A souvenir from Finland

Well it was a whirlwind trip to Finland, I arrived late Saturday and checked straight into airport hotel for well needed sleep as it would be an early start for the show,  so it was a pleasant surprise to be upgraded at the Holiday Inn to an executive suite - though with my stay there only being around 7.5 hours  and most of that for sleeping I couldn't get much benefit from it!  - Nina and Harri then kindly picked me up to visit the show at Kotka, where the weather was bright and sunny - but boy was it cold, -6C without wind chill, which they said took it over -10, great for the dogs.

It was lovely watching so many nice dogs - and lovely to see Fihtolas Qumina take Best bitch and Lecibsin Sappa BIS.  My photos of the day are not great - but lucky for me Harri took some lovely ones.

Then a quick get away from the show to drive north - to rendezvous with Jukka Kuusisto to pick up a souvenir!

Meet Lecibsin Ukas to Elbereth, a 13 month old boy - who we are delighted has joined us, and a huge thank you to Jukka for letting me twist his arm, and let Uka come to UK and to Nina and Harri for helping me with the whole trip/planning etc. Uka is already hip scored and eye tested (pra carrier) and has the sweetest of nature and lovely sensible character, taking the transition from his home at Lecibsin to a stop over at Nina's, and then the long trip here in his stride, Halla and he are already the best of friends.

He has a super pedigree, and is a strong built boy with super movement, below are some super natural photos taken in Finland by Harri.  We are delighted he is here safely and his first night went better than I could have ever expected showing his fabulous temperament - and that of course of Matkamies.  I hope to mate Uka with Shacal Reilu Peli this spring/summer.

Crufts 2016

Well what a show - a thrilling, amazing day at Crufts 2016.  With Matkamies taking BOB back in 2015 it was going to be a hard act to follow.

Elbereth Valkotassu

It started in Post Graduate dog  - I had honour of handling Gemma & Rob's Elbereth Valkotassu - as Gemma is a little too close to the arrival of their baby to be running around the ring - and from a class of 12 dogs  - Tassu was placed 1st, he was so good, showing beautifully for me, and I came out of the ring to a jubilant and very emotional Gemma.  Rob captured their lovely boy on camera.

 In open it was the turn of Multi Ch Elbereth Matkamies ShCM who was second behind one of the top winning dogs from Finland.

Then onto the bitches, where in the veteran bitch class Kia was second, Suvi 4th and Apina VHC, then Tilkkuturkin Hallantuoma to Elbereth JW won the Junior bitch class, and Elbereth Kaikki Meille Allforus won a huge post graduate bitch class of 19 with owner Caron Bell.

Then it was the turn of Elbereth Pelinainen JW who won the strong Limit bitch class, with her best buddy Elbereth Suvituuli taking second in the Good citizen class.

So for the bitch challenge - I was delighted to see three half sisters standing proudly and competing for the bitch CC.  Then over the moon when best bitch was awarded to Pelinainen, and res BB to Hallantuoma.  Peli's second CC and Halla's 4th Res CC.

Then it was the challenge for BOB and we were head to head with the lovely Marymead Muskateer, and so it was a very emotional moment for me, when our judge, Miss Eliina Haapaniemi from Finland awarded BOB to the young (2 year old) Pelinainen, not sure who was more over the moon, owners, Barry & Angela or me!

Especially significant for me is that my four first placed dog/bitches are all sired by the UK's number one dog - Matkamies, from each of his three UK litter and his litter in Finland.

Elbereth Pelinainen JW

Ruth Dalrymple/ The Kennel Club ©

Photo by Yulia Titovets

OnEdition/The Kennel Club ©

Crufts

prejudging

Crufts turned into a two day affair for "Team Elbereth" having qualified for the Breeder Finals, I had to persuade some friends to come along and help show the team on the Friday.  The breeder competition is a points based system, with teams from all breeds collecting points throughout the year, and then the Kennel Club invite the top 50 teams to the final.  Throughout the year, many Elbereth lappies have done their bit to be in the team (s) and I am grateful to their owners support, though it made it a tough call to select the team for the Final.  In the end "Team Elbereth" were represented by myself and Matkamies, Sam Moore and Penikka, Chris Murray and Mikko and Emma Johnstone and Kia.  Sue and Marian, came to support, fetch and carry and take the pictures!

