BACKGROUND
My first dog was English Setter Mistyway
Whisky Tenor (5.3.1984 - 7.10.1994). I was just 13 years
old when I started to show him. He did quite well in the shows every
time there was "show lineage" judge in the ring. As "show lineage"
setter Whisky wasn't used for field trials and he could never finish
his Champion title even he had CACs & CACIBs.
Later I got permission to get a show dog for myself. The requirements
- made by mom - were: small and tidy dog which is easy to get to
show places... As I have always loved Gundogs for their tender and
extrovert temperaments and beautiful looks, it was an easy way to
Spaniels. I met a Clumber Spaniel (Welladays Wild-West) for
the first time in 1985 in dog show and felt right away in love with
this stoic and teddy bear a like Spaniel. Well, Clumbers aren't
exactly small nor are they really tidy either...This requirement
I couldn't care less, I just knew I want to have a Clumber of my
own.
In summer 1986 my first Clumber Spaniel arrived. He was "Kinkku"
SF CH Million-Dollars Bartender (5.5.1986-7.4.1994).
His dam Welladays Wild-Katt actually was the litter sister of Welladays
Wild-West. I was showing "Kinkku" him quite successfully
until all his front teeth strangely sunk into gum. Also, we did
go for few times to tracking trials and had results with good scores.
As Kinkku happened to be quite a man about the town, with great
and lovable personality, I totally felt in love with the breed and
knew this is "my breed".
After Graduating from High School (1991) I decided to leave to
Greece, to Swiss University, to Study Business Communication &
Economics. After graduating in December 1995 I returned back to
Finland. I did do some post-graduate courses in University of Westminster
(London, UK) in fall 1996. And returned permanently back to Finland
in December 1996.
Anyhow, during all my being abroad, I have followed quite carefully
what has happened in Clumbers all over the world. In 1997, I had
opportunity to obtain some Clumber Spaniels I could consider breeding
stock and start breeding the breed I have loved since been youngster.
Greatest thanks go for Ronnie Watt (Nonsuch Clumbers of South Africa)
for allowing me have the dog love of my life Funky
(Nonsuch Spyce Twyce). Funky has played important role in setting
up Spice Twice breeding programme. Also would like to than Tiina
Kankkonen for trusting Chelsea
(Mina's White Chelsea) to me. My ever so knowledgeable mentor in
whelping and puppy care Sirpa Luoto-Nykänen deserve enormous
thanks for all of her help and advices in my breedings.
Basically since 1986 I haven't thought of having any another breed
at home than Clumbers, except the other one :-) sometimes referred
as BLD
[brown little dog]. This type of interest has developed since I
met BLD called Sensation van de Volmolen in Amsterdam
Winner 2000 show in the Netherlands. In 2011 was blessed to adopt
Sussex girl TIANA (Decoventrie Sebastiana o Castle - Australia/USA)
in our lives, but sadly lost her far too early. In Janury 2015 Carly
(Daarbjerg's Klara) was born in Denmark and when she was 8 weeks old
she moved to our home.
Haven't owned any other breeds than
Clumber Spaniels and the two Sussex Spaniels since the year 1986 I
got my first own dog.
PRESENT
Presently we have five Clumber girls Tinka & Grada &
Stilo & Mila &
Pipsa
. We are living in Voolahti (Porvoo) ca 65km East Coast
from the centre of the capital city Helsinki. All our dogs are
living as family pets and have free access all over our house. They
all sleep in our bedroom in their own doggy beds. Our home is
locating in beautiful Porvoo archipelago. We have 1,5 hectate
property which is fully accessible for our dogs. The vast
acrhipelago forest starts from our property.
Our kids are enjoying at least once a day ca 1,5 -2 hrs forest walk
where they excersise without leashes. All of our dogs are getting
breed typical activities (such as: flushing, retrieving, game tracking)
regularly. We are living just 200 meters from the sea, where we
have our own shareshore, so during
the warm months our kids can enjoy swimming and water retrieving.
