This year the Keddell Memorial Trophy is 100 years old. We celebrate three Cocker Spaniels from the ‘of Ware’ kennel that each won the award twice in successive shows, a record that has
Contents August 2025
Opinion
04 Kennel Club News
Discover exciting exhibits from The Kennel Club Art Gallery, and the Irish Wolfhound Club celebrates its 140th anniversary
Features
06 Tails, tents and teamwork
Graham and Ann Hill reflect on their time at the Welsh Kennel Club as they take a step back
14 Milestones in history
Anniversaries celebrating the Keddell Memorial Trophy and the ‘of Ware’ kennel are commemorated in a special exhibition
18 Pride of the Black Country
This year, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier celebrates 90 years of recognition
EXCITING NEWS FOR OUR MEMBERS!
20 Do me a little kindness
Bill Moores reports on how diplomacy and thoughtfulness for others can be a kind of magic
Health matters
10 Bloat – a lifethreatening emergency
An owner’s vigilance can be the most important factor in their dog’s survival
Judges’ Choice 22 Finnish Lapphund
Learn about this breed’s history, health and welfare, the activities they enjoy, a breed club’s anniversary celebration and a Finnish Lapphund owner shares their favourite dog walk. Plus ten judges choose their three favourite Finnish Lapphunds they have judged in the show ring
In addition to receiving the physical copy of the Kennel Gazette, readers can also enjoy early access to the digital version. Head over to the Members’ Zone on The Kennel Club’s website (https://bit.ly/3BPXhFt) to read the latest issue before anyone else. We hope you enjoy the convenience of digital reading.
Kennel Club News
The latest developments to help make the most of owning a dog.
A gallery must-see
Salty Dogs, a vibrant showcase of cyanotype images by photographer and artist Nick Gardner, is now open in The Kennel Club Art Gallery.
Nick, a former BBC presenter and broadcast journalist from East Sheen, South West London, loves dogs and they have been the subject of his photography for over a decade, reflecting their role as companions, observers and emotional supporters. This exhibition showcases a selection of various breeds through this unique photographic process.
The exhibition runs until 31 October and the gallery is open Mon-Fri, 9.30am4pm. To book your visit, please email art.gallery@thekennelclub.org.uk or call 020 7518 1064
New additions to the art collection
By Luisa Foster and Marianne Walker, Art Collection Curators
Robert Dix donated these sought-after, rare glass brooches and pins depicting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from the 19th century (artists unknown). Two of the micro mosaic brooches were originally owned by Evelyn Booth who wrote All About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They belonged to Robert’s late wife, and are a beautiful commemoration of someone who loved this Toy breed.
The tie pin depicting a red Cairn Terrier was donated to The Kennel Club in October 2024 by Gwynne Wright in memory of her husband
David, who was a Cairn breeder (Ljekarna), judge and member of The Kennel Club. He gave the tie pin to Gwynne when they got engaged at Crufts in 1991 after meeting through Cairn Terriers. The pin appeared in Hector F Whitehead’s book Cairn Terriers, published in 1959, where it states the miniature painting was made in West Essex. When Gwynne donated the pin, she explained her husband would have been so happy to know it was part of The Kennel Club’s art collection. The pin is still in its original case from Skinner
and Co diamond merchant of London, now Bentley & Skinner; the artist is unknown, but it has been dated to 1864.
For more information about The Kennel Club Art Gallery, visit thekennelclub.org.uk/gallery or follow the gallery’s Instagram at instagram. com/thekennelclubukcollections
To make a reservation at a breed celebration lunch, please email breed.lunches@ thekennelclub.org.uk or call 020 7518 1017
Treat yourself to a Christmas lunch at The Kennel Club
Bookings opened slightly earlier this year for members to book their Christmas lunches. The cost of these popular festive lunches is £65 per person and Christmas lunches run at Clarges Street from Wednesday 26 November to Monday 22 December 2025. The lunch includes a glass of sparkling rosé, white wine or mulled wine on arrival and a five-course festive meal, including coffee and mini mince pies.
Book by calling the Club team on 020 7518 1017 or 020 3540 2740. A non-refundable 50% deposit will be taken at the time of booking and the remainder is payable two weeks prior to the date of the lunch.
Correction
In the June 2025 issue, the image accompanying Hans Erhard Grüttner’s third choice, the Irish Terrier Ch Magic Heroes Coimbra, was miscredited. The correct photo was kindly provided by Petra Platen and Ulrich Neddens. Additionally, the image used to illustrate Kevin Anderson’s first choice, Ch/NL Ch Uomo Mondano von der Emsmühle, was incorrect. See the correct photo on the right. We apologise for these errors and any confusion they may have caused.
Celebrating this gentle giant
Established in 1885 by Captain George Augustus Graham, this year marks the 140th anniversary of the Irish Wolfhound Club. Celebrations started with a championship show in April and a cake made by Lorraine Lees (pictured). A joint championship and open show will be held on Monday 25 August at The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh. Entries close on 4 August. Jeff Horswell is judging the championship show and Mark Ord the open show. It will be a day to catch up with friends and celebrate this milestone in the club’s history. Please come along and join in the celebration. Julie Amoo is baking a special cake for all to share. The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of the Hound breeds and needs our support. Only 165 puppies were registered last year and it is on The Kennel Club’s vulnerable native British and Irish breeds list. Breed clubs work very hard to keep these lesser-known breeds in the public eye. In December the club will run their Irish Wolfhound of the Year competition and money raised will go towards the Irish Wolfhound Club Health and Welfare Fund, Health Group, Rescue Trust and PAWS (Practical Aid For Wolfhounds). For more information on all these events please visit The Irish Wolfhound Club News Page on Facebook.
What were your aspirations when you acquired your first Borzoi? Why the Borzoi? Have you owned other breeds?
Tails, tents and teamwork
For Graham and Ann Hill, a shared vision, shared skills, and a love of dogs has shaped their married life. As they step back from the Welsh Kennel Club, they reflect on a job (jointly) well done.
