Growing
up in Norway I was always drawn to Sweden -
the neighbouring country to the east. In my opinion the Swedes always had the
upper hand in most fields, compared to the Norwegians. As a child my dad’s work
often took him to Sweden, so when joining him on visits there I was exposed to
Swedish culture and the nation’s mentality at an early age.
I loved their language (which undoubtedly is
the most beautiful of the Scandinavian languages), their way of interacting,
their service mindedness, their music, their television, their cars, their
roads, their countryside and their cities. I suppose the Swedish way of life -
though by no means identical - reminded me more of my homeland (UK) than Norway
did. It still does today.
Throughout modern history Sweden has given
the world an awful lot, especially when one takes into account that the
country’s population is only around nine million. What do you think about this
considerable list of world-renowned talent and success? Ingrid Bergman, Britt
Ekland, Anita Ekberg, Dag Hammarskjöld, Raoul Wallenberg, IKEA, Ingmar Bergman,
Marcus Schenkenberg, ABBA, Björn Borg, Volvo, Saab (Pre GM, naturally), Stig
Blomquist, Ace of Base, Erik ”Carlsson på taket” Carlson and Roxette – and this
list could go on and on…
Sweden is one of few countries Betty
Penn-Bull mentions specifically in her book “The Kennelgarth Scottish Terrier
Book”. In the paragraph called “Overseas Connections” she writes: “The Scandinavians seem to have a natural
skill with animals, with their care and breeding. Scottish Terriers appeal to a
number of breeders and exhibitors, perhaps particularly in Sweden, where there
are numerous successful and dedicated enthusiast”. Betty was quite right in
her description of the Swedes. Since the first Scottish Terrier was imported to
Sweden, breeders there have - based on British bloodlines - refined the type
and temperament of our breed. Compared to other countries (i.e. the UK and the
US) what the Swedes have done for our breed is exceptional,
especially
considering that their top year for registrations was 250 (a small number
compared to the UK and US) in the mid-70s, and that every single Swedish
Scottie breeder has had an active professional live - in addition to
breeding many important and outstanding Scotties. What an achievement!
When club chairman Dan Ericsson addressed
the participants at the dinner party celebrating the Swedish Scottish Terrier
Club’s 40th anniversary last month, he (rightfully) praised several of the
guests for their longstanding loyalty to the breed. Many of the guests that
evening had been club members since the club started. Dan went on to say that
in the dog world Scottie fanciers are one of a kind – in as much as that they
are totally faithful to their breed – which is uncommon in the dog world
today.
Looking around the room at the dinner party
I couldn’t help but ask myself how many of the club members present that
evening would be attending the club’s 80th anniversary in 40 years time. (I’ll
be 86 – so I certainly won’t be attending).
My point is: Where are all the younger
Scottie breeders today? Will our breed be in the same situation as the Sealyham
is in presently, in 40 years time? What can we do to prevent this from
happening in Scandinavia, and globally?
I think we need to market our breed
professionally – in new and untraditional medias and arenas. We need to
actively generate more interest for our breed amongst the general public. (Who
will cover the cost of this?) We need to dare to sell puppies to young
first-dog buyers. (I don’t think we need more second or
third-breed breeders, who love other breeds more. (Quite the fundamentalist,
or perhaps even an extremist, am I not?). Some of these young new first-time
owners, head-over-heals in love with their first ever Scottie, will be the
future for our breed. As I already said: The breed’s future won’t be my hands –
or anyone else´s over 40 for that matter.
The Zeitgeist of today’s world, where it
would seem that every other person is, or has, a personal coach, indoctrinates
us into thinking that the present is of utmost importance. In dog-breeding we
know better. We look to the past when we plan to breed. And that’s why I, genetically,
love Sweden. We want every next generation a little bit better - so the
past is just as significant as the present for a conscientious breeder.
But what does the future have in store for our
beloved Scottish Terrier?
Photo: Montage
