Gotland has, for at least two hundred years, had its own breed of hunting dogs, a
smallish red or tawny harrier with more or less white markings on paws, chest, neck,
head and tail.
The Gotland Harrier and the Småland Harrier are the two oldest breeds
of Swedish harriers alive today. The Gotland Harrier is a native breed not subjected
to any breeding as showdogs.
They were a common sight on farms on Gotland right up
to the fifties. The Gotland Harrier is a versatile hunting dog, well used for hunting
hare as well as fox.
The Gotland Harrier was recognized as a breed in its own right,
by the Swedish Kennel Club during the period 1920 – 29. Later on the Kennel Club
wanted to reduce the number of breeds of harriers and therefore decided, in spite
of their success at hunting trials, that the Gotland Harrier no longer was an acknowledged
breed in its own right. They remained popular, if in smaller numbers, on the farms
on Gotland, and so the breed lived on. Only about 20 dogs remained at the beginning
of the eighties.
The Gotland Harrier Club was founded in 1988. The club saw to it
that the remaining harriers were registered and the Swedish Kennel Club reacknowledged
the Gotland Harrier as a breed in its own right in 1990. The breed is still rare.
There are only about 130 harriers overall (in 2004) an roughly 50 of them live on
Gotland. The harrier must be preserved as a vital part of the Gotlandic heritage
along with the rest of the Gotlandic native breeds (the Gotland Pony, the Gotland
Sheep, the Gotland Chicken and the Gotland Rabbit). It must also be preserved because
it constitutes a vital part of the genetic manifold of the total amount of breeds
of dogs.
The Gotland Harrier is well known for its soft, friendly temperament and
it is therefore an excellent family dog as well as having outstanding hunting abilities.
The
Gotland Harrier is a healthy breed and it can reach an advanced age.
If you wish to
buy a puppy, obtain pictures, or information about this breed or if you are just
interested in finding out more about the Gotland Harrier, get in touch with one of
the club´s contacts (see below).
The club has about 100 members (in 2004) and the
membership fee is Skr 120 per annum. To become a member send the fee to the club´s
postal giro account nr: 168 64 5 0 – 6. The club´s website is http://www.stovare.se/rasklubbar/gotlands/
The club´s E-
Contacts:
Chairman Secretary
Treasurer
Lennart Pettersson Anders
Lekander Göran Ekelöf
Getor, Rone Pl
4854 Säggeby, Källunge
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