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After the first attempt to introduce OES into Sweden, a new beginning took place in the
middle of the 1950s. New people came in to the breed and so I have had to decide who to leave in and who to leave out! Many
people have, though the years, played a more or less important part in the history of OES in Sweden. My choice in the end
went with the long-term kennels that started in the 50s and 60s and kept going until 1989 or a little longer. The fact is
they still make a difference to the breed today, even if they are not still active.
When Swedish law initiated the tail-docking ban in 1989, times of backlash and a fall in quality began. Almost all of the
quality breeders left the breed! So much experience and knowledge got lost and, sad to say, the breed in Sweden still suffers
a little from this today. A light at the end of the tunnel, however, was that in 1989 the first obedience champion was
recorded here in Sweden: L Ch Teddy Bear Errol!
The history of the Old English Sheepdog in Sweden is closely connected to the breed club and the people who started it. In
1964 an enthusiastic young man, Caj Håkansson (Bahlamb´s), sent out a newsletter with the suggestion they form a breed club.
Later that year, a group of people met and formed the first OES club under the name “The Bobtailers”. In 1968 the first
speciality show was held with 18 OES entering the ring. Following a request from the Swedish kennel club in 1969, they
changed the name to “The Old English Sheepdog Society”.
In the 1970s the club expanded and the registration numbers went up to about 150-180 puppies a year.
In the 80s the club reached its peak with over 700 members and in some years up to 200-220 puppies were born. The breed
flourished!
Presenting a small collection of quality breeders (1953 – 1989)
UNNESTA 1956 – 1987
Ch. Unnesta Rival (1981)
Mrs. MärtaHult-Korfitzen imported Shepton Sally Ann (Shepton Wonder – Pastelblue
Pantalettes) 1956 from England, and couple of years later she had a litter with
Reeuwijks Cupid (Shepton Gray Idol – Perrywood Blue Bonnet) and this became the basis of the Unnesta
kennel.
Following the importation of a few dogs during the early days, Märta Hult-Korfitzen kept a clear line in her breeding
plan. She used, in the main, dogs from her own lines to produce new generations as she preferred not to have too many
outcrosses in her breeding.
Many fantastic OES came from this kennel and several of them became founding dogs for other early kennels in Sweden. And
still Unnesta makes a difference!
Unnesta produced 400 puppies between 1956 –1987 and 33 (8.3%) of them became champions.
Owners of the fantastic Unnesta Rival (Unnesta Niklas – Unnesta Lapaloma) that you can see above, was
Farmarens kennel. “Rivalen” was “Bobtail of the year” 1983 –1984.
FARMARENS 1964 – 1990
Ch. Farmarens Bring on the Clowns
Mrs. Maine Lundell-Olsson got her first OES as a gift from some friends. His name was Reeuwijks
Cupid and he came from Holland. The first litter born at Farmarens kennel in 1963 was with Unnesta Chooli
and Reeuwiks Cupid as parents.
Two early imports, which made a difference to the breed, were Ch. Rollingsea Gordon and Ch. Amberford
Hygd.
Farmarens produced 139 puppies and 18(13%) of them gained champion titles.
Farmarens Angus, Farmarens Amanda and Farmarens Bring on the Clowns also won “Bobtail of the Year” awards.
Personally I think that “Clownie” was/is the most outstanding OES ever born in Sweden! “Having it all”
could have been her name!
Farmarens is here represented by a picture of “Clownie” (Unnesta Rival – Farmarens Raggedy Rascal) born in
1983.
SHAGGY DOG`S 1966 – 1988
Ch. Shaggy Dog´s Chan Brass Baron
When Mrs. Anita Zetterström, 1962, bought her first OES she got herself an “all time high” dog! His
name was Ch. Teddy Bear Bobo (Ch. Unnesta Pim – Ch. Dorothy) and he was a big show star and
important stud. Bobo became the first OES to win the “Dog of the
Year – all breeds” in Sweden in 1964!
Shaggy Dogs imported some Bobtails who became important for her and other OES breeders’ programs. Rayvill
Rowena (Fernville Flanagan – Rayvil Rosalinda) and Big Deal of the Embages (Raydor Bundle – Bess of
the Embages) was the most well known among them.
The first Swedish born OES to win the Word Winner tittle in 1976, was Ch. Shaggy Dog`s Chan Brass Baron
(CH. Big Deal of the Embages – Ch. Chanelle). He went to his owners in Denmark when he was about 2 years old and his success
as a show and stud dog begun then.