Graham: I always wanted a dog to show myself, having grown up around my uncle Reg Bassett’s show dogs. I was born in the Vale of Glamorgan into a rural farming background, so there was always a dog in the family. As a child I remember being roped in to help with walking and grooming my uncle’s show dogs. Reg’s interest began with Rough Collies, Pembroke Corgis and Boxers, all of which he showed with some success. However, it was for the Colhugh Borzoi that he became world renowned with over 50 champions, winning in excess of 300 Challenge Certificates, Best in Show all breeds and many Hound groups including Crufts in 1988.
I initially wanted a Boxer, but during a visit to Reg in Brighton, and on his recommendation, I went to see Gladys Harrison of the then-famous Greenhaven Borzoi kennels. She was a lovely lady and I brought home Arlene of Greenhaven (Anna). She wasn’t the best specimen but she gave me a solid start in showing and after winning five firsts at the Vale of Glamorgan Dog Show in 1967, I was hooked.
Reg’s Colhugh kennel influenced several other notable Borzoi kennels, including our own Dimland Borzoi kennel. We were pleased when Dimland Kohoutek moved to Colhugh and was campaigned to his title. Kohoutek also bred on well for the Colhughs, producing many champions and is wellplaced in many of today’s Borzoi pedigrees. Ann: Reg’s kennel was very successful. He was a very clever breeder, not just of dogs. He bred and exhibited rabbits, goats and Persian cats very successfully and also budgies and canaries. We were very fortunate to have had him as a mentor and use his dogs in our breeding plans. He was a great source of knowledge for us to learn, grow and develop. When we had Anna, our
children were still young and money was scarce, so we had to pick and choose our shows – dogs, children and bags all piled into the car on weekends. Over the years, we have owned and enjoyed Cardigan Corgis, a couple of Maltese, a Greyhound, a few hunt terriers (the oldfashioned short-legged type we used to call Jack Russells). Now, we have an elderly 14-year-old Whippet and a five-year-old Whippet, who I have enjoyed taking to obedience classes where he has achieved his Good Citizen Dog Training scheme Gold Award (at our second attempt!).
You have been joint secretaries of Welsh Kennel Club (WKC) for over 20 years, how did it all start?
Graham: We had been involved with the Vale of Glamorgan show after taking over from Mrs Sheppard in 1992. Our last show was in 2003, when we organised both the Vale of Glamorgan show and the WKC Championship Show on successive days in August. Following that year, we handed the Vale over to Peter and Pat Pask.
David Samuel, the then-Secretary of WKC, invited me to join the committee in 1990. It was an honour to work alongside some great dog people including Leslie Thomas, Hubert
Arthur, Desmond Butler, Trevor Evans and George Couzens JP. Looking back at the people who have been instrumental in reigniting and growing the WKC show, they were all very well-respected dog people of the time, they brought enthusiasm, heart and expertise.
Ann: Following David’s passing, his wife Esmé took over as WKC Secretary. At that time everything was handwritten and Esmé spent many a winter evening writing out the AGM notices. I had been assistant secretary for a few years; I would go to Esmé’s home in Swansea once a week to learn the ropes and help with the paperwork. In my first year I remember that we had over 6,000 entry forms to sort; Esmé split them into groups and then into breeds. It was very time consuming and quite labour intensive. When Esmé decided to retire, she asked, with the agreement of the committee, for us to take it on. She had planned a trip to the USA to visit her son before she formally finished, so left us to run the open show early in 2002. That was the start of our WKC joint journey.
How did you split the role between yourselves?
Graham: I took responsibility for agility and got that up and running with the late
Graham Taylor, achieving championship status. David Samuel previously was instrumental in introducing obedience. WKC is the only society running three championship status disciplines at the same event (breed, obedience and agility) – that’s something the WKC committee can be very proud of. I also liaised with The Kennel Club and was heavily involved, together with Gina Simpson (WKC Show Manager), with risk assessments, traffic management, health and safety requirements and contracting judges. Ann: We were both involved in pretty much every aspect of the show. I managed most of the admin tasks, we would often overlap as the paperwork increased, which seemed to happen year on year with regular changes to Kennel Club regulations and judging criteria producing more documents to be checked – luckily, I like to write a lists! We shared the responsibilities going down separate avenues and often meeting back in the middle, I guess it’s about blending skills with the essential addition of humour along the way.
You must have seen a lot of changes over the years – what are the challenges of running a major championship show now, compared with when you first took over? Graham: Balancing finances with making a
viable show is so important. Everything has changed – entry numbers used to be higher and costs lower, now it’s the reverse. There’s so much expenditure. In the early days the cost of the venue itself wasn’t an issue, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society was not such a commercial concern. WKC paid a notional rent for the venue. The society is now a more commercial, profit-driven society, no longer managed by the local farmers – they had very different priorities.
Above: Graham with Ch Colhugh Oriole of Dimland and Ch Dimland Petya (mother and son). Petya won Reserve Best in Show in 1978 at Birmingham National under Leonard Pagliero OBE FCIS.
Left: Reg Bassett pictured with a group of Colhugh champions.
Below: Ann with Ch Dimland Isadora, Hound group winner at Richmond in 2002 judged by Syd Pollock. Pictured at Bournemouth in 2001 taking group 3.
Photos courtesy of Graham and Ann Hill
“It’s been about community, enjoyment and doing something we believed in”
Ann: It was sometimes hard for exhibitors to appreciate how much it costs to put on a show. When we decided to discontinue benching, exhibitors thought the entry fees would be reduced. They seemed to not understand that removing benching was an effort to reduce costs. It is much appreciated when people say ‘thank you’ as they are leaving. It’s never just been about the dogs. It’s been about community, enjoyment and doing something we believed in.
You’ve both been an integral part of the Crufts commentary team for many years, what have been some of your highlights?
Graham: I originally joined the Crufts Committee in the 1990s, firstly in the press office then, in 2003, becoming a main ring commentator, with Ann as my able assistant. It was a privilege to meet members of the visiting Royal Family; they have such an interest in the breeds and the show. I have commentated at several championship shows, including the Eukanuba Stakes Finals. Ann: It was an honour to be part of the
Crufts commentary team. Every year a highlight is meeting up and chatting with the Crufts Best in Show winner at the post-show get together. It’s as tense and exciting for us in the commentary box, as it is for the handlers standing in the ring and everyone sat around the arena.
