Truely Ancient Origins ~ By Peta Dowle ~  |
Out of the Viking Age
From archeological remains we know that the dogs of
the Norse people, dating back thousands of years were a spitz type canine.
They were produced from the interbreeding of the native arctic wolf with the
domestic dogs from the south. These dogs were used for hunting, chasing in the
hunt, herding, herd protection and companionship. Several breeds recognised today pre date or
come out of the Viking age. The Swedish Vallhund is a very ancient national dog
breed of Sweden and dates back to the 8th/9th century. They were the alert,
eager, and brave dogs used to herd cows. They were likely also known as
Vikingar-nas dog. Being a small, low to the ground dog the characteristic
trait of herding was achieved by rounding and nipping at the hocks cattle. This
behaviour has been utilised and preserved down through the ages. These dogs
with their bright, jaunty temperament made them suitable as a working dogs,
watch dogs and
companions.
The Corgi Connection?
It is believed there may be some connection between the Swedish Vallhund and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed. Certainly the adventurous Viking raiders visited the Corgi area. Did the Vikings travel with their dogs? Or did the Vikings raiders bring back the dogs they found with their spoils? Historian Cliff Hubbard, a foremost authority on Welsh dogs, believed that the Swedish Vallhund preceded the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. However, uncertainty over the connection between these two breeds, if there is a connection, is shrouded in the mists of centuries past. Only DNA testing may one day resolve the issue definitively.
Centre Photo: A young Princess Elizabeth and one of her Corgis.
Left & Right Photos: Examples of Corgis from early last century.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi of today is quite a different dog from yester-century.
The Decline & Rescue
So united by an advert, & a passion for dogs Bjorn and Karl were about to embark upon a rescue. While the world was in the grips of WWII, a search for what surviving dogs remained began in earnest. They toured around the Vara plains, up and down country lanes on bicycle scouring for surviving dogs. They found many crossbreeds and dogs with obvious Svensk Vallhund in their lineage. But hope of finding unmixed dogs was waning. Of historical interest, pertaining to the possible relationship with corgis, Count von Rosen noted that with their extensive search there were no known Pembroke Welsh Corgis in the Vara region.
Bjorn von Rosen, 1944.
Success
The summer weeks passed in this endeavour, and then suddenly there she was. They had happened upon Topsy and she was found on Andersson's farm. Topsy was described as a perfect, grey, bobtailed female.
Later discovered, a male called Mopsen. While healthy, Mopsen only had one testicle. Not an ideal situation. But without a lot of choice and considering cryptorchid was not a disqualifying aspect at the time, Mopsen was to become the first recognised stud of the breed. And so with two more bitches, Lessi, and Vivi, the men started upon a breeding programme. It is believed that Mopsen sired a dog pup, Jerry265OTT,out of Lessi. Mopsen also sired a bitch pup, Tessan3999VV, out of Vivi. And Mopsen may have sired Borgalls Mopsan7871VV out of Topsy. Although this is uncertain as at the time she was found Topsy was an older bitch of 12 years. Also in the uncertainty is the belief that Vivi may be a daughter or granddaughter of Topsy, as both Vivi and Topsy came from the same owner, farmer Herman Johansson.
Topsy (Topsy's daughter) Vivi & pup. | Mopsen Garr (Zetterstén's favourite dog) |
Bjorn von Rosen recognised early that Topsy was the best specimen of them all and began to write the first breed standard based on her qualities. This standard, along with photos of the other dogs was sent to the Swedish Kennel club. Credit must also be paid to the Swedish Kennel Club, they too were very keen to see the breed saved and recognised. So by that autumn a total of six initial dogs, along with their owners, travelled to a Göteborg dog show where the dogs were assessed by three judges. The first being Count von Rosen, also Colonel Bertil Burén, and Baron Carl Leuhusen.
The gentlemen were of one mind that Topsy was indeed the ideal specimen. She was regarded as having a beautiful body, a strong head and perfect quality of hair [fur] and the correct grey colour. All the initial dogs were grey. Although Karl-Gustaf Zetterstén managed to have the acceptable colours include brown, yellow and red-brown in the 1950's. There was much determination to ensure that in ongoing breeding the dogs should still "look like grandfathers dog" and retain the ability to herd. The men also believed that a correct Swedish Vallhund's coat was maintained as vital. The breed should always have half-long coat with undercoat. It shouldn't be soft or open. After a year of exhibition shows the kennel club recognised the breed in 1943.
Björn von Rosen had been writing articles about the breed, published in Svenska Dagbladet, a major newspaper. This prompted a lot of public interest and demand. Karl Gustave Zetterstén, still breeding terriers and initially with no intention to brred Sewdus Vallhund established the kennel Borghälla. This was prompted by the Swedish Kennel club continually refering puppy seekers to him. Karl felt a duty to care for and continue the breed, Karl continued with the bicycling and the search for more dogs and managed to find a lovely bitch, Tyra. Tyra sported a white chest, and had a good length of leg. And her breeding was known back three generations (of dams). And her father was known as Nicke. Tyra was mated to Pelle, a Mopsen son out of Tessan. One very beautiful boy, Borghällas Ajo from the litter of five that resulted went on to become a very notable stud with his very straight forelegs, close fitting, short & hard grey coat. Karl also bred the 'Borghällas Delila', the very first Swedish Vallhund Champion.
Then in 1964, the Swedish Breed standard was revised and the name Västgötaspet was officially adopted acknowledging the region of Vastergotland were the rescue was initiated. Translated Västgötaspet means, 'Small spitz of the West Goths'. The Swedish Vallhund is also known as the Swedish cattle dog, and Svensk Vallhund
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 | references: * Serpell J., The Domestic Dog, Its Evolution. Behaviour and Interactions with People.Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press. 1995. * Hubbard Clifford. L B., Dogs in Britain; a Description of All Native Breeds and Most Foreign Breeds in Britain. London, MacMillan. 1948 * Swedish Kennel Clubs Magazines Special number:"Hundsport Special" 5/86 * Gascoigne.Nicky., The Swedish Vallhund. Dalsetter Designs. Wakefield. UK. 1989 * Bayliss. J., A Study of the Swedish Vallhund (Västgötaspets) A Pictorial History - Owners’ Hand Book. Eng. 2007. Pictured left: Karl-Gustaf Zetterstén with his favourites INT and SCANDINAVIAN CH Garr and his son (sitting) INT and SCANDINAVIAN CH Borghällas Rasker (Photos - HundSport Special 5/86) |
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