Bericote Afghan Hounds UK,
Miss Alice M M Simmons
by Steve Tillotson 2014, 2017
1. ABOUT MISS SIMMONS AND HER BERICOTE AFGHAN HOUNDS
Bericote is the name of Miss Alice M.M. Simmon's small but very important Afghan hound kennel that was active from the mid 1920's through to the early 1930's. As we will learn in this short article, Bericote was a "pivotal" kennel and supplied the next generation of breeders with very important breeding stock. Miss Simmons' choice for her kennels foundation was the bitch Ch Alfreda (Shahzada x Afroz born September 3, 1926, bred by Mr H Duffy). Shahzada and Afroz (born c 1923, parents and breeder unknown) were imported from India in 1924 by Mrs B de la Motte (Razmak). Margaret Niblock (page 123) in her book describes Alfreda as being "similar in type to Zardin". Miss Simmons mated Alfreda to Sirdar of Ghazni in 1928 and, in her second and final breeding she mated Alfreda to a son of Sirdar - Ashna of Ghazn in 1931. Miss Simmons thus created a third foundation blended line for the breed. (btw Shahzada mentioned above is not the Shahzada donated by Mrs Whitbread and on display at the British Museum, that Shahzada was born around 1890)
Alfreda (right) with a Bericote Kennelmate (Barbara Of Bericote).  |
A few more photos of Alreda - As a pupp, 6 months of age (left). 3 years of age (middle), 4 years of age (right)  |
A couple of news clippings above mentioning Shah Zeman Of Wahsdarb (bred by Miss Simmons)
Alfreda (owned by Miss Simmons) and Sirfreda (bred by Miss Simmons, owned by Mrs Squibb).
A quick glance of the six UK authored breed books we have at hand reveals that one book provdes two paragraphs on Bericote, the other five books give, at best a sentance, or just a mention of the kennel name, or nothing at all. AHT is pleased to provide this article and highlight a kennel and breeder who's importance and contribution has long since been understated.
Miss Simmons was a past secretary of the UK's Afghan Hound Association and was also on the committee that wrote the UK breed standard that is still in use today. As well as being owner/exhibitor/breeder and important AHA committe member, Miss Simmons was also a popular Judge of the breed -
Photo above of Miss Simmons (Bericote) judging Afghan hounds at the East Sussex Canine Socities' show held at the Indoor Bowls Pavillion, White Rock Gardens, Hastings, Kent, England on 13th August 1949. We do not have full details of entry or results but the article tells us that The "Grayling" cup for best opposite was awarded to Mrs Rileys Bletchingley Tajomeer and who is presumably one of the Afghan hounds in the photo above, possibly the left most hound, if the lady handler is in fact Peggy Riley?
Bericote hounds 1930
2. SUMMARY OF AFGHAN HOUNDS OWNED OR BRED BY MISS SIMMONS
| Name | Parents | D.O.B. | Breeder | Owner |
| CH Alfreda | (Shahzada x Afroz) | 1926-09-03 | Breeder Mr H Duffy | Owner Miss Alice M M Simmons |
| CH Sirfreda | (Sirdar Of Ghazni x Alfreda) | 1928-01-26 | Breeder Miss Alice M M Simmons | 1st Owner Mrs E M Squibb
2nd Owner Mrs E E Drinkwater (Geufron) |
| Shah Zemen Of Wahsdarb | (Sirdar Of Ghazni x Alfreda) | 1928-01-26 | Breeder Miss Alice M M Simmons | Owner Mrs Isobel Bradshaw (Wahsdarb) |
| Sheila Of Bericote | (Sirdar Of Ghazni x Alfreda) | 1928-01-26 | Breeder Miss Alice M M Simmons | Owner Mrs A M Heywood |
| Barbara Of Bericote | (Sirdar Of Ghazni x Alfreda) | 1928-01-26 | Breeder Miss Alice M M Simmons | 1st Owner Mrs A M Heywood
2nd Owner Mr H Long
3rd owner Miss A M M Simmons |
| Nemo Of Bericote | (Sirdar Of Ghazni x Alfreda) | 1928-01-26 | Breeder Miss Alice M M Simmons | 1st Owner Mrs A M Heywood
2nd Owner Mr H Long
3rd owner Miss A M M Simmons |
| Amanullah | (Ashna Of Ghazni x Alfreda) | 1931-07-13 | Breeder Miss Alice M M Simmons | 1st Owner Miss Alice M M Simmons
2nd Owner Molly Sharpe (Chaman) |
| Safiya | (Ashna Of Ghazni x Alfreda) | 1931-07-13 | Breeder Miss Alice M M Simmons | 1st owner Mrs Edna Carlton
2nd owner Mr & Mrs C D Roe
3rd owner Molly Sharpe (Chaman) |
| Garrymhor Souriya | (Ashna Of Ghazni x Alfreda) | 1931-07-13 | Breeder Miss Alice M M Simmons | Owner Mrs Olive Couper (Garrymhor) |
| Ramo of Retaw Syab | (Ashna Of Ghazni x Alfreda) | 1931-07-13 | Breeder Miss Alice M M Simmons | 1st Owner, Mr T H Watt ( Retaw Syab)
2nd Owner Miss F H Clark |
| Naida of Retaw Syab | (Ashna Of Ghazni x Alfreda) | 1931-07-13 | Breeder Miss Alice M M Simmons | Owner Mr T H Watt (Retaw Syab) |
Ch Ashna Of Ghazni, sire of the second Bericote litter
So what makes Bericote so special? - Well, if you look at the list above of Bericote breedings
you will notice Amanullah, Safiya, bred by Miss Simmons, and owned by Molly Sharpe. Visit the
Molly Sharpe section to learn more about the signifigance of this breeding
Similarly, visit the Garrymhor section to learn more about the signifigance of Garrymhor Souriya
bred by Miss Simmons
Finally, Mrs Bradshaw was a staunch supporter of Mary Amps (Ghazni), so we consider it significant
that Mrs Bradshaw deviated from the pure Ghazni preference and procurred a blended Ghazni Afghan
from Miss Simmons
Three UK Champions came out of Miss Simmons kennel - Ch Alfreda, Ch Sirfreda and
Ch Garrymhor Souriya. Several more champions came out of second generation descendents bred by
those in the list above who invested in Bericote bloodlines. Considering Miss Simmons was only
owner/breeder of 11 Afghan hounds, and active over a very short period of time (1926-1931),
Miss Simmons made a remarkable and significant contribution to the development of the breed as
it emerged from its early foundations. In addition Miss Simmons was past Secretary of the Afghan Hound
Association and contributed to the composition of the current UK breed standard
We will do further research and expand this page
Related Content
Garrymhor UK Afghan Hounds
Molly Sharpe (Chaman UK) Pages
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