In winter months we bring the kids to dog spa to swim. During
the summer months we are spending lots of time - weekends and
holidays - on the sea with our yacht. Dogs of course are joining
always the sea life too.
Dogs living in our home are staying
here with us for their whole life. We don't replace older dogs with
the youger ones, nor our dogs change homes for the periods of times.
Our dogs are family and our home is their home.
The Finnish Kennel Club's inspector's report of Spice Twice
kennel facilities can be viewed (in finnish) here.
Rest of my dogs are living in co-owner families and live as house
pets.
Thoroughout the years I have been putting lots of effort in
building Clumber population in Finlnad with genetic variance. I am
the most long time breeder in Finland and see every
Spice Twice Clumber Spaniel littter in Finnish Kennel Club
database . Have imported Clumber Spaniels from
the Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, USA (6 imports) as well
as from the Czech Republic, Russia and Poland. Spice Twice puppies
have been exported to several countries. Most of these exports
have gone for the active Clumber people and breeders.
Beside some lovely moments in the domestic and international show
rings I can be proud of my Clumbers' achievements on the working
trials. I strongly support Spaniels Hunting Ability Test as a requirement
for the CH titles. Spice Twice kids merited
on working trials can be viewed here.
The
Finnish Kennel Club awared Spice Twice breeding programme in 2013
with
Vuolasvirta Prize, which is the highest recognition
from the Kennel Club for meritious breeding.
Sukoka (The
Finnish Dog Breeder Association) awared Spice Twice breeding
programme in 2016
Sukoka's Breeding
Prize for the meritious breeding programme.
I was invited by CSCA (Clumber Spaniel Club of America) to judge
Nationals 2015 Sweeptakes in Pottsboro, Texas. It was great honour and experience.
Enjoyed seeing many lovely specimen.
In 2017 CSCA (Clumber
Spaniel Club of America) called me being one of the 5 breeders in
the panel diiscussion in the International Clumber Symposium in
Wilmington, Ohio.
In 2019 CSCA
(Clumber
Spaniel Club of America) invited me to judge Top 10 Clumbers Gala
shpw, together with all rounder judge and professional handler in
Sandforn, North Carlona.
I have been the treasurer of the Clumber Spaniel Club of Finland
1998-2001. During the years 2001-2003 I was elected as President
of Clumber Spaniel Club Of
Finland. My goal as the head of the Club was to extend the
Clumber knowledge in Finland and allow open flow of information.
Between 1.1.2001-31.12.2003 I have been the board member of Spaniel
Club of Finland.
1.1.2024 -> I am board member of the Finnish Clumber- and Sussex
Spaniel Club.
My aim is to breed, with deference to the adopted breed standard,
physically and mentally sound Clumber Spaniels. Each mating is carefully
planned, and each mating has an important role in my longterm plan
of taking this lovely breed further forward in Finland. All Spice
Twice puppies are raised in a home environment and are exposed to
plenty of human interaction. Each puppy is also introduced to hunting
before they leave here. I believe this protocol will provide a good
foundation for each puppy's further development.
I am the member of (in 2023):
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Funky (Nonsuch Spyce Twyce) & Bunny (Clussexx Ms Coffee Talk) & Tuuba
(Alderforest Bossa Nova) & Ira
in December 2000
Ira with 3 weeks old Flora (Spice Twice Clockwise) in November 2001
Funky & Cotton at home, in
November 2006
Carly & I in pheasant hunting
Spice Twice kids enjoying the archipelago and the sea
Judging in CSCA Nationals 2015 Sweeptakes in Pottsboro Texas
Judging in CSCA Nationals 2015 Sweeptakes Pottsboro Texas
Being one of 5 breeders in the panel discussion in the International
Clumber Symposium in Wilmington, Ohio 2017
In March 2019 I had great honour to judge USA's Top 10 Clumber Gala
with 2 other judges. It was memorable event and those top 10 Clumbers
were beautiful.
Spice Twice kids's sealife
TINKA (Spice Twice Zooropa, 11,5 months old) going European Junior
Winner 2016
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