The Swedish Vallhund Society
Firstly, thank you to those who worked so hard to even get our little grey (or Red)
Dogs recognised by the kennel club and to have worked so tirelessly to form the society.
which I write about today.
And how fitting it seems to have this “‘meet the breed” article in what should have been a year to celebrate 40years of the Swedish Vallhund Society. (this article was written back in 2020.)
So, the breed was on our shores and already had a small but dedicated following who did an amazing job of promoting the breed.
A small standalone club was formed in 1976 with numbers growing 1978(the national dog show that year saw Vallhund ‘s having a class of their own for the first time and was supported by 9 males and 9 females shared between 8 owners a fantastic effort when you think there may have only been a few more than 35-40 Vallhund’s registered with the kennel club.)
Anyways this year saw a membership strong enough to approach the kennel club to seek the converted kennel club recognition, a membership of 25 was needed then to meet the requirements set by the kennel club.
Finally in 1980 this was given, and the society was officially known as the Swedish Vallhund Society, how proud they must have been.
Taken from the breed notes 25.10.1979 & written by Nicky Gascoigne
Next month I will apply once more to the Kennel Club to recognise our club. The last time I applied on behalf of the paid-up members I was told to reapply in December.Maybe this time we will be lucky. At the rally we had earlier in the year a meeting was held, and Mr D Edmunds was voted chairman
Mr Gascoigne as treasurer and myself as secretary, so if we are granted recognition, we can swing into action with more club activities and possibly even organise our first breed show.
In December 1979 again from the breed notes and again written by Nicky
It has been bought to my attention that according to some people our club doesn’t exist.Let me assure you ( if you knew Nicky you knew very well she wouldn’t have taken this accusation very well .)She went on to explain that although still awaiting kc approval the inaugural meeting had been held, she also listed the committee as Mr Wilkes, Mrs Barbara Goodman & Mrs Doreen Edmunds from Kent who also took on the job of vallhund rescue should it ever be needed ( how proud are we as a breed to say still all these years later it is something which is VERY rarely needed .)
Nicky also went on to say they had a judges list compiled by the officers of people who they felt had sufficient knowledge of the breed to judge it correctly.
It was announced with much delight I’m sure that the kennel club granted permission for the recognition of the Swedish vallhund society from 1980.
The first breed show held by the society took place on Sunday Sept 21st, 1980, at Laindon Community Centre Nr Basildon Essex, the judge was Mr Roy Hollis he drew an entry of 13 males giving 21 & 24 females giving 38 entered at a fee of £1.00 per class, 21 exhibitors owned these entries (see they are quiet addictive.)
Let us jump forwards 10 years yes, the society was small compared to some however, it had around the 100 member's mark. 10 years of the society also saw the breed awarded challenge certificates.
How fitting was it that the first cc’s awarded in Vallhund’s happened at crufts and saw Nicky Gascoigne win the dog cc and best of breed with her homebred boy Rosern Forever the reserve dog cc went to Ada West with Starvon Andretti the bitch cc went to the Glandfields Vetlanda Annar of Melmarak with the reserve cc going to Hoad’s Vetlanda Alexandra
The society in the early days worked very hard to give advice guidance to owners and breeders to help ensure the correct type of animals being bred from for the benefit of the breed. They prided them selfs on teamwork which is something I feel our current officers and committee members are strong believers in, after all we may all lead different lifestyles have our dogs for different reasons BUT we are all united in the love and appreciation of the breed we have the Swedish Vallhund
Those who serve on committees of established breeds and those who are working to achieve recognition of a breed club will fully understand the work that goes into such matters and without those people who give up time and work for nothing more than the love of the breed Thank you seem such a weak word.
There has obviously like any breed club/society been up and downs over the years but those who love the breed have always remained the same in their values – it is the dog that matters .
Here we are in what should have been our 40th anniversary year of society recognition with the world very much a changed place , we have cancelled our shows for this year and next year all being well we will hold a belated celebration show during which we will remember those we have loved and lost those who worked so hard to get the breed accepted and the society started we will remember the dogs who attracted us to the breed those who we wish we could have cloned
Most of all hopefully we will look around us and be happy with our society it’s members and our little Viking dogs.
Jo Day (Starvon)
Here is a copy of the letter Nicky Gascoigne wrote to the prospective founder members of the Swedish vallhund society
Dear …..
I have been asked if I would be willing to form a kennel club registered society for the Swedish vallhund owners only this country.
According to the kennel club rules, I require 25 founder members each willing to pay £23 to establish a fund for the society. A bank account would be opened in the name of the society and all monies received would be deposited in this account, and from which withdrawals shall only be made in the signatures of two or more officers.
It would be the aim of the society to organise social occasions and rallies for members, also to get more show secretary’s of general show societies to schedule vallhund classes, and of course anything else the members wanted.
If we get sufficient members interested in joining such a club we would arrange an inaugural meeting to put down the rules of the club and to elect the officers and committee .
I understand that you have already indicated an interest in such a club being formed .
If so would you please fill in the enclosed form and send it to me together with £2 for your founder membership
Yours very sincerely Nicky Gascoigne .
The letter from the kennel cub approving the KC status of swedish vallhunds.