Kulta with his older brother Blaze (Aus Ch Theldaroy Im Not Wild HIT) and one of Blaze's 6 week old sons
© V Brotto

It is starting to become a semi-regular event for myself, Vanessa Brotto of Articmal Kennels and Pam Francis of Magpielane Kennels to gather with our dogs for a "lappie picnic" and today was our Christmas picnic. We had fifteen Finnish Lapphunds there (plus an honorary member of the team, my Keeshond Schatje), ranging in age from four years to six weeks (Articmal's latest litter of seven puppies).

It always a sheer joy to see them all playing happily together, and I'm sure they love it just as much as we do. As an added bonus I got to see and cuddle my little girl Kya who lives at Articmal.

We hope to have our next picnic in March 2006, hopefully with the addition of Emmi, whom I'm sure will lead the boys on a merry-dance. While all but one of the pups will be long into new homes by then, we should still have a gathering of at least ten lappies.

Photos of today's picnic (plus the earlier ones) can be found in the Photo Albums.

Both my boys, Finnish Lapphund Kulta and Keeshond Schatje, were used as test dogs today for an assessment for trainee herding judges (sorry, no photos!). This was their first opportunity to experience herding in test or trial conditions. Both did very well, and I was told that both would have passed their Herding Instinct Test if they had been being assessed. Next year we'll try it for real!

Schatje – BEST IN TRIAL
© L Vaughan

A different pace this weekend, as my Keeshond Schatje went back into the trial ring after a long absence while we moved and got used to living in Melbourne.

On Saturday 12 November, he was entered in the Southern Obedience Dog Training Club trial under judge Mr R Hanson, and was awarded 190 points out of a possible 200.

On Sunday 13 November, he was entered in the Ballarat Dog Obedience Club trial under judge Mrs M Deakes, and again received a score of 190.  In this trial, that gained him a first place in his ring, and then, to our excitement, BEST IN TRIAL.  To top it off, that was the final pass Schatje needed for his Companion Dog Excellent title, and he will now be known as Mijke Zavier CDX!  What a weekend!

Kya learning to be a show dog (aged 7 months)
©  P Francis

I had the pleasure of showing Kya at her first ever showing this weekend.  Kya hasn’t been out and about in during her Baby Puppy time due to her co-owner and “mum” Vanessa having her own baby.

On ever first day of showing, she picked up her first 7 challenge points taking Bitch Challenge under judge Mr S Oates (Ireland) at the Working Dog Club of Victoria Champ Show. 

On the same day at the Working Dog Club of Victoria Open Show under judge Mr P Wood (Vic) she was awarded Best Puppy in Show!

Kulta also shone, being awarded Best of Breed at all three shows of the weekend.

Emmi and litter brother Eppu enjoying the snow
©  J Ollila

Emmi got to experience her first snow of a Finnish winter today!

Unfortunately she won’t be seeing much of this stuff in Australia – but doesn’t she look like she’s enjoying it!

Best Male Puppy of Breed – Emmi’s litter brother Lumiturpa Eemeli
©  J Ollila

Second Placed Veteran Male of Breed – Emmi’s sire Multi Ch Lecibsin Hurmuri Hukka “Eetu”
© J Ollila

Emmi was shown for the first time in Finland this weekend at the Lapphund Club of Finland’s specialty show.

Shown in the 5-7 month old puppy class, with 18 other female puppies in her class, Emmi, although not winning her class, received many favourable comments from both judge and spectators.

Her critique from judge, breed specialist Eija Lehtimäki (loosely translated): Strong conformation puppy with strong (good) head. Very good body, tightly twisted tail. Good position legs. Right coat quality. Good movement and character.

Congratulations to Emmi’s brother Lumiturpa Eemeli who was awarded Best Opposite Sex Puppy, and her breeders Matti & Riitta whose kennel again received the BIS kennel award.

Emmi and Eemeli’s sire Eetu (Multi Ch Lecibsin Hurmuri Hukka) was second placed Veteran Male of Breed, just behind their grandfather Fin Ch Lumiturpa Nörri!

