Elbereth Finnish Lapphunds

Friday 5 November 2010

Manic times

Do you think it would be good idea to have metric days - maybe 30 hours a day instead of 24!! Then I might stand a small chance of keeping up with everything!  Since last post, lots have happened, Matka delighted Phillip and I by winning his two classes at the FLC of GB show and then Best dog at City of Birmingham under Val Foss.  We then had a lovely day at South Wales with Matka taking BOB under Bob Gregory and his Aunt Elbereth Suvi at Cochochr ShCM.  Suvi has a great record at this venue winning Best bitch there every show this year:) .

At Midland Cos it was a super double for Chris Murray's  Elbereth Mikko ShCM and Sylvia Hughes' Suvi, with their aunt Elbereth Noki at Oberitz taking res BB at 10.5 years of age.

Now we have all the health tests covered we are planning a 'romantic' assignation between E Matkamies and E Penikka, so could be some more handsome wolf sables about in the new year - fingers crossed.

Kaisa
The Kennel Club's monthly magazine - The Kennel Gazette features the Finnish Lapphund in the November issue - and I was really proud that they chose a lovely photo of Elbereth Kaisa at Arktinen for the cover

One question I get asked a lot is what is the difference between the border collie and Finnish Lapphund?  They are of course both herding breeds, but have totally different work ethics.  The collie is a very dedicated worker, often has a compulsive behaviour disorder and will never stop performing - be it herding - be it chasing a ball or running on an agility course.  The lapphund is more selective - they like to do their own thing - but know when its right or wrong, they are just as easy to train as a border collie, just don't always do what you ask every time - that I guess is part of their charm! and their great sense of humour!  As to grooming - because the Lapphund is heavy coated people assume they need a lot of grooming, yet their coats are really low maintenance, and really takes a lot of neglect before it matts - whereas the low tail of a collie is a definite brush for all loose brambles and twigs!  And the long hair tends to knot up easily.

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