Another Catch Up!

Been a very busy start to the year and lots of lovely news and results to share  - its such a lot of fun when you have a new litter out - and they are doing so well for their owners.  Most of the shows now seem to involve an overnight stay with extended lappy family, a fun day out at the show, and impromptu picnic/parties with nibbles and cava/fizz!  Everyone bringing something to share, and whether we are celebrating or commiserating (not much of the latter!!) we all have a lot of fun.

At the start of May I had been invited to judge the Swedish Club's special anniversary show - and was over the moon with an entry of 105 dogs, though sadly under FCI rules judges are limited to 80 dogs, so with puppies transferred to another judge I was left with 85, and had special permission to judge these.  It was a lovely day, and the hospitality was super.  Best Lapphund and BIS was Multi Ch Skraedderbakken's Amalie, with BOS to Multi Ch Lapinlumon Elämänilo.  The Dog CAC was Lecibsin Tomi and bitch CAC was Maljalkes Onni. 

E Matkamies (photo by Karen Anderson)

Onto Scotland where CCs were on offer and Ernie Patterson was judging, his BOB was Mult Ch Elbereth Matkamies (8th CC) and then we were over the moon to see Judi Cross show Elbereth Marja to her third CC and her UK title.  The third Elbereth Champion in the breed (there are only two others!).  

Southern Cos is a very popular show for exhibitors with a Finnish judge and a single CC/res CC on offer.  Reino Korpela judged the lapphunds, and Elbereth Matkamies was reserve best male (a great result considering he is rather out of coat) and Shelley Cooper won Best bitch and the res CC with Elbereth Apina, looking so good.  It was a last puppy show for the Matka x Penikka puppies, so delighted that E Miskakarhu and E Suvi Tuuli did the double again with Miska taking BP overall.  What made the day super special was the whole litter of EIGHT came to the show and exhibited - doubt that has happened many times in any breed such a large litter in its entirety at the show, and I have to say I was as proud as punch as they are all gorgeous. 

puppies in birth order L to R (photo by Mark Treasure)

Miska (photo Karen Anderson)

Tuuli (photo Karen Anderson)

Since her first birthday Tuuli has gone on to bigger and better awards, with Best Bitch at Blackpool under Celia Vines, where E Mikko was BOB, and RBB at Windsor to her mum, the lovely E Penikka.

Crufts News

Lovely weekend at Crufts - we were sensible and stayed close by to the NEC so could compete in the Agria Breeders' team finals and then in the breed classes.  On the Saturday, the breeder final was as ever highly competitive with just under 50 top teams compering under watchful eye of Michael Coad,   The Elbereth Lapphund team were pulled out in the last 10 an amazing achievement - so proud of Matkamies, Kia Joins Bridus, Penikka and Mikko, and all other Elbereth dogs who have been in the teams over the year.

On the Sunday - the breed judging took place and Mr J Horswell was the judge, delighted that he awarded BOB & Dog CC to Jordie and the lovely Fidelis Duuri, to give him his UK title.  Best bitch winning her second CC was Judi Cross' E Marja, and E Matkamies won his second res CC at Crufts, from the Good Citizen Class, to show that show dogs can have brains and beauty (Marja won OB & GCB classes).   In the dog challenge two dogs were imports from Finland, I bred Matkamies and Tuulin Kauka and all other dogs in dog challenge were out of Elbereth bitches, something to be proud of.

Southern Cos - and Hurrah Marja

Southern Counties is a society which has long supported the breed, and every year the committee invite a Finnish judge for our breed, which means the show is well supported by exhibitors.  Sadly for technical reasons only understood by the Kennel club, it is a show where we only have one CC (for BOB) and one res CC on offer instead of the usual two, one for each sex.  The judge for 2012 was Hannu Talvi, but as I had a new litter I was unable to attend, so Matka headed off with Auntie Sue, and sister Kia, and was handled in the ring by Louise.  I was delighted to receive the text message that Matka was awarded best dog, then how to enjoy a show and not be there, I heard that Elbereth Marja, owned by Judi & David Cross was Best bitch, being handled by Vince Howlett.   In the challenge Marja was awarded BOB and the CC, with Matka taking reserve, a super day, and Marja becoming the 4th Elbereth to win a CC, an even more special day as I understand this was Judi's first ever CC.  

It was a special day too for the Kosla family, especially Julie, who has show trained Teebo (Elbereth Tarmo), and bravely pilots him, her first show dog in the ring, so winning Best Puppy under a Finnish judge was very special.

Elbereth Marja photo by K Greenland