The Naming Game

By Peter Baynes

In a recent article, I came up with a name for a breed in a comic portrayal of that breed’s followers. Compared to the naming of other strange new breeds, Bulgarian Stitch Hound seemed quite normal. I hope some naïve readers didn’t search the Internet for puppies. A regular reader of my column asked (jokingly I hope), “What is the origin of the Bulgarian Stitch Hound?” I thought it was worthy of a stupid reply, so I took a cue from other AKC descriptions, but for brevity, I did not include the usual (unique?) qualities of most breeds, i.e. highly intelligent, faithful, gentle and obedient, loyal to family, affectionate and loving, especially to children, etc. Here is my reply:

“The Bulgarian Stitch Hound is descended from ancient hunting breeds, which existed over 6,000 years ago in the area that is now known as northern Bulgaria. The breed is named after a famous wartime general, General Svatomir Stitch, who not only hunted in that area, but also has a town named after him; Stitch is located in the province of Foschenbaur. A statue of the general and his dog is displayed in the town center. It is obvious why this breed was named “Stitch.” In the late 1800s they were just known as Stitch Hounds in Bulgaria, but when Colonel Algernon Featherstonaugh (pronounced Fanshaw), of the Royal Roamshire Regiment, imported a pair into England, he changed the name to Bulgarian Stitch Hounds. They were used in the First World War as messenger dogs; many current owners proclaim that they can still see signs of dogs with this attribute, as it has been recorded that Stitches will often retrieve mail from the mail carrier. Mail carriers falsely claim that they have been attacked by Stitches.”

Another day, when I’ve had a few more drinks, I may produce the standard for Bulgarian Stitch Hounds, but it is too complex to include in this report. It is also 3,000 words long and has 33 disqualifications.

Back to reality, and a more serious discussion of the naming of breeds and their origins. One of two breeds, the Dobermann Pinscher is named after a person, Louis Dobermann, from Apolda, Germany. To refute any other thoughts of the origins of this breed, Apolda proudly displays a statue of three Dobermanns in one of its squares. Only in this country do we spell the name of the breed with one “N.” I am sure that poor old Louis is turning over in his grave.

The Boykin Spaniel is arguably the only AKC-recognized breed named after a person AND a town. That description could be questioned, as although Mr. L. Whitaker Boykin developed the breed, Boykin is only a small community with some historic charm, but after visiting there, I cruelly described it as a dirt road close to Camden in South Carolina. The truth is, the forerunner of all the Boykin Spaniels in existence today was found as a stray in Spartanburg, South Carolina, our home county. Maybe it should be called a Spartanburg Spaniel. We have boarded many of them throughout the years. In addition, I believe that the Plott (previously Plott Hound) is the only breed named after a family.

Strangely enough there are only a few breeds that take their names from a town or city. The Sealyham Terrier takes its name from a small town in Wales. The Bedlington Terrier origin may not qualify in this list, as Bedlington is a shire according to the AKC. The most recent addition to this list is the Norwich Terrier which was recognized by the AKC, first in 1936 and again in 1979. Norwich is a town in Norfolk County, and the Norwich Terrier has an unusual history as they were originally recognized as Norwich Terriers prick-eared, as separate to the Norwich Terriers drop-eared.
When they were divided into separate breeds, the Norwich Terrier drop-eared was renamed Norfolk Terrier. The prick-eared variety retained the name Norwich Terrier. As a county takes precedence over a town; the prick-eared Norwich would appear to have been demoted. Despite this relegation, two have managed to conquer Westminster twice – Ch. Chidley Willum the Conqueror in 1994, and in 1998, Willum’s half sister, Ch. Fairwood Frolic, triumphed. Both were handled by Peter Green allowing him to equal Percy Roberts’ record of four Best in Shows at Westminster.
As a side note, the judge in 1994 was the elegant Walter Goodman, who sadly passed away the day of the Montgomery County Show this year, the club of which he was President for many years. He also had the distinction of being only one of two breeder-owner-handlers to go Best in Show at Westminster (with his Skye Terrier in 1969) and also judge Best in Show there (in 1994).