Shaggy Dogs bred 240 puppies, 23 (9.6%) champions were made up.
OLD FASHION 1966 – 1989
Ch. Old Fashion Pacesetter
Veterinarian, Eva Jonsson’s first Bobtail came from the Unnesta kennel as a pet to her family, when she
still was a teenager. A passion for the breed was established and two English imports landed on Swedish soil. They were two
bitches Prospectblue Angelique and Ch. Prospectblue Mary-Ann (Prospectblue Andrew – Whitefall
Meg Midnight).
This kennel really made an effort to bring in new blood to Sweden. Some very important stud dogs who came to the Old Fashion
kennel were, Shaggy Wonder X`Lords Copy (Loakespark Brandy Soda – Shaggy Wonder U`Raggedy Ann) from
Belgium and Raynham Viscount (Raynham Scaramouch – Rollingsea Alice Bluegown) and Lamedazottles A Star
Is Born (Ufo-Star aus dem Elbe-Urstromtal – Zottels Estee Lauder) from England.
This kennel always kept good puppies at home and used them in their own breeding plans. From the Old Fashion kennel came
163 puppies and 29 (17.8%) champions. This makes them the best champion kennel in Sweden during this era. Just to mention
one extraordinary litter, out of Ch. Raynham Viscount and Ch. Old Fashion Crack the Sky, 8
puppies were born, 7 champions and one CC winner. One of them you can see above.
FOOTPRINTS 1984 – 1989
Ch. Footprints After me Sir
Mrs. Anita Skoglund and her breeding under the prefix Footprint`s, can be described as short and sweet.
Ch. Bobo (Playmates Julius – Wrightway Sweet Sue) came to the family in 1983 and he brought with him an
interest for a more active life in OES.
A Norwegian bitch, Sjöstrands Bluemasked Barbara (Ch. Beowulf New Broom – Fezziwig Cinderella) and
Lp Emerdales Fancy Felicia (Ch. Boundalong Blight Spirit – Ch. Bumblebarn Lady Guinivere) became the starting
point for Footprints breeding in 1984.
During the rather short period when they were active, 81 puppies were born. 9 (11%) of them got their champion title. Many
OES from this kennel have made their mark, both as show and obedience dogs.
“Laban” (Ch. Playmates Julius - Sjöstrands Bluemasked Barbara) in the picture, was born 1984.
Presenting a special single dog
Ch. TEDDY BEAR BOBO
This magnificent dog was the first OES in Sweden to win the Swedish Kennel Club’s “Dog of the year” award
in the year 1964. “Bobo” (Ch. Unnesta Pim – Dorothy) is seen here in the picture with his owner Mrs Anita
Zetterström, Shaggy Dog´s kennel, to the left.
(For special reasons, there will be no presentation of his breeder).
A few words about OES in Sweden today 1990 –
2005
Once again the breed had to make a new start after the docking ban! New people are now trying to give
OES wind in their sails again. It has not been easy for them but I really think that there is now some light at the end of
the tunnel!
I have to say that my knowledge of this period is small, so if someone else in Sweden would like to make a contribution on
this timeframe, please feel free to do so! It is the old time history that is my special interest.
Kennels like Bugaboo’s, Hjärter Ess, Dizzny´z, Ragtales, Great Danish and Notown´ is worth checking up on.
My recommendation to you is to go to their personal homepages. Links can be found on the
Swedish OES-Club homepage,
under “Uppfödare” (breeders).
If you would like to see pictures of the winning dogs of today, look under “Utställningsresultat 2005 “ and the
photos turn up a little lower down the page, under the show schedule. Also under “Topplistor” you will find many nice
photos.
An important point is that 3 outstanding OES have won the Swedish kennel club “Dog of the year – all breeds” award during
this period. CH Bahlamb´s Barnyard Baron (1996), Ch. Drovers Roll Those Dice (1999) and Ch. Bahlamb´s Benevolent
Brethren (2002). All of them imports owned by Dizzny´z kennel.
Hope you have enjoyed my history of OES in Sweden.
Lise-Lott Teir
On the pictures above:
Hjärter Ess Pouchette, Dizzny´z the Account of Isildur, Notown´s Figjam, Ch. Brinkley Cheeky Girl, Ch.
Ragtales Sole Option, have been chosen to represent Sweden today!
Photos in this article were borrowed from private persons, the OES club magazine and the Jubilee Handbook.
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