It is in the greatest feeling of sorrow we hereby inform you that Dr. Per-Erik Sundgren, after years of struggle with cancer, died on the first of January 2010, 73 years old.
Per-Erik Sundgren has influenced the preservation of dog breeds for decades, especially small populations with very limited genetic variation. Almost 20 years ago he became especially involved in the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Gudrun R. Gudjohnsen, at that time president of the Icelandic Kennel Club (Hundaraektarfélag Íslands/HRFÍ), met Per-Erik in a Nordic Kennel Union seminar about "inbreeding and how to preserve genetic variation in limited breed populations".
At that time the Minister of Agriculture in Iceland had appointed a committee with the mission to suggest guidelines for future preservation of the Icelandic Sheepdog (further below). Gudrun was a part of the committee and she convinced the Minister to invite Per-Erik for a meeting with the committee in Iceland. This was very successful and for sure an important step towards the international breed cooperation, later known as Icelandic Sheepdog International Cooperation. ISIC was formed in 1996.
Some years before this, already in 1991, the Swedish Icelandic Sheepdog breed club organized the first breeding meting with Per-Erik Sundgren and with the same focus (further below).
Since then, scientists, scientific studies and experiences have been very important in ISIC.
Some events from the past showing Per-Eriks involvement in the Icelandic Sheepdog
My first lecture with Per-Erik Sundgren around 30 years ago was not about genetics. It focused on dog mentality and spreading of dog diseases. Per-Erik was interested in so many big and important questions. Per-Erik has been one of my mentors since then. We were equally curious to explore reasons and effects in different dog matters. That made our talks long and phone bills high but it was always worth it, for both of us I think.
Both Gudrun and Wilfred asked where the Icelandic Sheepdog would have been without Per-Erik's fantastic energy and interest and that is worth thinking of...
Finally I will use ISAA/Donna McDermott's words about Per-Erik. They could be my own, hundreds of others and for sure ISIC`s:
" What an amazing man with his kind heart and patient, gentle mentoring."
On behalf of ISIC/C
Hans-Åke Sperne
Vi er medlem av /
member of:
NKK
og
Icelandic Sheepdog
International Committe