Initially Graham commentated on all the groups, but later other commentators were added to share the load. The commentary team has become what it is today, a very able, successful and well-organised team.
What are your plans for the future?
Graham: As well as judging, I enjoy stewarding and mentoring. I’m also very much involved with the Borzoi Club and Breed Appreciation Days. I’m looking forward to spending a bit more time on my boat. Looking back, I can’t think of what else we would have done with our lives. We’ve been so involved since we won our very first Challenge Certificate at Blackpool in 1976, under Terry Thorn, with Colhugh Oriole of Dimland, who went on to gain her title and
to win Hound groups at Windsor, SWKA and Leicester, in the same year.
Ann: We have family in Australia and have always had to choose travel dates carefully because of show deadlines. Being a secretary is 24/7 and 365 days of the year involvement. We both like the theatre and cinema, so hopefully there will be more time to go to London for a show. We’ve had our share of rainy shows and chewed paperwork with laughs along the way – an essential ingredient.
Thank you both for sharing your thoughts and recollections, and we wish you well for the future.
Far left: It’s traditional to launch the WKC schedule at Bath Championship Show.
Photo by OUR DOGS
Left: WKC Chairman Richard Stafford presenting Graham and Ann with a gift to mark their retirement from the role of joint secretary after over 20 years’ service.
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Bloat – a lifethreatening emergency
An owner’s vigilance can be the most important factor in their dog’s survival.
BY DR J A SAMANTHA GOLDBERG MRCVS
Del Richards’s article on bloat (July 2025) gave a valuable insight for owners into the latest research, as presented by Professor Mark Dunning in last November’s Kennel Club health webinar. My experience in veterinary practice reinforces the sentiment that vigilance by owners is the singular most important factor in a dog (hopefully) surviving the condition.
There are few phrases that spike adrenaline in a vet more than, “My dog has swollen up and is now collapsing”, especially when the breed is one of those that can suffer from a hugely enlarged stomach. Bloat is the massive distension of the stomach (gastric dilation or GD), the first part of the digestive system after the oesophagus, and typically occurs in deeper chested breeds with more abdominal space. It has been recorded in smaller breeds too but is less common. If the stomach then twists, the condition becomes even more serious and is known as gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV). Without surgery the patient will die and even with surgery, many do not make it due to complications.
A recent young Standard Poodle came into my practice and went very quickly from the unwell dog the owners rang about in the morning (they were told to come straight in, as it sounded potentially serious) to the collapsed dog when they arrived, which had an abdomen that was rapidly enlarging. The owners reported that the dog was retching a little the night before, which they initially thought to be kennel cough. By the morning the dog seemed worse, so they rang for advice.
The dog was admitted immediately, placed on fluids and the stomach decompressed using a large bore catheter through the abdominal wall. We were unable to pass a stomach tube, so the dog was taken to surgery. His stomach was fully twisted (volvulus) – this was corrected and then the wall assessed for colour. Areas of dark red were observed but not black, which would imply a total loss of blood supply and carries a grave prognosis.
The dog was given a gastropexy, where the stomach is sutured to the inside of the abdominal wall to prevent volvulus occurring again, then woken up after lavaging
the abdomen with warm saline. One big area of concern, when the stomach is untwisted, is the release of toxic metabolites from the static blood supply, which can cause damage to organs and the heart. Unfortunately, this dog never fully recovered from the anaesthesia and was euthanased to prevent further suffering. He was a fit healthy dog, and the owners said there had been no known difference in his lifestyle to cause the bloat.
Treatment
Bloat is a true emergency and the treating vet will be doing two things very rapidly. Treatment urgently requires intravenous fluids to treat for shock – this is to counteract any toxin release from the compromised stomach and associated viscera such as the spleen, and to maintain blood pressure. Secondly, decompression of the stomach to reduce the ongoing damage from distension. Generally, an intravenous catheter will be placed by the nursing staff while the vet attends to the stomach. Fluids are generally a balanced electrolyte solution of Hartmann’s or saline given at a shock rate. Often reducing gas quickly involves inserting a needle into the stomach through the skin to rapidly reduce pressure. If possible, the dog will be given a mild sedative and a stomach tube passed down the oesophagus to reduce the stomach contents.
This can be carried out if there is no volvulus, and once emptied, the stomach lavaged with warm saline to wash it out. If a stomach tube cannot be passed down then it is very likely there is a twist and the dog will need to go immediately to surgery.
I once treated a German Shepherd Dog with bloat (GD) but not a torsion (GDV). The dog had eaten a very large quantity of couch grass, which blocked the pyloric sphincter in a great big grass ball. Emptying the stomach filled the operating theatre with a strong smell, like a cow had been belching, as the grass had started fermenting!
Surgical outcome will depend on how much the stomach and other organs have been affected by the problem and how long it has been present. Once the abdomen is opened, the vet will need to untwist the stomach and assess the stomach wall for damaged areas that have been compromised. These will show a dark appearance. If there is too much damage, it may be fairer not to wake the patient up. If the stomach looks OK then a gastropexy will be performed to attach the stomach to the inside of the abdominal wall and to lessen the chance of it twisting again. Sometimes the spleen is also damaged, as the blood vessels supplying it will have been compressed. In this case, the spleen will need removing.
SIGNS OF BLOAT
• Dry-heaving (also called retching) without vomiting any food. Sometimes a dog might spit out white foam when trying to vomit, which is usually mucus from the oesophagus or stomach
• Abdominal swelling (this might not be visible in the early stages of bloat)
• Sudden anxiety, pacing, an inability to get comfortable or constantly moving around the room/ house
• Positioning the body in a downward-facing pose, where the dog’s back half is up, and upper half is down
• Panting and drooling
Unfortunately, this is an expensive surgical condition with no guarantee of success. Statistically, dogs who present for surgery between 3am and 9am are three-anda-half times more likely to not survive as those who are treated between 9am and 9pm. Dogs whose surgeries last longer than three hours are two-and-a-half times more likely to not survive than those who are operated on in under three hours – although this is probably due to added complications such as having to remove the spleen or part of the stomach as well as re-positioning the stomach. Post-operatively, the patient will be monitored very closely for signs of shock and may need intensive care for a few days before being discharged. For dogs who do not need surgery, care with feeding wet food for a while and careful monitoring is essential. Many dogs suffer gastric distension more than once and even if surgery is not required as the stomach has not twisted, considering a gastropexy is wise for the longer term.