Final judging - photo by Yossi Guy

Each of the teams (three or four dogs) were prejudged by Stuart Plane in ring 1 before the teams lined up to enter the main ring just ahead of the day's group judging.

Then came our exciting entry to the big ring, along with the other teams, a very impressive sight of just short of 50 of the top breeders in the country represented.  We had been advised that the judge would select 10 teams for a short list - and then we would be moved again, so I for one was delighted when our team was called out to make the shortlist.

The judge looked at each team again - and we had the daunting task of running in a line across the large main ring and then all around it in a line, just kept everything crossed that none of us would trip up!  Then to line up again for the final review.  The winners were the Livera Pomeranians, and runners up were  the smart border terriers, but in THIRD place were the finnish lapphunds.  Absolutely delighted, and special thanks not only to the teams handlers but also to Matti Takenen and Jukka Kuusisto, Taina Miettinen and Sue & Roger Dunger for helping me to establish my line here in the UK, all four of the finalists go back to my original bitch - Sulyka Mischa at Elbereth, and her famous pet passport mating to Fin Ch Lumiturpa Nörri, through Toive, with Mikko being the son of Int/Fin Ch Lecibsin Hapmi, Penikka the daughter of Fin/WT Lecibsin Kultakuono, and Matka and Kia not only grandkids of the delightful Hapmi, but from the special litter to Multi Ch Lecibsin Macce. 

You can watch the final on the You Tube channel, with the lappies featuring at 3.50/10.50/12.44/16.06/23.44/24.23/24.51/27.19 minutes





Then as if we had not had enough excitment for the weekend we returned early on Saturday to set up the SFLS Breed stand - and show the dogs under Mrs Pearl Chetwynd (Curdeleon).  I was delighted that Matka won the res dog CC, winning open dog and the Good Citizen classes.

In Memory of Tuukka

Elbereth Tuukka at TabanyaRuu

Sire: Fin Ch Lumiturpa Nörri  Dam: WW02 Sulyka Mischa at Elbereth

26.04.2000 to 15.10.2011

The pet passport litter born on the 26/4/11 was a special litter in every sense of the word, and they have been a big influence on the breed here in the UK, and Tuukka was the essence of that litter.  Tuukka was a great big bear, who touched everyone's heart.  

Liz wanted a flashy marked pup from Echo's last litter, but every time she came to visit the big bear cub of a pup just caught her eye, he was laid back, had a lovely white chest and feet - but was dark!   How many hours did Liz and I deliberate, which pup would it be!!! 

I remember him well always laying out in the sun - trying to cool down laying flat on the grass, with his hind legs stretched back behind him, in the "frog" position that all who knew him called Tuukkaring! 

He grew onto be a super show dog, of great strength and balance - one of those dogs that is a delight to show - free standing and never putting a food wrong.  It was a pleasure to handle him for Liz, and when he won BOB at Crufts 2004 under Jeff Luscott, and we had to run hell for leather to the Group ring, it was a very special day, and we had a terrific fan club cheering us on .  

But more than a show dog -he was Tuukka, the gentle giant who accepted the little Spitz into the family, loved everyone - and through his great nature convinced many of today's owners that a lappy is a perfect dog.  Anyone who met him could not fail to love him.  His temperament continued to amaze the veterinary profession when 3.5 years ago an old injury meant he had his shoulder fused, and he became a bionic dog - under the amazing care of Noel Fitzpatrick. 

But sadly the wear and tear on his body just was too much, and after a perfect day in October he was given peace, reunited with his sire and dam.  A lot of tears have been shed by all who knew him, but were grateful to him for touching our hearts.  A special thank you to Liz, Rory, Dexter and Carelle for loving this special boy so much. 

Catching up

Crumbs its already the third month of 2011 and I have not posted since December!  Must try harder, just seem so busy these days!  With only a few days to Crufts, I can honestly say I am really looking forward to judging the breed at the event with the first set of Challenge Certificates.  A lovely entry of  61 dogs making 69 entries with of course some 30 Elbereth owned or bred dogs ineligible.  Sadly the Elbereth Team is also not able to compete in the Breeder Final - as KC rules say you cannot judge and exhibit at an event, but it was nice to have qualified.  I am hoping that this year will be an exciting year for new litters, have a number of exciting plans in pipeline, and have finders crossed that we will soon have puppy news to share.

Hope you like this super picture of E Norppa and E Taika AW, sent to me by Annmarie, the two dogs looking very regal in front of the beautiful Hampton Court Palace!