About Us - VALLARITY

Our Breed Friends & Associates

Lynne & Leonie with Candy

Proud to have been a part of Leonies Team Dlarah, Swedish Vallhunds, Australia, and close friends since 2005, until 2011 when her life was tragically taken in a road accident.

Nationals2011 Dexter and Jack

Lynne, Dexter, Jack & Kath

Friends and breed associate with Kath and Greg of Torvall Swedish Vallhunds since 2005

Amanda

Good friends with Amanda of Trendam Swedish Vallhunds, Australia

Marianne and Lynne

Marianne, Teddy, Ricky & Lynne

Friend and breed enthusiast with Marianne Larsson of Sweden since 2006

Tove

Friend and breed associate with Tove Gustavsson of Hockgardens Kennels, Sweden, since 2006,

Jonna Kanerva

Jonna

Friend and breed associate with Jonna Kanerva of Hogalids Kennels, Sweden, since 2009

Natalie & Lynne with Vallarity Puppies

Friend and breed associate with Natalie Morgan of Vanaheim Kennels since 2006

About Us

Wayne, Teddy, Ricky, Ruby, Dexter and Lynne

Established in 2005, Vallarity is only a small breeding establishment, working towards expanding the gene pool in Australasia.

Our dogs share our home with us, so we like to think of ourselves as more of a Swedish Vallhund home, than a kennel. My partner, Wayne, and I enjoy the beauty and freedom of our lifestyle. As well as our wonderful Vallhunds, we share our lives with our little Foxy/Basenji X - Chip, a yellow parrot that never stops talking and a selection of exotic poultry. We share a passion for our dogs, who we count as valued members of our family.

I count myself lucky to have had the companionship of a dog throughout my life. A variety of breeds have come and gone. From Spaniel, Jack Russells to Border Collies. I have bred and shown Staffordshire Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, German Shorthaired Pointers and Golden Retrievers in conformation and obedience under my prefix Midas.

Now you will find my constant companions are Swedish Vallhunds. I spent 12 months looking for a breed of dog that would give me a new experience in dog companionship. I wanted a small dog that could live comfortably inside, travel well, loyal, shed little hair, intelligent without being too demanding ... basically, the perfect pet! Having lived on a farm most of my life, I wanted a dog that would be comfortable with stock and be able to look after itself around the horses and cattle. I really didn't think I would be able to find one dog that would meet all the criteria. That is, until I discovered the Swedish Vallhund! Once I introduced one into my life, I was amazed at the versatility and hardiness, Poppy was everything I could have hoped for, and more. A big thanks to Rose Madsen of Valkrista for sending her to us. I then added a beautiful little red girl to our family. Ruby was bred by Leonie Darling of Dlarah in Australia, she is so precious and I thank Leonie for sending her to us. Our next addition was imported from Sweden. Teddy is a fabulous little man and a great example of the breed, thanks to Tove of Hockgardens Kennel and all the trouble she went to in getting Teddy here.In November 2007 we relocated to New Plymouth, on the West Coast of New Zealand. Although we no longer had farmland to tend, we lived in a semi-rural setting where our dogs enjoyed the beaches, forests and rivers, as well as the neighbouring farmland. Although a lovely area, our heart is in the country so our stay as 'town folk' was short lived.

Our next addition was born there from a litter of 9 puppies by Teddy out of Ruby. Ricky was chosen to join our family due to his great type and wonderful character. This was a long awaited and much planned litter that has exceeded our expectations with 5 of them heading off for future breeding, 2 of them to Australia, both becoming Australian Champions. My intention of contributing to gene pool in Australasia had been realised.

In November 2008 we packed up our motorhome, putting our house on the market and heading around the country to find our next home, having many adventures and inluding as many dog shows as we could. With 5 dogs on board there was never a dull moment!

5 months and 5000 kilometres later .... we found our home. Centrally located in the North Island. The original house of the local Maori Tribes matriarch, the house barely resembles its original form, however the historical relevance of our home and the surrounding areas is not lost. We moved in on the 20 March 2009 and got busy doing further renovation. The dogs love it with lots of room to romp about. We are surrounded by vast views, thousands of acres of farmland and native bush, as well as a secluded pond for the dogs to swim in. February 2010 has seen us add to our family with another Swedish boy. We were very fortunate to be offered Dexter by his breeder Jonna Kanerva, who went to a lot of trouble to send him. And with help from our Vallfriend Ron, we were able to bring him to NZ.