Best of Breed - Aus Ch Theldaroy Im Not Wild HIT “Blaze”
© J&C Pedini

Best of Breed & RUBOB - Aus Ch Theldaroy Im Not Wild HIT "Blaze" & Aus Gr Ch Brambleway Aku "Aku"
© V Brotto

Bitch Challenge - Aus Ch Brambleway Aslakka "Asha"
© V Brotto

Intermediate Dog of Breed - Aus Ch Theldaroy Best Treasure “Kulta”
© J&C Pedini

Junior Dog of Breed – Fjällfarmens Raimo (Imp Swd) “Jaska”
© J&C Pedini

This Sunday saw the breed judging for Finnish Lapphunds at the Royal Melbourne Show.  This is the biggest dog show in Australia, with this year over 4100 dogs entered.  Also known affectionately as the “Lappie Specialty” it is usually the show with the biggest Finnish Lapphund entry, with many interstaters making the trip.  In 2005 there were 15 lappies entered under Norwegian judge Mr R Campbell.

Congratulations goes to Kulta’s older brother Blaze (Aus Ch Theldaroy Im Not Wild HIT) for taking our Best of Breed for the second year running.  Kulta took first place in his class, Intermediate Dog.  And I also had the pleasure of handling the stunning youngster Fjällfarmens Raimo (Imp Swd) “Jaska” to win the Junior Dog class.  Jaska is owned by Pam Francis of Magpielane Kennels.

Very big congratulations also goes to Runner Up Best of Breed Aus Gr Ch Brambleway Aku “Aku” who was Best of Breed at both Canberra & Sydney Royals this year.  His sister Aus Ch Brambleway Aslakka “Asha” was Bitch Challenge, his daughter Aus Ch Miavig Finnish Dream “Casey” was Reserve Bitch Challenge, and his daughter Janoby All About Aura “Aura” was Puppy of Breed!!

A wonderful day was had, and it was a pleasure catching up with everyone again, and seeing some of the young imports for the first time.  It was particularly special in the every exhibitor at least went home having taken out one class.

Hopefully our numbers will be even bigger next year,

Full results for the show were:

DOG CHALLENGE: CH THELDAROY IM NOT WILD HIT (Blaze)
RESERVE DOG CHALLENGE: GRAND CH. BRAMBLEWAY AKU (Aku)

BITCH CHALLENGE: CH BRAMBLEWAY ASLAKKA (Asha)
RESERVE BITCH CHALLENGE: CH MIAVIG FINNISH DREAM (Casey)

BEST OF BREED : CH THELDAROY IM NOT WILD HIT (Blaze)
RUNNER UP BEST OF BREED: GRAND CH BRAMBLEWAY AKU (Aku)
PUPPY OF BREED: JANOBY ALL ABOUT AURA (Roara)

PUPPY DOG
1ST PLACE 1654 Janboy Knls JANOBY ALL ABOUT ASLANN (Aslann)
2ND PLACE 1653 Ms P Francis FJÄLLFARMENS UMMIKO (IMP SWD) (Tarka)

JUNIOR DOG
1ST PLACE 1655 Ms P Francis FJÄLLFARMENS RAIMO (IMP SWD) (Jaska)
2ND PLACE 1656 LC&RC Seare LAPINLUMON MUNDUS (IMP FIN) (Manu)

INTERMEDIATE DOG
1ST PLACE 1658 Ms JL Lincoln CH THELDAROY BEST TREASURE (Kulta)
2ND PLACE 1659 LC&RC Seare CH MIETEBIEKKA URSUS (IMP FIN) (Ursus)

AUSTRALIAN BRED DOG
1ST PLACE 1660 Mrs V Brotto CH THELDAROY IM NOT WILD HIT (Blaze)
2ND PLACE 1661 G&S Burnside GRAND CH. BRAMBLEWAY AKU (Aku)

PUPPY BITCH
1ST PLACE 1662 Janboy Knls JANOBY ALL ABOUT AURA (Roara)

INTERMEDIATE BITCH
1ST PLACE 1657 G&S Burnside CH MIAVIG FINNISH DREAM (Casey)
2ND PLACE 1664 LC&RC Seare FIDELIS GRATIA FINNICA (IMP FIN) (Angel)
3RD PLACE 1660 Mrs V Brotto CH VIKSALAN JIELLA (IMP FIN) (Macey)

AUSTRALIAN BRED BITCH
ABSENT - LC&RC Seare CH THELDAROY JUST THE BEST (Kaisa)

OPEN BITCH
1ST PLACE 1667 LC&RC Seare CH BRAMBLEWAY ASLAKKA (Asha)
2ND PLACE 1666 Janboy Knls CH THELDAROY WILD ABOUT ME (Kiki)