I was first told about the Belgian
Shepherd by Mr Eric Irvine with whom I used to train Border Collies for
Obedience competition work in the 1950's. Together with various other enthusiasts Mr Irvine
and myself contributed to a fund to import two Groenendaels. When we had
saved enough money a Groenendael male Indo des
Forges Monceux and a Groenendael female
Inkasa dea Forges Monceaux were purchased and imported into the
UK. These two were bred by Madam Remant. Over the years I have been involved with
a number of other Groenendael imports. Ten years after the introduction of
the Groenendael to the UK Mr Irvine and myself decided to import the
Tervueren. We made contact with Madam Muller of the 'du
Close Saint Jacques' kennel and we purchased and imported a male
Ungo du Clos Saint Jacques and the female
Ula du Clos Saint Jacques. Pictured right
Mr Irvine was going to have Ungo on
his release from quarantine but decided to sell him to Mr & Mrs Wesley.
I had Ula, she mated to Ungo in due course produced the first UK
Tervueren litter. There were 3 pups 2 bitches and 1 dog, all grays.
These were Zellik Alexis and he was
purchased by Mrs Margaret November who campaigned him both in the show
ring and in obedience classes.
Zellik Alexandra. She was purchased by Mrs Karen Watson
who ultimately took her abroad with her and showed on the continent with
considerable success. I kept the third pup Zellik Artemia
who I showed and who later produced us a litter. I was pleased to co-own with Mr Irvine the
first UK Groenendael Champion Ch
Quentin de la Baraque de Planches. He was bred by Mr Leon Bottemanne but
was born in quarantine as his mum Peggy de la Baraque de
Planches was imported in whelp by Mrs A Stammers.
Quentin was a beautiful dog with an excellent character, good conformation
and outstanding movement. Unfortunately when he was used at stud he was not a
dominant sire, but at that time there weren't many bitches of good type to mate
him to.
I have judged Belgians on many
occasions in the UK and Canada where I saw some lovely Belgians and met many
Breeders and Owners. I was also on the first committee of the then newly formed
BSDA and at one time the Chairperson of the Club. I will continue to endeavor
to breed the correct type of Belgian Shepherd Dog under the Zellik prefix.
Above:-Dennis and
Poppy with Sarah at the kennels.
Left:- Me at
the kennels with Mindy at 4 weeks
And Below:- Three pictures of the old Bobbing Kennels