Phil’s first love is the Basset Hound, acquiring his first show dog with his then-wife Jo, Purchased from Jean and Martin Elliott Jones of the Cwmdale Kennel, a tri male born in 1979 called Cwmdale Kanine. Phil’s early success came when he purchased a dog and 2 bitches from Brian & Pat Wedgwood’s Karipat Kennel in 1986. Karipat Wildair of Switherland and his litter sister Karipat Penelope of Switherland, Wildair became a Champion and Penelope really became the Switherland’s foundation bitch. The second bitch was Karipat Sweetbriyne of Switherland (Polly) who was also born in 1986, Polly became the first Champion in the Switherland Kennel.
Since 1999 when Phil & Marita got together, Marita has been very influential in the Switherland Kennel with the breeding program, rearing of puppies and handling in the ring.
To-date The Switherland Kennel has won over 360 Challenge Certificates and bred or owned a total of 49 UK champion Basset Hounds of which 38 are home bred. Switherland Champions have also been made up in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Guatemala, South Africa, Belarus, Luxemburg, Lithuania, Russia, Italy and Malta.
The Switherland Kennel has had the honour of being awarded top breeder (UK) in Basset Hounds for 25 of the last 26 years and Switherland has been prominent in Top Stud Dog and Top Brood Bitch competitions over the last 30 years at home and abroad. As well as winning groups and Best in Shows at General Championship shows.
Phil became involved with the Midland Branch of the Basset Hound Club as a committee member in 1982 and went on to hold the position of Treasurer and then Secretary a position he held until 1991. Phil then went on to be elected onto the main Basset Hound Club holding the position of Show manager for the club up until 2002 when Phil’s work commitments took over and he had to stand down. Phil became the independent health coordinator for the eight UK Basset Hound Clubs and chaired the groups inaugural meeting in 2011 a position he held until 2013. Phil along with Marita both represent the Midland Basset Hound Club on the health group committee.
Possibly the most famous and well known Switherland Basset Hound is Champion Switherland Blue Jeans whose profile you will see when you go into the Basset Gallery.
I hope you enjoy your visit to the Switherland site.
