THE HISTORY

The Northern Dachshund Club

by Margaret Turner

Article written June 1987

The origin and history of the N.D.A. is an interesting epic, which, although rather shrouded in the mists of time, revealed enough information to implement the writing of this article.

The Club's Foundation 

In 1898, after joining the ranks of Dachshund enthusiasts, a Mr A.C. de Boinville of Bowden became acquainted with fanciers of the breed in the North.  He was intrigued by the fact that, although they were numerous, they did not seem to take more interest than that of spectating.  The reason for this has reverberated down the years and is with us at the present time, in that the commonplace grievance was that the breed was largely formed of "cliques" which, in the consistent winning of major awards, tended to inhibit the novice exhibitor.  Those who complained most were, in the main, disappointed exhibitor and others who could not for one reason or another gain admittance to the prestige of the Dachshund Club which had been in existence since 1881 and, although based in the South, effectively ruled the Dachshund scene.

At the request therefore of a dozen or so interested people, Mr de Boinville formulated the rules and regulations for an Association based in the North whose main aims would be:

1. the improvement of the breed

2. better classification at shows

3. to offer certain advantages to be enjoyed by members only.

It is interesting that people wanted this latter benefit as it was one of the very things the Dachshund Club was criticised for!  Thus the Northern Dachshund Association came into being and was formally registered with the Kennel Club on the 21st November 1899.

Affiliation with the senior Club was implicit from the beginning, which policy earned Mr de Boinville much in supportive comment and prophecies that such a scheme might last six months.  As this flourishing Club approaches its 90th year such negativism was certainly unwarranted.

The original founder members numbered just six, These were Mrs Scheerbart, Miss Pigott, Messrs Claude Woodhead, Speechly, Ingram, Scott and of course Mr de Boinville.

There were apparently no difficulties in increasing the roll and these staunch supporters were consistent exhibitors unlike the original malcontents, whose main aim had been a desire to usurp the Dachshund Club.  Forthcoming shows were helped by guaranteeing classes with interesting specials and within two years of its existence, although unable to get the desired unity with the Dachshund Club, the N.D.A. was recognized by most leading show committees.

In the club's third year, Capt and Mrs Barry of the Dachshund Club were proposed as members of the N.D.A, which helped consolidate liaison between the two clubs.  In 1907 the revised standard of points were drawn up by a joint committee of the two clubs aided by our most notable Dachshund fancier and member of K.C. Council Mr J F Sayer.  By 1910, the N.D.A and the Dachshund Club were working together in amicable communication on breed interests and their joint support at various shows proved the good feeling between the two.

The First Innovations

The initial committee meeting is recorded as being held at Altringham on 20th September 1900 where it was decided that the A.G.M. would be held at Crystal Palace on the second day of the Kennel Club Show.  Among other points discussed, was the presentation of an original prize money special for Dachshunds born in 1899 to be awarded at a Northern Show; an interesting idea which could be updated and utilised in today's show specials.

At the A.G.M. duly held at Crystal Palace on 17th October 1900, the audited balance sheets were considered highly satisfactory by all present.  The most Hon. the Marquis of Anglesey was elected President, the Secretary and Treasurer were re-elected and a Mr W E Litt MRCVS was elected Vice President.  Other matters involved slight amendments to rules and yet another innovation which concerned a special produce stakes in 1902 for Dachshunds born in 1901.  Further A.G.M's were to be held in March in conjunction with the Manchester Show.  The third A.G.M. held on 26th March 1901 confirmed that the N.D.A. was definitely established on a firm basis, the roll of members at that time numbering 28 and the financial  position once again considered most satisfactory.  Puppy Sweepstakes, guaranteed classes, medals to be won by members and an increasing collection of cups like Wirral and Birkenhead and Shrewbury Show were well supported in breed classes by members of the N.D.A.

Mr de Boinville only officiated as Secretary for two years and shared a further two years with Mr H Locke, who was also a member of the K.C. Council.  This gentleman only served one year as sole secretary, but fortunately for the Club's stability,  Mr T A Lever of Rusholme was elected Secretary in 1904.  He remained at the helm until 1920 after which time details of the N.D.A. affairs receded from written accounts with all records of the Club apparently missing until 1928, when council and committee meetings are duly recorded.  A statement in one of the Dachshund Club's handbooks that the N.D.A. was founded in 1928 is obviously mistaken and whatever happened to the books and papers of that time has never been resolved, but it is a pleasant thought that they might just turn up in someone's old cupboard one day.

It is interesting that in the 1920's the members subscription was one guinea, a lot of money in those days, which went down to 15/- in the 1940's and at the present time is still only £1.00!

