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.

Presently we have two Clumber gilrs Cotton & Bumbaa at home. We are living in Järvenpää ca 35 km from the centre of capital city Helsinki.

Beside some lovely moments in the domestic and international show rings I can be proud of my Clumbers' achievements on the tracking trials. I strongly support Spaniels Hunting Ability Test as a requirement for the CH titles.

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.

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:

• The Clumber Spaniel Club of Sweden

• The Clumber Spaniel Club (UK)

• Clumber Spaniel Club of America CSCA
  

• The Spaniel Club of Finland

• Salapausselän Spanielikerho (Local Spaniel Club)
  

• The Springer Spaniel Club of Finland
  

• Sussex Spaniel Club of America SSCA
  

• The Finnish Kennel Club

• Finnish Dog Breeders Association (SUKOKA)
  
  (The Clumber Spaniel Club of Finland doesn't operate for time being )

Ira with 3 weeks old Flora (Spice Twice Clockwise) in November 2001


Funky & Cotton at home, in
November 2006

Ira and the whole gang on hiking:
Flora (front right), Funky (next to Flora), Rosie (most left), Keanu (behind Ira) & Do (behing Keanu)

from front to back
Chelsea, Funky, Keanu, Rosie and Flora (right)