Doggy History
Made in Tunbridge
By Bob Eddy

History was boisterously made at the Tunbridge home of J.P. and Judy Debeuf a week ago Sunday, when Icelandic sheepdogs gathered for a first-ever AKC breed conformation competition. AKC Judge Susan Parsons of Center Harbor, N.H., enthused this week about the event and the breed.

"I have never laughed so much at a show. It was a very laid-back event. Our purpose was to find the best Icelandic sheepdog there, but also to give owners basic instructions in dog show protocol."

Parsons indicated that the breed’s personality made the day fun.

"I generally show and judge terriers," she said. "Never have I worked with dogs at a show where new arrivals would be enthusiastically greeted by the entire pack and then go off to play together. They would do this, yet still be attentive to their owners. There was none of the territorial aggression—dogs were generally mixing off their leads, having a good time. It made for a very fun day."

In the end, Parsons judged Truthur, owned by Stan Hirson and Sara Jones of New York, as "Best in Match" of the 13 adults present.

Thirteen dogs may not seem like a very large showing, but for this breed, which in the 1950s numbered fewer than 40 dogs world-wide, it was a historic occasion.

The Icelandic sheepdog is an ancient breed, dating back to 874 when Vikings introduced them to Iceland for herding livestock. According to Russ and Linda Hansen of the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America (ISAA), this is the parent breed of all spitz dogs, including Pomeranians, corgis, and Finnish spitz breeds. The characteristically curled back tail shows they also share genetic history with malamutes and huskies.

The Sheep Dog Association is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year and boasts 273 members. There are probably now about 600 Icelandic sheepdogs in North America and fewer than 2000 world-wide.

AKC first judged the breed in "companion events" in 2006. This Tunbridge competition was considered a "fun match." Hosted by the ISAA, with an AKC conformation judge officiating, the event is part of the necessary protocol for full breed acceptance by AKC. That may come as early as July 2008.

The dogs in Tunbridge seemed blissfully unaware of their emerging AKC status. Snulla, owned by the Debeufs, nursed her four puppies inside the house as dogs from seven states jumped for balls and played about the yard.