The Beginnings of Bayard
Contributed to The American Dachshund Twentieth Anniversary Issue
by Mary Howell
Ever since childhood, I had wanted to own a Dachshund, but my father was a very keen amateur gardener so the rule of our home in England was “no dogs.”
In the spring of 1951, when we were all packed and ready to move from New York City to our new home in Virginia, my husband Harry walked into our apartment in the early hours of the morning with a birthday present for me—Hans, a red longhaired Dachshund!! How Hans hated New York and how happy he was when we moved a few days later and he had 16 acres to roam in.
Hans was whelped in the US from the breeding of two German imports, so he was not at that time eligible for registration. AKC suggested that we show him and stated that, if he finished his championship, they would consider him for registration. Ben Klimkiewicz handled him for us and had no trouble finishing him as Hans was a natural showman who garnered a couple of group placements on the way to his title. Shortly after that, AKC recognized the German stud books again so we were able to register him the normal way as CH Karl Hans von Ritter Bayard.
In the summer of 1952, we bought CH Split Rock’s Electra [editor’s note—who, with 12 Champions, is on the All-Time Top Producing List] already bred to CH William de Sangpur from Gracie Hill. Electra was out of two vd Nidda parents—CH Uhlan, a Vicki son ex CH Black Brocade. We started showing in the Spring of 1953; finished Hans, Electra and two of our first litter.
Since then, I have added Standard Smooths as well as Miniature Smooths and Longs. Twelve of our dogs have finished including eight homebreds.
My real loves, of course, are the Standard Longhairs. They suit me temperament-wise, being less demanding and calmer to live with, while their elegance pleases the eye. At Bayard Kennels, we try, by selective breeding, to improve conformation little by little. Of course, we have our disappointments—and our surprises—like everyone else, and we consider good temperament every bit as important as good conformation.
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See also :
Mary Howell’s Family
Bayard’s Great Leap- CH Bayard’s Tartare – ROMX pending
A Bayard Naming Key