AUS GRAND Ch
Leesway Swedish Echo
"Swede"
5 June 1994 - 24 December 2002
Colour: Grey Yellow
Tail: Docked
Height: 35.5 cm
Breeder Mandy Lees
Ch Leesway Swedish Echo (Swede) was born on the 5 June 1994
from a litter of 5, 3 bitches & 2 dogs, out of an English import bitch
Svedala Lilla Gunborg of Hildrek (Gunni). This litter has proved to be one of
the most successful Swedish Vallhunds litters born in Australia with all progeny
gaining their championship titles, 3 are Royal Best of Breed and multiple class
in group winners, Abba gaining an Endurance Title and Ch Leesway Viking (Kyte)
gaining his Companion Dog and Tracking Title. Not forgetting Swedes
achievements. He was a Best in Group winner, 2 Runner-up in groups, multiple
class in groups,Best of Breed Sydney Royal
97 & 98, Melbourne Royal 96, Brisbane Royal 99, Canberra 95, 96, 97, 99,
2000, consolation to Best in Show – Working Dog Club of NSW 2000 and 1200
challenge points.
Australasia’s first Swedish Vallhund Grand Champion. My first introduction to Swedish Vallhunds was 1994 via my
sister, Jan Franks, who suggested I contact Mandy Lees as she was looking for
someone to take on the role of breed promotion. Mandy was distraught after the
tragic loss of ‘Gunni’ and felt she was not able at the time to fulfil the
demands of promoting two rare breeds (Swedish Vallhunds and Australian Shepherds). Sometimes it is said that one person’s loss is another’s gain that
was exactly the circumstances that brought me to this breed. I left Mandys that
day with 3 Swedish Vallhunds, Swede, Annie & Abba.
Six months after owning Swede he suffered a very nasty dog attack, at the time of the
incident, it took 2 hours to find him. He was rushed
to the vet where we discovered the front of his throat had been ripped apart, he
had a heart rate of 220, suffering from shock. It was touch and go for a few
days, I was not sure he would survive let alone be able to be shown again.
While Swede bore the physical scars of his encounter he bore little or no
emotional scars, apart from lacking a little confidence when first returning to
the ring some 5 months later.
Mrs Jean Fournier (USA) once described Swede as a “nice
sound dog” an apt description.Swede was a trailblazer for the breed, paving the way for the
up coming youngsters. Swede was an honest dog with a superb temperament, a
lovely natured gentle dog, my beloved friend and companion.
A grand dog who had a grand
title.
My thanks must go to all those judges who acknowledged
Swede's virtues and a special thanks to Mandy Lees, Swede's breeder, Jan Franks,
Berna Merchant, Margaret Rockey and all the Rare & Minority Working Breed
owners who have supported me ring side to achieve this goal. With out your
support we would not have made it.
Sadly on the 24 December 2002 Swede left
us for the rainbow bridge, we will never know what caused his untimely death. He
is greatly missed I have no doubt his legacy lives on through his children and
wish his daughter Jewel residing in the USA every success.
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