Genetics are not fully understood, but since the individual can bloat more than once, breeding from a bitch that has had bloat is probably not recommended. I have seen dogs such as Great Danes that bloat during whelping and this can be devastating. Owners who have dogs that bloat often question themselves, but since the causes are not fully understood they should not blame themselves but rather see if there is any way they might prevent it happening again.
References:
The Kennel Club’s health webinar on bloat, and others are available to watch at bit.ly/3GcTrVy
BSAVA Manual of Small Animal Diagnostic Imaging at akcchf.org/canine-health/top-health-concerns/bloat/ understanding-bloat.html
• Collapse
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• Pale gums
There is also a Facebook group called Canine bloat awareness set up by Gill Arney and Derek Hamilton, after their Dobermann, Beau, survived gastric torsion in 2008.
DR J A SAMANTHA GOLDBERG
BS c
A general practitioner veterinary surgeon with a particular interest in pedigree dogs and genetic disease, Samantha is a breeder, exhibitor and judge of Beagles and won Breed Health Co-ordinator of the Year as part of the International Canine Health Awards in 2021. She is often asked to do online international discussions on Beagle hereditary diseases.
BVS c MRCVS
(HONS)
Trust your gut
BY MAX JONES
I am pleased to report that I do not have a vast experience of bloat. However, I am in a position to recount a couple of cases with very different outcomes.
The first involved my, then, nine-year old Briard, Barney. He was born in 1974, so this happened in 1983. On this particular day, I had fed our dogs their normal feed of tripe and biscuits but, unusually, Barney decided that he wanted someone else’s food as well as his own. The dispute that followed was very much a case of handbags at dawn but did involve a fair bit of puffing and panting as Barney tried to protect his newly acquired dish from its original owner.
Later, in the evening, I felt that he was a bit subdued, but I had no reason to think that it was any more than a reaction to the contretemps, as well as knowing that I was not best pleased with him.
Something, however, told me to keep an eye on him and I stayed up to do so.
The first tangible signs that all was not well was when he pushed his head against the wall and retched. He sounded as if he was trying to be sick. I immediately phoned my vet and arranged to meet him at the surgery. This was at around 1am.
By the time I drove there – it took about 20 minutes – Gordon was already there and I took my boy straight in. By this stage, however, Barney appeared to be right as rain. Luckily, the vet knew that I was not in the habit of phoning him in the middle of the night simply for a chat, so we sat and put the world to rights with Barney contentedly sitting at my feet.
By this time, I was feeling a bit of a fraud but, after about 25 minutes, Gordon could see that Barney was looking uncomfortable. Long story short, Gordon put a tube down Barney’s throat and found that it met resistance. From this he concluded that the stomach had started to rotate and, within minutes, he sedated my boy and had him on the operating table.
I don’t remember exactly how long, but in a couple of hours or so we were heading home. Barney eventually passed away nearly five years later just one month short of his 15th birthday.
My second experience was far less positive. I spotted the same signs in six-year-old Polly, and immediately phoned the vet to say I was on my way. This was during surgery hours and I was quickly seen by a locum who didn’t know me. Like Barney, Polly wasn’t showing major signs at that stage and he said he would keep her in to observe her. He wouldn’t allow me to stay and, by the time he could see what I had observed, it was too late to save her.
Two similar scenarios with quite different outcomes. With both dogs the signs were there and speed (unfortunately for Polly, the lack of) literally proved to be a case of life and death. I know my dogs. It haunts me to this day that the vet in Polly’s case thought he knew best, so my advice is to be persistent, use the phrase ‘suspected bloat’ and don’t take no for an answer.
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Milestones in history
Anniversaries celebrating the Keddell Memorial Trophy and the ‘of Ware’ kennel are commemorated in a special exhibition.
BY MARIANNE WALKER, ART COLLECTION CURATOR AT THE KENNEL CLUB ART GALLERY
This year, the Keddell Memorial Trophy celebrates its 100th anniversary. The history of Cruft’s Dog Show and the trophy will always be irrevocably entwined with that of the ‘of Ware’ kennel, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Three different Cocker Spaniels from this important kennel went Best in Show at Cruft’s, each winning the award twice in successive shows. This achievement remains unparallelled to this day. To mark this milestone in history a special exhibition of these renowned of Ware dogs is on display in the gallery, along with the trophy itself.
The illustrious of Ware kennel was founded in Ware, Hertfordshire in 1875 by Richard Lloyd, now considered to be one of the founding fathers of the Cocker Spaniel breed in the UK. Richard showed and judged Cocker Spaniels and carefully influenced the
breeding of dogs in his kennel incorporating descendants of Ch Obo amongst others. Jennifer Lloyd Carey mentions that this particular dog was “a pillar of the breed” in her book Cocker Spaniels: An Owner’s Companion.
An early instance of the family’s long association with Cruft’s comes from 1905, when Richard Lloyd judged Cocker Spaniels at the show, accompanied by his son H S Lloyd as ring steward. Richard awarded the Challenge Certificate to Ch Jetsam Bowdler, owned by Mr Peele who had purchased her after seeing her running in field trials.
Richard Lloyd’s son, Herbert Summers Lloyd MBE, is perhaps the most famous of the owners of the of Ware kennel. H S Lloyd, or ‘Bert’ to his friends, obtained his first Cocker Spaniel ‘The Gentlewoman’ from his father and he took over the kennel following
his father’s death in 1906. Patiently building on his inherited knowledge, H S Lloyd achieved lasting acclaim with three of its most famous dogs: Sh Ch Luckystar of Ware, Cruft’s Best in Show winner in 1930 and 1931, Sh Ch Exquisite Model of Ware, Cruft’s Best in Show in 1938 and 1939 and Sh Ch Tracey Witch of Ware, Cruft’s Best in Show in 1948 and 1950. In the words of Paula Carey, granddaughter of H S Lloyd, “This was in fact four wins in succession, there being no show during the war or in 1949.” Readers may also be interested to know that each of these dogs was descended from Sh Ch Southernwood Critic, twice Best Exhibit at The Kennel Club’s own show. H S Lloyd was a noted show and field trial judge and a regular correspondent for Our Dogs as well as being the author of two books: The Popular Cocker Spaniel, first published in 1924; and Cocker Spaniels published in 1957. His career with dogs extended beyond these fields, as during the First World War he trained messenger dogs while serving in France, and in the Second
World War he was appointed as a technical officer to the War Office training dogs in mine detection, even giving his home over to the War Dogs Training School for a time. His services to the nation were recognised when he was awarded an MBE for this work.
