The National Pouter & Cropper Club was founded in 1961 by Martin & Loretta Bayer of Illinois in response to the need for an all encompassing national club for all of the pouter and cropper breeds. The club actively functioned until the early 1980’s but ceased to exist after the death of Mr. Bayer.

In the meantime, out west in California the Western Pouter Club began to change from being a Pigmy and Brunner Pouter Club into an all breed pouter club. In the late 1970’s under the leadership of Frank Barrachina and Dan Johnson the club became the Western Pouter & Cropper Club, and the membership grew rapidly because the focus was on all the pouter/cropper breeds instead of just a few. Pouter/cropper enthusiasts from all over America joined the new dynamic club. As a matter of fact, Ken Berns of South Dakota and Tim Burke of Iowa asked that the Des Moines Show become a district meet back in 1981. Also around this time, the club began having its annual meet at the Grand National.

It was also during the early 80’s that members of the club began importing top quality birds from Europe’s best breeders. It was through the help of the late Guenter Wenzel of Illinois that this movement towards dramatic improvement began- and the quality skyrocketed. As a matter of fact, even some of the most respected European judges were brought over to judge club meets!

As the club grew, our old friend and former publicity director of the original National Pouter and Cropper Club, Guenter Wenzel, urged that the WP&CC become that new National Pouter & Cropper Club. And in the most impressive voting record in the club’s history, over 100 members adopted the old name. The National Pouter & Cropper Club was here to stay.

The National Pouter and Cropper Club has been a leader: in the quest to improve the quality of American birds, in the quest to educate the breeders, and in the quest to have the finest meets in the history of pouters and croppers in America providing knowledgeable judges and beautiful keepsake awards. This has been the club’s strength for over 30 years!

Today the National Pouter and Cropper Club have five main shows it supports in the Fall and shows as a Specialty Club. The shows span across the United States from California to New York. Generally the second week in October California puts on the “Great Western” in Gilroy California with hundreds of Pouters and Croppers. Jumping into November the Legendary “Pageant of Pigeons” show is held in San Bernardino, CA. This show serves as the largest show and most prestigious on the West Coast. The third and fourth shows are held the second weekend in December, one in the Midwest and the other on the East Coast in the Big Apple hence it’s name. Des Moines is home of the Iowa State Pigeon Association Annual Show where the NPCC has been showing since 1981 as the Pouter & Cropper Specialty Club. This show is one of the largest shows in the country and numerous Pouter and Cropper Exhibitors flock to this show annually.

Our fourth club show and the newest addition is the “Big Apple Invitational” held in Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York. New Yorkers like to do things classy and this show lives up to the hype. The last show of the season which the NPCC sponsors is the National Pigeon Association’s Grand Nationals usually held on the second or third weekend in January. This show travels across the country and each year a new metropolitan city summits a bid to hold this prestigious event. Past Shows have been held in Atlanta, GA; Hartford, CT; Lincoln, NE; Oklahoma City, OK; Los Angeles, CA and Tacoma, WA to name a few. The NPA Grand National generally closes the show season for the year and exhibitors become breeders. As you can see by the show schedule the climate in California allows for an early breeding season and also provides for our show season to start in October with mature birds.

The National Pouter and Cropper Club takes pride on providing the membership with outstanding awards at these shows. Each year the awards vary but you can be assured they will be a keep sake of a lifetime and something you‘ll proudly display. The dues in 1961 were $5.00 and today the dues are only $15.00, what a value for a wealth of information. Also, check out the website on front page for additional Pouter information.

The National Pouter and Cropper Club was built on the basis of providing a club to all Pouter & Cropper breeds since many of the individual breed clubs were shrinking and going away. The NPCC supports all the breeds and works with the individual breed clubs as much as possible. The club was built on the ideals of getting members involved, provide quality shows and bring people together to share in their love for Pouters and Croppers. The challenges the club and the hobby faces today is the declining number of fanciers breeding Pouters and Croppers. The kids today have less of an interest in pigeons than the kids of the 1960's and earlier. Computers, games, and TV have the attention of the children and learning the life skills that pigeons bring into their lives don't seem to be as important. Getting kids to the shows, letting them see the birds and interacting with the birds is one of the clubs goals. Learning about shows and what to look for in a bird is a wonderful experience for the curious mind of a young adult or child. We offer and open invitation to all to attend our shows and come ready to ask questions.

The National Pouter and Cropper Club use the Pouter and Cropper Standards provided by the National Pigeon Association for judging of all birds. The birds shown must wear seamless bands of a reputable banding organization like the NPA. The NPCC has established 4 classes, Young Hen, Young Cock, old Hen and Old Cock in each breed, if shows provide large numbers in a particular breed then the classes can be broken down by colors. Show Entry fee per bird varies but generally a fraction higher than non-specialty club entry fees. Remember: when showing be a good mentor to others and display sportsmanship!


This website is dedicated to the late and great Dr. Tim Burke who's love for the hobby and Pouters lives on. Dr. Burke was a NPA and NPCC Master Breeder of Norwich Croppers and Bruners.