Showing a Swedish Vallhund:

My name is Sophie Zbilut, I own two Swedish Vallhunds. I first started showing in 2017 when my Dad got our gorgeous Emelie from Jo Day’s ‘Starvon’ kennel. I soon caught the ‘show bug’ and decided I’d like to have a go at showing too.

Me and Emelie learnt how to show  together so there were definitely moments in our training that were challenging for the both of us but when we eventually got the hang of it we started entering Handling Classes together. We started with Companion show classes and slowly moved up to Open shows to then Championship shows. The Junior Handling is highly competitive and there is little room for errors when trying to win these classes, however with perseverance and practice it becomes almost second nature to ‘blend into the background’. Skye especially enjoys partaking in the junior handling classes as she is so eager to please, she always does me so proud in and out of the YKC ring.

I have been a member of the Young Kennel Club since I was 11, I am now 19 and compete in the 18-24 Years category. The YKC is a great organization for young dog lovers. It teaches responsibility, empathy, and important skills like dog care and training. They hold workshops and competitions across the country, making them accessible to many. At these workshops you get to try many different disciplines such as Agility, obedience and so many more. The YKC also promotes teamwork and leadership, introducing you to so many likeminded juniors along the way. Overall, it's a place where young people can learn, compete, and make friends while sharing their love for dogs.

Me and Skye worked really hard to achieve the bond that we have, she is definitely a one in a million dog, and I feel so privileged to be able to represent such a brilliant breed in the Young Kennel Club classes. 

Skye has presented me with so many opportunities and continues to do so, our biggest achievement to date was probably being on the big green carpet at Crufts after going Best Of Breed 2022. I couldn’t have done any of it without the encouragement of the Vallhund community, they are such a friendly bunch and have been so supportive since the beginning.

I love every minute of showing my girls, win or lose, I always take the best dog home and will continue to do so!

Sophie 

 

 

My journey with Daz

by Sami Bull

Having started showing in Belgian Shepherd’s aged seven, I got my own show dog at the age of 12. The Swedish Vallhund was the ideal size for a junior handling dog. It was super exciting to have a mini wolf in the house and I couldn’t wait to start learning and showing this amazing little breed.

As a newbie to the breed and to showing, we asked so many questions to other exhibitors and our breeder about how to show a Vallhund, I also joined The Junior Handling Association and The Young Kennel Club for help, training and guidance.

Myself and Daz, Starvon Goldfinger at Shamelval Sh CM, competed throughout the UK, winning over 250 handling classes, multiple group placings and championship show group shortlist, a Reserve Best in Show win and 68 Best of Breeds. He was the first Swedish Vallhund to qualify for the YKC Stakes held at Crufts in 2096 and during 2005-2015 we qualified every year and were okaced top 6 for the YKC Handling semi finals held at Crufts.

Being a non-flashy breed, it was sometimes hard to get a Vallhund noticed, but his cheeky character, showmanship and sparkle always came through in the ring.

In 2007, the BBC approached us to be the feature for their Crufts breed coverage. They came to the island for the day and filmed Daz, Chresta and myself training, out walking and down at the beach. It was a brilliant day and one that I feel out the Swedish Vallhund out there to families.

During a health scare the Vallhund community supported us throughout Daz’s scans, their encouragement and kind words gave me the confidence to bring him back out in the ring as a castrated male and in 2012, aged 11 years he made history again by becoming the f irst male Vallhund to win a CC and Best of Breed, a day I will never ever forget. His critique is my favourite out of all his critiques and it also shows how the breed is still in top form even at that age.

Nervous

In 2015, Daz turned 13 and I decided to retire him from competitions as his movement was starting to get hindered by arthritis, which was the first time he’d shown his age. It was announced that Chris Millard was going to be judging the breed at Crufts that year, that was the show he would retire at. Not only had Chris been a mentor to myself and my mum at the beginning, during the 13 years of showing Daz, but also a support during the tough time Daz was ill, it was a perfect ending to Daz’s career and it was my last YKC at Crufts having qualified with Daz.

I remember the day so clearly, I actually felt nervous, something I’d not felt since our first show together. I’d done my last YKC class and was placed 5th with an Australian Shepherd called Dutch, I took Daz down to the Vallhund ring to see his breeders, whom he welcomed with his woof and bum wiggle.

We entered the Veteran Dog class and from that moment onwards he shone on that famous green carpet, all his effort went into that last time in the ring, he didn’t take his eyes off me. It was just me and him doing our thing, nothing else in the world mattered. He was placed 3rd, I couldn’t hold back the emotions, I thanked the judge and gave Daz such a big fuss he didn’t know what he’d done but he didn’t care, he wanted the liver.

After judging, I spoke to Chris thanked him for everything and informed him of Daz’s retirement, he was taken back that I’d chosen to retire Daz under him. A few weeks later the critiques were available, Daz’s is special for many reasons.

Bond My love for showing comes from the intricate bond that was formed showing Daz, his enthusiasm was infectious and it was always a joy to step into the ring with him no matter how early the alarm or how far the journey.

If anyone is considering a Swedish Vallhund to show, I can highly recommend them, I learnt so much about showing through Daz and the journey we went on was something I am grateful for. Their health, longevity, character and sparkle makes them a joy to live with, be in the ring with and have as a loyal loving companion.

It is unfortunate that the 2020 show season came to an early close due to the pandemic, but I’m sure when all is resumed, the Swedish Vallhund community will come back together and enjoy this special breed for years to come.