The legacy of the of Ware kennel has been carried forward into the 21st century by his daughter Jennifer Lloyd Carey, and granddaughter Paula Carey, who owns the kennel today. Paula said of her mother that she was “born into the world of dogs and dog showing” and grew up surrounded by Cocker Spaniels as well as other breeds and an assortment of other animals.
Jennifer first visited Cruft’s in 1948 at the age of 11. This was the first Cruft’s Dog Show to be held following the Second World War and it was in fact the first Cruft’s to be held by The Kennel Club. Charles Cruft passed away in 1938 and his widow, Emma, sold the brand to The Kennel Club in 1942, when Kennel Club Chairman, Arthur Croxton Smith OBE, made the purchase on behalf of the Club. It is at this point that The Kennel Club acquired a number of trophies awarded at Cruft’s, and importantly, the Keddell Memorial Trophy, which is on permanent display in The Kennel Club Art Gallery. There is a wonderful photograph in the current exhibition Show Prizes: Going for guns, gold, silver and spoons! of Emma Cruft with the Keddell Memorial Trophy, Sh Ch Tracey Witch of Ware, the Best in Show winner in 1948 and H S Lloyd. It is on display together with two important
paintings of Sh Ch Luckystar of Ware and his granddaughter Sh Ch Tracey Witch of Ware. No doubt Emma was invited back to present the trophy in this significant year, uniting the heritage of Charles Cruft and The Kennel Club. Although Jennifer doesn’t appear in the photograph she was present and remembered hanging on to the coat-tails of her father so as not to be separated from him in the busy crowds. It is thought that Jennifer had one of the longest careers as a competitor at Cruft’s, beginning in 1950 when she showed her first Cocker Spaniel, continuing for 67 years overall and almost 70 years from her first attendance.
After leaving school, Jennifer went to work for Wilson Stephens, the editor of The Field, and following her father’s death in 1963, she inherited the of Ware kennel and continued in the family tradition of breeding and showing Cocker Spaniels. Similarly to her father, Jennifer was also a successful show judge, awarding Challenge Certificates to Cocker Spaniels from 1964, then later to Irish Water Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels and Field Spaniels. She was a breed correspondent for Our Dogs, and her book Cocker Spaniels: An Owner’s Companion was the culmination of her own knowledge and that of her family’s extensive expertise of the breed. Jennifer became a member of the Ladies’ Branch of The Kennel Club in 1958 and a full member in 1979 when The Kennel Club first extended membership to include women. She later became an Honorary Life Member.
Paula Carey continues her family’s legacy to this day as the current owner of the of Ware kennel, and is a championship show judge herself, having awarded Challenge Certificates at the National Gundog Association Championship Show in 2024. Earlier this year, Paula showed Uxendel Wood Warbler of Ware at Crufts, continuing the of Ware legacy that began with Richard in 1875. Paula writes, “There have been over 300 of Ware champions, show champions and field trial champions, with more than 3,000 Challenge Certificates won by of Wares and their progeny”, a testament to the people and dogs of this renowned kennel.
By Luisa Foster, Art Collection Curator at The Kennel Club Art Gallery
The Keddell Memorial Trophy is one of the most famous trophies in the dog showing world and this year it celebrates its 100th birthday. It was made by Martin Hall & Co of Sheffield in 1925.
While it’s perhaps more often known as the Crufts Best in Show Trophy, this prestigious award holds a deeper history. Its official name pays tribute to Robert W Keddell, who served as Cruft’s Show Manager from 1894 until 1924. A trusted employee to Charles Cruft himself, Keddell was widely respected in the dog show world and also managed the Ladies’ Kennel Association Open Show and several others. After his sudden death in January 1924, the dog show community sought to honour his contributions. This led to the creation of the Keddell Memorial Trophy Fund, which, by October that same year, had raised an impressive £73 19s (over £3,800 in today’s money!).
Ladies’ Kennel Association notes published in The Tatler, October 1924
The trophy made its debut at Cruft’s in 1925, though not as a Best in Show award. It was originally offered to the best German Shepherd Dog and that honour went to F N Pickett’s Ch Caro of Welham. Throughout the late 1920s and early 1930s, it continued its journey as a rotating breed trophy, across various breeds. The last time it was given as a breed-specific award came in 1937, when it was presented to Joe Braddon’s Irish Setter, Ch Wendover Biddy. A new era for the Keddell began in 1938 when the trophy was, for the first time, awarded for Best in Show. That historic win went to H S Lloyd’s Sh Ch Exquisite Model of Ware, who claimed the title again in 1939. Charles Cruft passed away in September 1938, and the 1939
show was organised by his widow Emma, who carried on his work. However, with the outbreak of the Second World War and the challenges it brought to running dog shows combined with the loss of her husband, Emma Cruft made the decision to sell Cruft’s, including all its property and trophies, to The Kennel Club in 1942.
It wasn’t until 1948 that The Kennel Club held its first Cruft’s Dog Show where the Keddell Memorial Trophy was awarded to Best in Show. There was an exception to this, from 1969 to 1972, when another trophy was offered: the Daytona Beach Trophy. During those years, the Keddell was awarded to the Reserve Best of Terrier Group. In 1973, the Keddell returned to its role as the official Best in Show award, just in time for The Kennel Club’s centenary, and it has remained in that position ever since.
In recent years, The Kennel Club made a surprising discovery; the Keddell Memorial Trophy has a twin! A director of the National Brass Band Championships reached out to The Kennel Club after noticing striking similarities between their own trophy, the National Challenge Trophy, and the Keddell. This twin trophy has been awarded to the winner of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall since 1945. While we are still looking into its origins, its resemblance to the Keddell is unmistakable.
