Border Terrier
hunting and family dog

My name is Johan Hamilton, who runs this page. My hunting started in my early teens when I got my first dog – a wire-haired dachshund. Since then, many breeds have followed and today I am approaching 50 years of experience in hunting with dogs. Over the years, I have also worked with breeding and spent many years in animal health care, which has given me a broad and practical perspective on dogs, breeding and function.

Today I have three Border Terriers. During the hunting season I go as a dog handler at least once a week. I have always appreciated working terriers, but the Border Terrier has a special place in my heart – a breed that, properly bred, combines a stable temperament at home with courage, a willingness to work and hunting ability in the forest.

 

The Border Terrier Society is organizationally subordinate to the Swedish Terrier Club. The Terrier Club has a hunting committee consisting of three people – the club chairman and two additional members – none of whom are hunters. Unfortunately, this says a lot about the priorities that currently govern development. When hunting lacks representation, hunting qualities also risk being relegated to the background. The result is a familiar development, a working breed that is slowly shifting towards exhibition ideals and beauty assessments, while the qualities that once made the breed valuable are at risk of being eroded.

 

This page is therefore also inspired by Adolf Hamilton, the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club, whose goal was to promote the breeding of purebred and capable hunting dogs. Today, when the function of hunting is increasingly being relegated to the background within both the SKK and the Swedish Terrier Club, it is hard not to wonder what he would have said about the development.....

 

If you would like to get in touch with me, email me.