N.D.A. Shows

On 13th May 1950 the first Championship Show was recorded as being held at the Sun Colinade, Harrogate.  The Secretary at that time was Mrs E Shepherd of Blackpool.  This lady was on the prestigious Dachshund Club judges list and was of course a successful breeder/exhibitor.  In the early 60's the Club had four sets of Challenge Certificates and from that time to the present day, the N.D.A. has held two shows per year: the Championship Show being held in the spring and an Open Show in late Autumn.

Comtemporary Activities

The N.D.A. today has a flourishing membership with a distribution of exhibitors ranging from Jersey to Mid Lothian.  The principal event of the year is of course the May Championship Show, currently held at Hoyland Sports Centre, Barnsley, conveniently situated some three minutes off the M1 Motorway.  The centrepoint of the show is the table of beautiful cups and trophies, many of so much value as to be irreplaceable if they were ever lost or damaged.

The Open Show in November tends to be a rather more relaxed affair held in the cosy venue of Hugh Ripley Hall, Ripon.  A jovial, busy atmosphere prevails, the order of the day is cheerful conversation and smiles all round as exhibitors sample the catering of the committee which has to be tasted to be believed.  The popular Secretary since 1979, Mrs Jane Naylor, is at great pains to ensure the smooth running of both shows. With six varieties of Dachshunds and their owners to please this is no mean feat, but the willingness of exhibitors to participate in various classes and contribute in various classes and contribute to the rattle etc. shows that in the main the N.D.A. achieves its principal aim - to please exhibitors above all else.

Early Breeders

In 1901, Chairman Mr Claude Woodhead was voted a special association judge as well as being elected by the N.D.A. to represent the Club on the Kennel Club Council.  As well as officiating on the Club's behalf, he also campaigned at that time the outstanding Red Smooth Brandsburton Maximus who won most consistently, so that it was necessary to pass a resolution concerning the replacement of the original  N.D.A. cup which he has won outright.

In the year 1900 no less that seven Champions and other winners were bred by members of the N.D.A. who lived in the North.  These were Ch's Wirral Hollybranch, Hollyberry, Lenchen, Reinish, Brandesburton Judith, Mimosa and Delves Lady.  In addition to this, ten other Champions were owned by members of the N.D.A. nationwide; a tradition which is apparently perpetuated as a count of Champions of all six varieties in the latest Handbook reveals that, out of 146 Champions made up between 1981-83, nearly 50 were bred or owned in the North.

Notable Northern Exhibitors

Consistent showgoers have always figured in office and on the committee of the N.D.A., but without going into too much detail, some well known names have occured throughout the years.

In 1947 Mr Alf Hague was Secretary: although a full time teacher he found time to help the Club in many ways and still managed to breed numerous standard and miniature smooth Champions of which the most famous were Ch Limberin Americano (1962) and well known sibling trio of the 1970's Ch's Loud, Light and Low Laughter.  Sadly, Mr Hague died in 1978, but is commemorated in a memorial puppy stakes with a beautiful cup to add to the many on offer. Mr Geoffrey Farrand took the Secretaryship for a term and is still in fact our present treasurer.  No one in Dachshunds is not familiar with the name of Mrs Bettie Farrand and her Wire Dachshunds, the most well know being Ch Gisbourne Inca (1961) the top winning showdog of his time, later overtaken by his kennelmate Ch Krystona Augustus in the early 80's.

Ch Gisbourne Inca

1954 saw the reins of the N.D.A. in the hands of Secretary Miss K. MacPherson, a relative of the Gatheral family, who consistently dominate the Long-haired variety.  The best know of their many winners is Ch Phaeland Phreeranger, who monopolised the 1970's.  His son Ch Andyc Mighty Mike was the first long to go B.I.S at a General Championship Show in 1985.

Another well known personality in the N.D.A. was Mrs E Dodgshun, President for many years until her death in 1984, who is remembered in an Open Stakes Class at the Championship Show.  The current president  Miss L Blair, with her brother who was a former treasurer, has had a long association with the Club and, although now retired, had enjoyed much success with the Tentsmuir Wires.

Conclusion

The history of the N.D.A. is full of annecdotes like the story of Mr Jim Buck who presented the Show with the Ch Buckmead Miss Miniver Trophy.  This was specially designed by Mr Buck from the most famous bitch of his many Champions and after it was made and presented, he used to go to the show and see who had won it; also to make sire it was in tip-top order and woe-betide somebody if it was not.

The N.D.A has had a few vicissitudes in nearly 100 years, but for the last few years in particular the scenario has been that of an eminently successful, quietly prosperous Club intent on catering not only for Northern enthusiasts but Dachshund fanciers nationwide.  This is of course the entirely correct approach for our second senior breed Club approaching its centenary.