This year, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier celebrates 90 years of recognition.
BY KARON JACKSON, SECRETARY OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER CLUB
It began on 2 April 1935, when The Kennel Club General Committee decided that Staffordshire Bull Terriers be recognised as a breed. They were included under Any Other Variety at show events between 1935-1938, and from that year onwards they had their own breed listing with Challenge Certificates – the first being at Birmingham National Show in the Midlands.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, known in the Stafford world as the ‘Parent Club’, is also celebrating its 90th anniversary, as it is the first breed club to be accepted and registered with The Kennel Club. Joe Dunn, from Cradley Heath, submitted a request on 16 July 1935 to The Kennel Club General Committee meeting. It was to register the club as ‘The Original Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club’, but this was declined. However, the committee accepted and granted the title of ‘The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club’, and thus the club was born. The club held its first championship show with Challenge Certificates on 24 August 1946 at the Drill Hall Coventry. The judges on that special day were Mr D Potter of
Netherton, judging dogs, and Mr F Holden of Cradley Heath, judging bitches. The biggest dog class was open dog with 22 entries and the biggest bitch class was open bitch with 23 entries. Staffordshire Bull Terriers have never looked back and found their place in the show world.
As well as a Breed Appreciation/Nostalgia Day, date to be confirmed, with many guest specialist breed speakers and a display of memorabilia, the club is holding three special anniversary shows throughout the year. The first was an open show on Sunday 20 July followed by a second open show on Sunday 24 August 2025. There will be special celebratory rosettes, prize cards, gifts and prizes galore. Free catalogues will be available to all members in attendance and entered at the shows.
A special championship show will be held
on Sunday 9 November, which is also Remembrance Sunday, with a catalogue featuring a commemorative cover. A parade of champions marking the club and breed’s 90th year will take place in the lunch break; each champion will be presented with a special 90th-year keepsake from our Life Vice President, Vera Westwood. Vera has been a member of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club for over 55 years. Her father Bill Beasley was a committee member for many years before that. He was often seen with Fred Holden in the Old Cross Guns pub, where the first meeting was held to form the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club, chatting over a beer about recent shows and dogs. They would often be joined by Joe Mallen, and Jack Dunn – true stalwarts of the breed, who were a great influence on the club’s beginnings and the breed.
For more information about these events, please visit The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club Facebook page.
Cruft’s 1939 with judge Mr H Pegg (standing). From left to right: Messrs F Roberts with Coronation Scot, H Melling with Tough Guy, H N Beilby with Mrs Beare’s Ch Midnight Gift, Joe Dunn with Ch Lady Eve and Joe Mallen with Ch Gentleman Jim.
Joe Mallen (left) in the Old Cross Guns pub. Photos courtesy of The Staffordshire Bull Terrier by John F Gordon FZS
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Do me a little kindness…!
Diplomacy and thoughtfulness for others can be a kind of magic.
BY BILL MOORES
I am a great magazine lover and cannot resist noticing trends in content across all genres. In one substantial rack, ‘kindness’ was the trending word.
Whether it was slimming – ‘kind’ ways of acknowledging better diet options; outdoor activities – being ‘kind’ to your feet and ‘kinder’ ways to prompt young people into leaping from the sofa to climb the odd mountain or two; or a country magazine which acknowledged that its readership was not known for its diplomacy and often was ‘direct, but in a kind way’!
A government diplomat once told me that diplomacy was the art of telling your worst enemy to go to hell so well that they looked forward to the journey. But let’s not get too involved with that, we are trying to be ‘kind’. Not long ago, kindness visited me in a strange way in one of the most bizarre of conversations. There I was, sitting at my computer in the result’s office at a general championship show, when a lady asked me a burning question: “Did you use to be Bill Moores?”
I told the lady that not only did I used to be him but that I also retained the identity and that my passport confirmed this. “I thought it was you. Do you remember finding a teddy bear at Crufts and putting his photo in the paper you edited?”
A ‘kind’ gesture had come back to haunt me in a pleasant way. The child who had lost the teddy some 25 years earlier was now a mother herself and reminded me of the small gift her own mother posted to me and asked if I still had it. I confirmed that I had it safe and sound and that, like so many things
from the past, it was part of a memory box. “Thank you for being so kind”, was her parting comment.
Social issues, too, give content providers great fodder when it comes to kindness. We all know that love knows no bounds and a true story that impressed me recently was that of a lady who regularly visited her ex-husband during an extended terminal illness. The visits meant an eight-hour round trip, which she managed to incorporate into
a busy career and care of an elderly parent. She justified it by saying, “…the past is the past and you have to be kind.”
Any judge’s critique worth its salt has to be objective without being brutal and destructive, and here once again ‘kindness’ comes into play. Perhaps a little diplomacy is the order of the day and emphasising the positives without dwelling on the negatives is a kind way to encourage newcomers to this all-consuming hobby!
Remembering Jennie
When we stand in the show ring we never know with whom we rub shoulders. With this in mind, spare a thought for the friends and family of Jennie Logan, one of two firefighters who died in May. Jennie, 30, was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier exhibitor, dog lover and first responder in the town of Bicester, where a huge fire engulfed a former RAF base hangar. Described as a kind, larger-than-life character, she had a dog-walking business and also actively contributed to the rescue of her chosen breed. She sacrificed her life to help others and paid the ultimate price.
For centuries the Sámi of Northern Finland used dogs of this type to guard and herd reindeer. In 1945 the Finnish Kennel Club recognised the breed as the Lappish Herder but in 1993 the breed gained its present title. They are now popular through their native country as companion dogs.
Finnish Lapphund
The ancient reindeer herder and guard of the Sámi people.
