About Claryhill
Commitment to the Breed
Hello! My name is Patricia Arfsten, the founder of Claryhill Lapphunds. Preserving and protecting this rare and special breed is my primary commitment. Claryhill is a very small kennel focused on developing a line of lappies here in the states that will contribute to the preservation efforts in progress on behalf of the breed in Sweden.
A Brief History
Claryhill California is a work in progress. The story began in 1995 when I was adopted by a stray puppy wandering in my neighborhood. She was starving, exhausted and very sick; and she chose to live with me... I was delighted! This little two month old pup blossomed into a beautiful coal black girl named Sophie.
I was curious as to what breed(s) she might be. The vet suggested chow/shepherd mix - didn't quite seem to fit with her build and temperament to me. After exploring many breed books I was convinced I had found her breed. She was a Swedish Lapphund!! She looked so much like the photos I found and her temperament was quite 'lappie' from what I read. I certainly had never heard of this breed before - how strange one would be wandering in my neighborhood...
I was unable to find anyone with info here in the states. In my interest to learn about the breed, I contacted several breeders in Sweden. 
Well, to make a long story short, I soon realized that Sophie was not a Swedish Lapphund although I will always consider her my first "lappie". In 2000 I traveled to Sweden to meet with breeders and experience lappie energy up close and personal. After this trip it was a done deal... I decided to bring a lappie into my home and on December 16, 2004 Cahppes Barbmoloddi, aka Loddi, arrived in San Francisco.
My thanks to...
There are several folks who have helped me along the way and to whom I am very grateful for all their continuing support and mentoring. A few I will mention here are:
Clary Stråhle - 
I never met Clary. She died a few years before my first trip to Sweden and yet she is a major force behind my interests and efforts with the breed. Clary was one of the early breeders in the mid 1900s whose efforts helped to bring the breed back from the edge of extinction. Her home in Osterfarnebo, Sweden was known to many in the Swedish lappie community as Claryhill. When I was considering what to name my line of lappies I wanted a name that honored Clary and reflected the history of the breed - thus Claryhill California was born.
Jane Åhmark-Vikman - Jane, along with her husband Tomas and daughter Astrid, was my first major link to the lappie community. We shared many emails about the breed prior to my first trip over. A co-owner of Stråhles Kennel with her mother Anna-Lisa Åhmark, she was tireless in answering the MANY questions I had about the breed and it's history. It was through Jane that I connected with Anci and Henrik Emanuelsson of Cahppes Kennel, the breeders of my first lappie, Loddi. Both she and her family continue to mentor and support my efforts and over the years have become family to me.
Anci and Henrik Emanuelsson - When I was ready to bring my first lappie home Jane introduced me to Anci and Henrik of Cahppes Kennel. We exchanged many emails getting acquainted and exploring the possibility of my importing one of their pups. Finally the day arrived and Loddi came home in December of 2004. Anci and Henrik have been very patient with my many questions about the breed and they continue to be invaluable mentors and friends on this journey.
Anna-Lisa Åhmark - 
Anna-Lisa worked for many years with Clary and upon Clary's death she, along with her daughter Jane, continued the Stråhles line. During my first trip to Sweden I met Anna-Lisa at Claryhill were she now lives. Sitting in Clary's kitchen, hearing stories of Clary's early efforts from someone who knew her so well and being surrounded by Stråhles lappies was magical! Before long I was on the floor playing with a sea of lappies and getting more than my share of lappie kisses and hugs. Little did I know I was being interviewed as to whether I was right for the breed... ;). Thank heavens I passed! Anna-Lisa continues to be a valued mentor and friend. She is the breeder of my second lappie, Stråhles Illu Anna.
And Countless Others - Over the last ten years I have met so many incredible breeders and folks involved with Swedish lappies. Their commitment to this national breed of Sweden has been inspiring. For the growing list of these folks. check my links page. I am grateful to each and every one of you - for your time, your friendship, your valuable knowledge of the breed and your efforts on behalf of the Swedish Lapphund! I am pleased to be a member of this special community!
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claryhill_lapphunds@yahoo.com