Back to other breeds named after towns or cities, The Boston Terrier is an obvious one to be included as it was named after the city in which it originated. It was recognized by the AKC in 1891. It predated acceptance of the Pekingese in 1906, although the Pekingese is named after Peking, which no longer exists. I wonder if the name should be changed to Beigingese?

A good question! I remember when I was in China, I inadvertently asked of my young guides, in a restaurant, whether it was possible to order Peking Duck. They gave me a strange look — with no answer. I am still wondering what they thought. Maybe I am now on a Chinese hit list.
Lovers of Dogues de Bordeuax of Aquitaine may claim that their breed is named after a city, but they also admit that the history of the breed is clouded in mystery; another “hit list” to avoid.

Another breed that could easily change its name is the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The country is now known as Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Ridgeback has a nice, exotic ring to it, and it would hold the distinction of being at the end of all alphabetized breeds — propping them all up.

Another thought: if Germany had invaded England, and in revenge for the British (after the First World War) changing the name of the German Shepherd Dog to Alsatian; we would now have German Cocker Spaniels, German Foxhounds, German Setters, German Springer Spaniels, German Toy Spaniels, and Old German Sheepdogs. I am sure they would not have bothered with those Scottish and Welsh breeds, as they would not want to fight soldiers in dresses and miners who sing all the time. They also would have had a problem renaming the American English Coonhound.
Countries that claim certain breeds for their country and add the country name to the breed are numerous. England leads the way with seven breeds. Although there is no breed named “English Terrier.” Strange, as neighboring countries in the British Isles have the Welsh Terrier, the Irish Terrier, and the Scottish Terrier. Unfortunately, three Hungarian breeds lose their distinctive Hungarian title in this country, those being the Vizsla, the Puli, and the Pumi.

For those interested in trivia, I list the countries and how many breeds are named after that country: England (7), America (5), Ireland (5), Germany (4), Australia, Belgium, Italy, Norway, and Tibet (3), China, Finland, Portugal, Scotland, and Wales (2), Czechoslovakia, Denmark (?), France, Switzerland, Iceland, Japan, Malta, Poland, Rhodesia, Russia, and Sweden (1). Counting the Miscellaneous Class, Argentina, Peru, and Spain (1).

I should explain the question mark after Denmark in the above list. The Great Dane was originally developed by the Germans to hunt boar. Maybe they should be called “Great Germans.” I include the Cesky Terrier under Czechoslovakia, as I presume fanciers of that breed cannot spell Czechoslovakian. They could have compromised and called it a Bohemian Terrier. Another misnomer; the Australian Shepherd was developed in this country, and claimed by other countries other than Australia. One breed trying to please two countries is the American English Coonhound. For impartiality, I counted them in both countries.

I have no explanation why the general public likes to add country titles to their precious pets. Maybe it is a selling point i.e. Chinese Pugs, French Poodles, and English Bulldogs, etc. I could include Japanese Akitas in that list but that is a point which provokes great debate; other countries have Japanese Akitas, and American Akitas (Previously Great Japanese Dogs). Here and in Canada, we lump them together and call them Akitas. This is a rough description of this problem, of which I am sure Akita breeders will put me on their “hit list,” along with the Chinese and French. While I am in their bad books, I could mention “Tweenies” – a combination of both, which, if I was in the naming game I would call them “Japam (or maybe Jam) Akitas.”

The Humane Societies are the biggest culprits in the misnaming game. They sell puppies (and adults) representing them as recognized breeds, when they in no way resemble the breed they claim. We have been operating a boarding kennel for 46 years, but things have changed recently. When new clients call for a reservation, naming their breed of dog, we never know what to expect. A Cavalier, looking nothing like a Cavalier, a Schnauzer that looks like a big white nothing, numerous Jack Russell Terriers, no two alike, a puppy bought as a Boston Terrier, but grew into a Pit Bull lookalike. Adversely we recently boarded a Jack Russell that the clients bought as a puppy, but it never grew, and looks like a baby pig. I don’t get involved, I just look out the window, and later ask my wife, “What breed was that?” When she tells me, I am inclined to call the Humane Society, and ask if they have any Bulgarian Stitch Hound puppies. I am sure they would have several from which I could choose.

Click here to read the complete article from the Canine Chronicle November/December 2013 Issue, Vol. 38 Number 11.

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=40525

Posted by Alex on Dec 29 2013. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.