Switherland

Breeder of:

Basset Hound
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Switherland The No1 Basset Hound Breeder in UK

photo by: Walker

Switherland The UK's Top Breeder Again in 2024

This follows:

The 1 Basset Hound Kennel UK 2023,2022,2021,2020,2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,
2013, 2012,2011,2010,2009,2008,2007,2006,2005,2004,2003,2002,2000,1999,1998,1997,1996 & 1995

Switherland Quality in depth.

Always available to give help and advice on this wonderful breed. Puppies sometimes available to loving permanent homes.

All Switherland Stud Dogs & Brood Bitches are BVA Eye tested & are UNAFFECTED.

Welcome to Switherland, I have been involved in the world of dogs for 45 years showing, breeding and judging. I live in the UK close to the small town of Newark in Nottinghamshire. This is where I run a small boarding kennels with my partner for 22 years Marita Rodgers.

I am an International Show Judge, awarding CC�s in the UK in Basset Hounds, PBGV�s, GBGV's, Fauves, Afghans, Beagles, Whippets, Norwegian Elkhounds & Dachshunds. I also judge the hound group at Championship show level. I have judged in Holland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Russia, Czech Republic & USA.

My first love is the Basset Hound, acquiring my first show dog with then my wife Jo, from Jean and Martin Elliott Jones of the Cwmdale Kennel, a tri male born in 1979 called Cwmdale Kanine. My early success came when I purchased a dog and 2 bitches from Brian & Pat Wedgwood�s Karipat Kennel. Karipat Wildair who became a Champion, litter sister Karipat Penelope who really became our first foundation bitch and Karipat Sweetbriyne (Polly) who became the first Champion in the Switherland Kennel. To-date I have bred or owned a total of 49 UK champion Basset Hounds. As well as producing Switherland Champions in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, South Africa & Malta. The Switherland Kennel has been top breeder (UK) in Basset Hounds for the last 29 years, Switherland have been prominent in Top Stud Dog and Top Brood Bitch competitions over the last 29 years at home and abroad. As well as winning groups and Best in Show at General Championship shows. Possible the most famous and well known Switherland Basset Hound is Champion Switherland Blue Jeans picture below.

My second breed is the Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit). I had the honour of being the Chairman of The Basset Griffon Vendeen Club, a position I held for 3 years until I retired in 2007. I have bred or owned a total of 10 UK champions in this breed. Possible the most famous being Champion Willowbrae As You Like It, who was bred by Judith Robin Smith, He is the male breed record holder, He has won many Hound Groups and Best in Shows at general Championship shows. you may see his profile when you go into the PBGV Gallery if you click the link to the web site.

I am very happy to talk and give advice on the breed to anyone thinking of owning a basset hound or Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, I do occasionally have puppies available to loving family homes.

Champion Switherland Blue Jeans

photo by: Johnson

Sire Ch. Switherland Desert Orchid
Dam Switherland Designer Jeans
DOB 22nd February 1995
Breeder/Owner Phil & Jo Freer

Winner of: Top Basset Hound 1996,97,98,99 & 2000

Crufts, Best of Breed 1997 & 1999,
Hound Group 2 Crufts 1999,
Blue is the highest placed Basset ever at Crufts.

Winner of 36 Challenge Certificates, 19 Reserve Challenge Certificates
& 36 Best of Breeds at Championship Shows.

Best in Show Winner Scottish Kennel Club Championship Show 1996
Group judge Roy Metcalf, Best in Show judge Frank Kane.

Winner of: 4 Hound Groups
5 Hound Group 2
2 Hound Group 3
3 Hound Group 4

Pedigree Masterfoods Champion Stakes Finalist 1997 & 1999

The mark of a true ambassador

Blue was not only a wonderful show dog he was also a wonderful sire and a fantastic dog to live with. Producing 12 UK Champions, 9 Swedish Champions, Champions in Finland, Norway, Denmark, Malta and World Champion.

He was the Top Sire UK 1999, 2002, 2003 and again 2004.
He finished 3rd Top Sire all breeds in the UK in 2003. Blue became Top Sire in Sweden 1999. You will find him at the back of most of the Swedsun Kennel�s Basset�s pedigrees.

He is sadly missed.

Champion Switherland Betabuy Design

photo by: Johnson

Sire Ch. Switherland Desert Orchid
Dam Switherland Designer Jeans
DOB 22nd February 1995
Breeder/Owner Phil & Jo Freer

Winner of: Pet Plan Junior of the Year 1996
Reserve Best in Show Midland Counties 1996
Top Basset Hound Bitch 1996 & 97
Best in Show Midland Basset Hound Club 1996
11 Challenge Certificates
7 Best of Breeds
7 Reserve Challenge Certificates
1 Hound Group
2 Hound Group 3
Pedigree Masterfoods Champion Stakes Finalist 1997

Betty is litter sister to Blue Jeans; the pair did the double on no less than 5 occasions at championship shows. Betty won The Pet Plan Junior Stakes Final in 1996, qualifying at Windsor under top all-rounder Ellis Hulme. He went on to give her the Hound Group at Midland Counties the same year, where Betty finished up Reserve Best in Show under Terry Nethercot. She won her first CC & Best of Breed under breed specialist Jan Price at WELKS 1996. Her second came at Southern Counties the same year under breed specialist Doreen Campbell. Betty took her title at South Wales 1996 under another breed specialist Nigel Luxmoore-Ball, going on to take group 3.

Ch Switherland Royal Raider

photo by: Freer

Sire Champion Kortebin Return of the King to Switherland
Dam Switherland Touch of Class
DOB 7th September 2004
Breeder Phil Freer
Owner Phil Freer & Marita Rodgers

Winner of:

4 Best of Breed
3 Challenge Certificate
2 Reserve Challenge Certificate

Oliver has started his show career well, winning His First Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed at Darlington Championship Show 2005, aged just 13 months, under breed specialist Trish Wells. At his first outing at Crufts2006, he was placed 1st in the Special Yearling class. At WELKS he gained the Res. CC under the well respected hound judge and breed specialist Mr George Johnston.

In 2007 Oliver has gone on to gain his title of Champion, winning his 2nd Challenge Certificate under breed judge Patsy Tranter, breeder of the famous Champion Lodway Lancer. He went on to win Best in Show on the day at LYC BHC. His title came two weeks later at SKC under another breed judge Tony Coddington who also awarded him Best of Breed.

All Switherland Stud Dogs & Brood Bitches are BVA Eye tested & are UNAFFECTED.

Switherland The UK's Top Breeder Again in 2024.

The No. 1 Basset Hound Kennel
UK 2024

Top Breeder UK 2024,2023,2022,2021,2020, 2019,2018,2017,2016,2015,2014,2013,2012,2011,2010,2009,2008,2007,2006,2005,2004,2003,2002,2000,1999,1998,1997,1996,& 1995
Switherland Quality in depth.

Always available to give help and advice on this wonderful breed