Bitch Challenge Certificate (CC) record holder Ch Elbereth Pelinainen JW, ‘Peli’, winner of 21 CCs, six with Best of Breed and six Reserve CCs. Peli won her first three CCs with Best of Breed at consecutive shows, the first at Ladies’ Kennel Association in 2015 under Lynne Salt, the second at Crufts in 2016 under Elina Haapaniemi and her title at the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB Championship Show a month later under Espen Engh, where she went Best in Show. The following year, and at the same show, Peli went Best in Show again under Elaine Short – the only Finnish Lapphund to win this award back-to-back. She was also Best Opposite Sex at Crufts in 2018. Bred from Ch/Multi Ch Elbereth Matkamies ShCM (the first breed CC record holder) ex Shacal Reilu Peli (Imp Fin). Peli was top puppy in breed in 2014, top bitch in 2016 and took the bitch record in 2017. Her last CC was won in 2022 at National Working & Pastoral Breeds Society at eight years old under Brunetta Greenland. She is the dam of two litters. Bred by Toni Jackson and co-owned by Angela and Barry Thomas.
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch information on The Kennel Club website related to this breed for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However, if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as unacceptable, it must not be rewarded in the show ring.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Strongly built dog, smaller than medium size. Body slightly longer than height at withers. Coat long and profuse.
CHARACTERISTICS
Tendency to herd.
TEMPERAMENT
Intelligent, brave, calm, faithful.
Suitable as companion and watchdog.
HEAD AND SKULL
Strong featured, comparatively broad, bitches more refined, forehead slightly rounded; stop clearly defined. Muzzle shorter than skull, straight and slightly tapering when viewed from both above and side. Nose and eye rims as dark as compatible with coat colour.
EYES
Oval shaped, dark brown or harmonising with coat colour. Expression soft and friendly.
EARS
Erect or semi-erect. Medium size, set well apart, broad at base and very mobile.
MOUTH
Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Lips tight.
NECK
Medium long, strong, covered with thick hair.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulder and upper arm of approximately equal length. Shoulder moderately laid back and forming a rather open angle with upper arm. Legs well boned, strong, straight and parallel. Elbow placed slightly lower than the lower edge of brisket. Pasterns of medium length,
Breed and dog CC record holder Ch Arianrhod Black Sun Aeon at Muzoku ShCEx, ‘Manu’, winner of 40 CCs, 31 with Best of Breed and 12 Reserve CCs. Manu’s first show was in 2021 in yearling, missing his puppy career due to Covid-19. At his fifth show he received his first Reserve CC at Paignton under Patsy Hollings. He won his first CC out of limit dog at the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB Championship Show in April 2022 under Finnish specialist Marja Talvitie, gaining his Champion title the following month at Bath under Gary Gray. Since then, he has been a consistent achiever and won an additional 37 CCs to date. Manu has enjoyed 13 group placings with the highest being group 1 at Ladies’ Kennel Association in December 2024 under John Ritchie and has been the Our Dogs top Finnish Lapphund for the last three years. Manu has been shown at Crufts four times, where he has won two Reserve CCs and two CCs. Crufts 2025 was the pinnacle of his career as he gained Best of Breed under breed specialist Shelia Carlton. He has been appreciated by all-rounders and breed specialists alike, from the UK and overseas. Manu has a super temperament, which he has passed on to his progeny.
Bred by Talvikki Lloyd, co-owned by Edward and Tate Forsey.
Firm. Back strong, straight and broad. Moderate spring of rib. Brisket deep and long almost reaching the level of the elbow. Depth of body slightly less than half the height at withers. Forechest clearly defined, of moderate width. Loin short and muscular. Slight tuck up. Croup medium length, well defined and slightly sloping. The body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock, slightly longer than height at withers.
HINDQUARTERS
Strong boned, powerful, straight and parallel when viewed from
Medium length, high set, covered with profuse, long hair. Carried curved over the back or side when the dog is moving. May hang when the dog is at rest. Tip of tail may have a ‘J’ formed hook.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
Effortless, brisk, agile and straight. Medium length of stride, changing easily from trot to gallop.
COAT
Profuse. Outer coat long, coarse and straight. Shorter on the head and front of legs. Undercoat soft and dense. Males should have a more abundant mane.
COLOUR
All colours allowed except merle, which is unacceptable. Main colour must dominate. Markings differing from the main colour are permitted on head, neck, chest, legs, tail and underside of body.
SIZE
Ideal height at withers, dogs 49 cms (19¼ ins); bitches 44 cms (17½ ins), with an allowance of 3 cms (1¼ ins) either way. Type is more important than size.
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
NOTE
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
The Finnish line
Its origins as a hard worker in Arctic conditions have ensured a breed that’s content with very little.
There are few cultures where the lives of man and dog are so tied together as they have been in the harsh conditions of Lapland. There, dogs have made it possible for man to earn his living by herding reindeer and at the same time the dogs got food for themselves. The Sámi (Laplanders) have an old proverb: “Give the first bite to the dog and it will work harder than you”.
The Arctic Spitz of Lapland was for thousands of years like the types seen today, as confirmed by archaeological findings. From 1959 to 1961 a survey revealed that two types of dog were found herding reindeer. One was a nearly square long-haired galloper – Finnish Lapphund. The other was longer than its height, had a shorter coat, was bigger than the Lapphund and moved at a trot –Lapponian Herder. The domestic herding dog has been called a Lapp Herd dog, Lapp Spitz dog, and a Lapp Hound. Since 1993, the breed has been called a Finnish Lapphund (Suomenlapinkoira), originating from the long-haired dogs used to herd reindeer. Nowadays, a lot of attention is paid to the proportions and strength of the skeletal
BY HEATHER HEAD
structure of the body and head, to the Arctic suitability of the coat and its colour. Although the Second World War destroyed a large part of Lapland and its dogs, a good number were saved. The Finnish clubs continue to strive to maintain the Finnish Lapphund to the type shown in the old breed standards. When Finnish breeders wanted to introduce new blood, they would travel north to select new stock from the working packs. The breed standard was confirmed in 1975 and subsequently revised in 1982 and 1987. It had a final tweak to meet FCI requirements in 1998.
In 1989, Sue and Roger Dunger (Sulyka) imported the very first Finnish Lapphund into the UK, Lecibsin Loru of Sulyka (Imp Fin). In 1991 it was arranged for Fin Ch Lecibsin Hissukka (bred by the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB’s President, Jukka Kuusisto) to come here in whelp and give birth to a litter of five in quarantine. Hissukka returned to Finland and her puppies were allowed out of quarantine. From this litter came Sulyka Lecibsin Nilla, later mated to Lecibsin Loru of Sulyka (Imp Fin), who produced the first
litter conceived in the UK. Along with another imported dog, Staalon Runne of Sulyka (Imp Fin). These dogs became the foundation stock in the UK.