Our other interests include motorbikes, music and surfing for Wayne, and I enjoy showing and breeding the Vallhunds, quilting, gardening including growing heirloom vegetables and breeding Wayondotte and Aracana poultry .

Showing the Dogs

For as long as I can remember I have been involved in a competitive sport, netball, badmington, basketball etc. As a child I was competing at Pony Club level, which led to a successful career in Eventing. I jumped disciplines in my late 20's and competed for 7 years at Rodeos, gaining NZ titles in Barrel Racing. I then went on to successfully breed, train and show Western Paint & Quarter Horses. I gained my Judges ticket, but continued to compete here and in Australia. Wayne was a farrier and horse trainer, and we ran a breeding and training facility and quarantined imported stud horses. My experience within this industry taught me how to decipher lineage, understand genetics and appreciate a well bred, well conformed animal. I enjoyed seeing how my breeding and training stacked, by competing against others in the same sport.

When we had our brief fling as 'townies', I found myself horseless. As I had been dabbling in showing dogs since I was a teenager, I decided to 'scratch my itch' and see what the dog show scene was like. I made the transition from equine to canine, using the same system - research, ask questions and educate myself. I spent a lot of time watching other exhibitors and challenged myself in this new environment.

Getting this rare, little breed out and about is a great conversation starter for the numerous people who have never met a Swedish Vallhund.

From our Window .........


One of our resident Kereru or Native Wood Pigeon	Moonrise over the Kaimai Ranges	Our Bush

Sunset	Harvesting Time

An Ancient Journey, A New Water

We are so lucky to have our water come from a bore that is drilled directly into the Te Waihou water source.

Te Waihou Reserve is pure New Zealand spring water, natures gift to life on earth. Deep below New Zealands surface is a Blue Spring that is revered for its properties of exceptional clarity and exquisite blue hues. The entire area is protected and cared for, and the Blue Spring is recognised as one of the purest water sources in the world.

The colour and visual clarity is testament to the high optical purity of the water. And this is no surprise considering the aquifer from which the Blue Spring bubbles, is up to 250 metres deep. The aquifer that the Blue Spring originates from penetrates deep under the bush clad Mamaku Plateau.

The Plateau gathers rain that fell over 100 years ago which makes its way underground into layered aquifers within fractured rock and volcanic sand aquifers.

The water that flows from the Blue Spring just to the east of the township of Putaruru in the North Island of New Zealand, predates European settlement. Water gushes out of the spring into the Waihou River at a rate of 42 cubic metres per minute (9,240 gallons per minute) and is a constant 11 degrees Celsius all year round. Because of its contact with geological formations, unique mineral composition is imparted into the Spring Water and many of these compositions are reputed to have health giving properties.

Te Waihou means 'new water' and the journey the new water takes begins high in the Mamaku Ranges, a range of rugged hills in the North Island of New Zealand. Located to the west of Lake Rotorua and north of Lake Taupo, they lie to the immediate south of the imposing Kaimai Ranges which stand tall and watch over the east and western sides.

From the ancient eruptions that created Lake Rotorua, layered aquifers were created within fractured rock and volcanic sand. Rainfall recharge from the Mamaku Ranges moves rapidly through the surface sandy soils, then deep into the aquifers that discharge into the Blue SpringWaihou River on the edge of the plateau.

Human activity throughout the ranges and the river from early Maori to the present township has left a vast historical legacy. The Waihou River gave all who travelled it easy access to much of the greater Waikato, as well as the inner forested areas, where bird life provided food, and where the native owl resided which was believed to offer protection for the area. Situated throughout the area are old Maori trails and sites, early coach routes and gold mining relics. A distinct reminder of the past and how important water has been to the people.

Some of my Quilts

"Life's a Beach"

"Wolf Song"

"Star Garden"

Ricky

Teddy

Textile Art

Cotton Thread Quilted on Cotton Fabric - Available on Commission