AM CH STOKE PLACE SAPPER'12 (Imported)
 AKC Reg. No. 209573. Tricolour - Black Blanket with White Collar
BY NIVEK BEAGLES UK


Sapper was born in 1911 at the Stoke Place Kennels, England. He was registered in the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles Stud Book in 1912 and sired several litters here. It was at the Peterborough show that Arthur Little, huntsman of the Wheatley, saw Sapper, he was so impressed with him that he recommended to Mr. Harry C Phipps, Master of the Wheatley Kennels, Long Island, USA, to import him, as they had been searching for a new stud dog to head the team.

So in 1915 Sapper arrived in America and quickly became a bench show Champion. In a short time his influence on the pack was seen. Especially with bitches from the Councillor X Frantic stock. (Two Imported hounds from the Spring Hill Kennels UK). In the spring of 1919, Sapper was shown at Chicago and surprisingly offered for sale. He was purchased by Dr CW Sanford of Arlington Heights, Illinois and later by Victor Wiley of Allenville, Illinois. It is said Sapper was sold for $250 and resold for $125, a princely sum for 1919.

Up to this time, Sapper had had limited opportunities to prove himself outside of the Wheatley Kennels. This now changed and he was widely used at stud on Field Trial and Bench Show bitches. Breeders from all over the country took the opportunity to use him at stud. This grand old hound sired litters right up to his death in 1923, 12 years old. He sired 22 Bench Show Champions, Wheatley Chorus and Costly were Dual Champions. Midway Cute and Nobby Babe Sapper were Fld Champions.

Wheatley Chorus (Fld Ch)
Wheatley Costly (Fld Ch)
Wheatley Masterman
Wheatley Comet
Wheatley Almoner
Wheatley Gauntlet
Wheatley Truant
Wolver Sapper
Dundenberg Fencer
Charmion Leader II
Vernon Somerset Singer
Fannhall Merrymaid
Fannhall Echam
Julietta
Afton Sapper
Lansdowne Sailor
Sapper Sagacious
Midway pal
Follies Rocket
Follies Stella
Follies Fly
Muskeag Betty
Midway Cute 
Nobby Babe Sapper (his last litter)



Reno B Cole, an authority on the breed and notable Beagle author, saw Sapper at Chicago in 1919 and thought he was the best looking Beagle he had seen At 8 years old then, he described him as:-
"a hound of considerable bone and substance, perfectly straight in front with excellent feet, beautiful body and good strong quarters. In head he was all hound, although lacking the extremely long ears that give a Beagle the decided hound expression" 

Later Reno added :- "Stoke Place Sapper very nearly changed our whole idea of Beagle type in America and it may also be said that it was due to him that our present craze for black blankets came into being, often to the exclusion of more important features" 

and finally:- "Many hounds have left a brilliant record as producers of show hounds or working hounds but we believe none have equaled Stoke Place Sapper in the ability to beget hounds good in both lines and certainly none have left so strong an impression upon the appearance of our Beagles"

The Stoke Place Beagle pack, was based at Slough, England. The master was Mr. Howard Vyse. He started in 1895 with 12 inch hounds, some of these are said to be of Mr. Crane's breeding. The height was gradually increased and in 1917 when the Stoke Place disbanded the height was 15 inches. They were described as a quality pack of hounds.

With regards to Sapper's ancestry, his dam Winsome '08 (pictured), won the Champion Cup at Peterborough for best single bitch any age and along with Scholar '09 and 4 others won the best 3 couples of either sex and any age from one kennel in 1910. In 1912 She won the Silver cup for best registered bitch and with another won the best couple of entered bitches. Scholar '09, with another, were best couple of any age and either sex not exceeding 14 inches. For those interested, while I have the book open, Spring Hill Councillor '11 was in some second place groups this year. Scholar '09 (13 1/2 inches) was himself exported to America, to Mr. Appleton of the Waldingfield Beagles and went later to Mr. Burden of the Ragdale. Whilst in England he made quite a name for himself as a successful sire and his name in a pedigree guaranteed work and good looks. However he did not make such an impression in America and his blood can be mostly found through Sapper.

Am Ch STOKE PLACE SAPPER'12 (Imported)
PEDIGREE BY NIVEK BEAGLES UK.

Parents

Grand-Parents

Great-Grand-Parents

Great-Great-Grand-Parents
STOKE PLACE SCHOLAR'09 STOKE PLACE SCAMPER A'07 STOKE PLACE SAMBO'06 STOKE PLACE SOLOMON'01
STOKE PLACE LIBERTY'04
STOKE PLACE WAKEFUL ETON COLLEGE WOODMAN
ETON COLLEGE PENITENT
STOKE PLACE MOCKERY'07 CHESHIRE MERRYBOY'03 HULTON GAMESTER 1900
HULTON MERRYLASS 1898
CHESHIRE MOVEMENT'01 CHESHIRE BELLMAN 1892
NORTH WORCESTERSHIRE MARVELLOUS 1896
STOKE PLACE WINSOME'08 STOKE PLACE WATCHMAN'06 CHAWSTON GUARDSMAN 1900 CHESHIRE BELLMAN 1892
CHAWSTON GAYLASS 1897
HULTON WANTON'03 CHESHIRE DAUNTLESS 1895
HULTON WONDER'01
STOKE PLACE MISCHIEF'05 STOKE PLACE ARCHIE'03 CHAWSTON GUARDSMAN 1900
STOKE PLACE MADCAP 1898
STOKE PLACE MOCKERY 1900 ALDERSHOT COMRADE 1898
STOKE PLACE MUSIC 1895

Footnote - Arthur Little must have seen Sapper at Peterborough in 1914 as the 1915 show was cancelled due to the war. This might also explain why Sapper went to America as many packs were disbanded or reduced their stock due to shortage of food.

With thanks to Reno Cole, IW Carrel, Hounds and Hunting and The AMHAB.