simultaneously. The terrain is mostly level and meticulously maintained, providing judges and spectators in the gallery an excellent view of the field trials. Completely financially self-sufficient, the club boasts modern, well-maintained facilities, clubhouses, and kennels.

A Legacy of Champion Hounds

Tarheel members have bred and owned many prominent hounds that have left an indelible mark on the gundog movement. Among the most recognized is Hall of Fame Field Champion (FC) Lucy Van Littleman. Bred by longtime TBC member Van Johnson, the hound was affectionately named after Van and his wife, Lucy (hence, Lucy-Van).

The club's legacy of excellence carries on through several other notable champions and their handlers:

Dwain Jones was the owner of UBGF National Field Champion Greenwoods      Blue Creek Bear, as well as the owner and breeder of Bear's talented      son, National Field Champion Dusty Road Blue Cobb.

Keith Loudermilt was the proud owner and breeder of two major      titleholders: UBGF National Field Champion Hillcrest Dynasty and      UBGF National Show Champion Free Nancy's Little Muffin.

Looking to the Future

More than 35 years after the birth of the beagle gundog movement, the Tarheel Beagle Club’s mission remains unchanged. Members continue to finish and place hounds at both UBGF and AKC/SPO national events. TBC stays entirely dedicated to improving the beagle breed in the Carolinas, preserving the sport's rich heritage, and evolving to support new generations of handlers and competitors across various competition formats.

SPO Hall of Fame Introduction for K Loudermilt by Robert Oliver

SPO Hall of Fame Speech -- Keith Loudermilt - April 14, 2016