The Schipperke Abroad

Canada (contributed to by Fran Hoye)
In the early days of the breed in Canada there was a very significant contribution by English-bred stock. The first Schips to be registered with the Canadian Kennel Club, in 1908, were bred by J. and D. Cochran of Hamilton, Ontario. The first was Siestue Lass who was born in April 1904 and was sired by El Allwyn out of Lady Somerville, both parents it is claimed being of English stock. In 1908 William Parker exhibited an English-bred Schip at a show in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 1912 Mrs. J. C. Smith of Calgary, Alberta imported a dog from England, bred Schips for a number of years, and exhibited Schips at shows from Calgary, Alberta to Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1913 Clare Lamplugh and William Lea, both of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Robert Fairclough of Fernie, British Columbia, imported dogs from England. The most important importations took place in May 1927 when Mrs. Ellen Brown of Toronto, Ontario, brought over, through an authorized agent, a dog (to become Canadian Champion) Roff O' the North, a bitch (to become Canadian Champion) Mirth O' the North, and a second bitch, Mystery of Winder. With these three she founded her Canadian kennel and assumed the prefix of "O' the North", being the most prestigious prefixes in England. Both bitches had been mated before leaving England but "Mystery" lost her litter en route. "Mirth" who had been mated to English Champion Jock O' the North, whelped on 1st July, 1929, producing two dogs and two bitches. One dog died, but the three surviving puppies, plus the other imports, formed the foundation stock of the "O' the North" (Canada) Kennels. During the next thirty years Mrs. Ellen Brown kept the breed before the public eye in Canada and in the United States, breeding in all more than fifty champions.

Now deceased, Mrs. Brown has been succeeded by a number of kennels which trace back their stock to the 1927 imports. In particular, 'Northern Echoes', owned by Miss Alma King but now largely inactive, 'Roetmop' owned by Marjorie Kuyt, and 'Fairlaur' - The kennels of Mrs. Fran Hoye. There are also a number of other, newer breeders whose stock derives from these three kennels.

The English influence in the past quarter century has been negligible. Undoubtedly there have been a few imports for pets, but it is a fact that no English-bred Schipperke has become a Canadian Champion during this period.

Their proximity to the United States has influenced the type of Schipperke being bred and shown in Canada, and while a few Canadian breeders have traveled to England to view the stock here, it has been felt that the differences are now too great to justify importations with a view to breeding with the existing Canadian stock. Concerning colour, the only accepted colour for schipperke in Canada is black. Coloureds were permitted for approximately a decade, but during that time no coloured attained the exalted title of champion.

Entries of Schipperke at Canadian shows are not large, four to six perhaps, but quality is consistently good, and 'placings' in the Non-Sporting Group at the larger shows is common place. Most shows in Canada take place back-to-back, i.e. two societies organize shows very close together at virtually the same time. Two sets of points, which count towards the making of a champion, thus become available, a necessary concession to exhibitors who have to travel long distances.

The Schipperke Club of Canada has been active since 1965 and does much to link the dozen or so breeders who are scattered over this vast country from Prince Edward Island in the Atlantic to Vancouver Island in the Pacific. The Club issues a Newsletter, organizes Booster Shows, and occasionally manages a Specialty Show exclusive to the breed.