Keeshonds of the 1920's
The article below from 1925 mentions that the Keeshond Club is already in existence. Note that several people are breeding under the name "van Zaan Dan". Mrs. Wingfield Digby had not at that point registered "van Zaandam" as her affix, as she was still trying to persuade the Kennel Club to break their rule banning foreign affixes.
With the help of Miss Van der Blom of Holland Bartel
van Zaandam (below) and Tilly
van Zaandam (see below) were imported,
and they had to spend six months in quarantine at kennels in Southampton. Bartel had been bred by Mr. E. Schmidt of Sindelfingen near Stuttgart,
and in 1930 became the second champion in the breed, his grandson Dochfour
Hendrik being the first. Bartel and
Tilly’s progeny included Karel van Zaandam (below) and Gilda de Witt (below), both well-known dogs of
their day. Bartel was born in 1923. His sire was Wachter von Zuffenhausen (born 1916) and his dam was Agnes von der Maiblume (born in 1921) Bartel was imported by Mrs. Wingfield Digby in 1925, and formerly known as Billo von der Maiblume.
Cely von Jura de Witt (below) was owned by Mrs. Morton and was born in 1926
On the left (below) are Saanie (left) and Breda (right) at Birmingham Championship Show in 1923. They were shown as Dutch Barge Dogs. They are littermates, with Theunis and Jan also in the litter, born 26th March 1923. The sire was Terschelling van Zaandam (Texel x Schie) and the dam was Amalia van Zaandam (Dirk x Edam, two more early imports of Mrs Digby's).
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The story of how Mrs. Norton acquired her first
keeshond would raise eyebrows today! A
keeshond puppy was raffled for half a crown and the winner, a judge and breeder
of griffons, gave the puppy to Mrs. Norton.
She almost inevitably became an enthusiast for the breed, breeding under
the Van Eyck affix. (see above)
Below is Oldebury Zaap in 1926. He won Any Variety Foreign Dog in that year, and his 8-week old litter of puppies were shown at Alexandra Palace and won second in Any Variety Litter! No concerns about infection in those days!
Below is Gesina van Zaandam in 1927, shown on the steps of Sherborne Castle. She had won more 1st prizes than any other bitch at that time. Also shown is Ali von der Sternwarte and Saartje van Zaandam, Gesina's daughter
Dochfour Hendrik (below right) was the first Keeshond to become a champion. He was born in 1926, the son of Hendrik van Zaandam (imported in 1925 by Mrs. Wingfield Digby and formerly registered as Horst am Ziel, son of Fips Sauter and Christel am Ziel) and Gesina van Zaandam. (below centre) He went on to sire many well-known winners and champions. |
Doreen Anderson of Kultz kept meticulous diaries of events from 1923 until 1943 and summarised each year in a single book. Unfortunately the original diaries do not survive but in her summary, which still exists, she notes all imports, important dogs, notable breeders and litters born during the year, together with many photos, as well as noting the results of shows and the critiques of the judges. In 1923 she says “Amalia can be regarded as the keystone on which the breed was built up from the Dutch importations as mated to Terschelling she produced the famous Breda among her progeny”. Amalia had her first litter at the age of eight years. Also in 1923 Mrs Anderson names Breda as the outstanding dog of the year, as her progeny so greatly influenced the breed
Once the Keeshond Club had become established the keeshond increased rapidly in popularity. Breeders collaborated in importing dogs from Germany and these imports became the foundation of the British keeshond. In 1928 Challenge Certificates were awarded to the breed for the first time, and Bartel van Zaandam won the first ticket. Ado von Thierlstein (right), another dog imported from Germany sired by Ger. Ch. Geron am Ziel (see picture), won the ticket the following year. Geron am Ziel was also the sire of the first Keeshond to be registered in America, Carl Hinderer’s Bella von Trennfeld, and of Guelder Geron, born in 1928. (see picture). |
Dochfour Hendrik (above right) was to become the first champion in the breed, winning his third ticket under Mrs Wingfield Digby at the LKA in 1929. Mrs Wingfield Digby comments “This is an outstanding dog; his carriage and action are perfect; his coat is beautiful; his ears small and well-set; dark eyes; lovely colouring; to try and fault him, he is on the big side, rather tall on his legs, and snout a shade long, and spectacles might be more clearly marked.”
Breeders in England were increasing in number by the end of the 1920’s. Well-known names like Baroness Burton, Miss Hastings, Mrs Gatacre, Mrs Norton and Mrs Morton were all active in importing and breeding, along with other less well-known owners and breeders. In 1926 just 33 dogs had been registered with the Kennel Club, and two years later the number had increased to 131
Breeders in England were increasing in number by the end of the 1920’s. Well-known names like Baroness Burton, Miss Hastings, Mrs Gatacre, Mrs Norton and Mrs Morton were all active in importing and breeding, along with other less well-known owners and breeders. In 1926 just 33 dogs had been registered with the Kennel Club, and two years later the number had increased to 131