In 1992, Nilla and Loru produced eight puppies including Sulyka Mischa at Elbereth, Sulyka Lindu of Carlacot and Sulyka Mella of Millermead, who began to be seen in the show ring. Before Challenge Certificates (CCs) were awarded to Finnish Lapphunds, we were showing our dogs on the Imported Breed Register.
Far left: Finnish Lapphunds come in a variety of colours, including, from left to right: black, wolf sable, brown, cream and brown sable. Courtesy of Dorothy White
The Muzzelle’s Fin/Nordic Ch Chelville Tapio, was the first Nordic Champion in 2001. He features in several pedigrees, such as Ch Oberitz Onnetar (Crufts Best of Breed winner in 2009), Ch/Ir Ch Millermead Nordic Breeze ShCM, Int/Ir Ch Millermead Quartz Crystal JW ShCM, Ch Millermead Quintessence To Glenchess and Millermead Dove of Peace To Marymead, the latter producing the first Pastoral group winner at an all-breeds championship show, Ch Marymead Muskateer ShCM VW. There were many other influential dogs whose lineage has contributed to the beautiful dogs we have today, including Ch/Int/Fin Ch Glenchess Revontuli, born in 2003 (sire of Millermead Dove of Peace To Marymead), and who was a World Winner.
From Finland, Int/Fin Ch Lecibsin Hapmi (Imp Fin) produced some grand dogs for Toni Jackson’s Elbereth kennel in Ch Elbereth Marja, Elbereth Mikko ShCM, Elbereth Suvi at Cochochr ShCM, Elbereth Norppa, Elbereth Kyky and Elbereth Apina at Pavoskas ShCM to name a few. Fin Ch Lumiturpa Nörri sired the first two Best of Breed winners at Crufts in Elbereth Nalle at Hildrek (2003) and Elbereth Tuukka of Tabanyaruu (2004). These two litter brothers were also the first litter of any breed to be born through the pet passport scheme. Toni Jackson imported quite a few bitches to improve diversity in the UK gene pool.
The breed was granted championship status in 2011, and the first UK dog Champion was Ch/Multi Ch Elbereth Matkamies ShCM.
The bitch Champion was his litter sister Ch/Multi Ch Elbereth Kia Joins Bridus ShCM, owned by Sue Bird, both bred by Toni Jackson. Matkamies won three CCs in 2011, the only dog to gain his title that year and the first breed CC record holder, which he held from 2011 to 2022, winner of 22 CCs. He also won the Reserve CAC at the World Dog Show 2014 in Helsinki from an entry of over 500 dogs, and gained his Finnish title plus others in many countries. He has many winning offspring, including the current bitch CC record holder Ch Elbereth Pelinainen JW and Ch Tilkkuturkin Hallantuoma To Elbereth ShCM JW VW (Imp Fin).
Chelville, Elaine Short’s Glenchess and Millermead lines, led to the successful second breed CC record holder Ch Glenchess Gregory, winner of 28 CCs and following on, his son, the present breed CC record holder Ch Arianrhod Black Sun Aeon at Muzoku ShCEx, winner of 40 CCs.
It is said that the Finnish Lapphund is one of the most perfect products of nature and a part of the Finnish tradition to be cherished.
The heavy work in austere conditions made this breed healthy, modest ‘farm hands’ and content with very little. The dogs do everything they can for their masters and their dinners. Therefore, the contentment and smile of the Lapphund is obvious when they are allowed to act in relation to the orders of their masters.
According to the Suomen Kennelliitto (Finnish Kennel Club) registrations, the breed is one of the most favoured in Finland and in Europe. The popularity of the Lapphund is based on its health, character, conformation and variety of coat colours, a significant attraction of the breed in addition to the good looks and endearing temperament. For a family keen on outdoor life and exercise, this dog is an excellent all year-round companion.
Above left: Ch/Multi Ch Elbereth Matkamies ShCM, at Richmond 2011, the day he won his title with Toni Jackson.
Left: Ch Millermead Quintessence To Glenchess, whose dam was Ch/Ir Ch Millermead Nordic Breeze ShCM. She is also the dam of the second breed record holder Ch Glenchess Gregory and grandmother of the current breed and dog Challenge Certificate record holder
We asked a number of breed-specialist and all-rounder judges to pick their three favourite Finnish Lapphunds from those they have judged in the show ring.
ELAINE SHORT GLENCHESS
Having owned Lapphunds since 1996, I feel the breed has regressed – there are few knowledgeable breeders and a serious lack of quality pervades. I have judged a Finnish specialty show, a club event in Australia, exhibited in Finland and imported Finnish dogs. I have chosen outstanding dogs and a bitch that have the required appearance and strength we should all aspire to breed.
1 CH/MULTI CH FIDELIS DUURI
I judged him at Crufts in 2011, where I awarded the breed’s first set of CCs and he was my CC and BOB winner. A super balanced and totally natural dog, who exudes breed type. Classic head with rounded foreface and lovely soft expression. Correctly balanced in outline, just off square, and an effortless mover. The first overseas dog to gain a UK title, winning his crowning CC with BOB at Crufts in 2013.
1 INT/MULTI CH UKKONEN AV VINTERVIDDA
Bred and owned by Christian Lauluten, he came to Crufts in 2020 and 2022 and won the dog CC and BOB. I judged him at Crufts in 2022 at ten years old. Beautifully balanced dog in glorious coat. Lovely soft expression, accurate light-footed movement, in excellent condition. He has been part of a sledding team in Norway.
2 MULTI CH SHACAL ROSMARIINI
I judged her at the National Dog Show in Helsinki in 2014, where she was BOB. A strong bitch of super bone, yet feminine. She had a thick double coat, correct proportion in outline, with medium neck, and high-set tail, moderate angulation. She powered around the ring with a lovely clean action. Her head is very feminine in expression. Dark oval eye, correct stop, broad skull, completed by well-developed underjaw.
2 CH PAVOSKAS DISCO JW OSW
A beautiful example of the breed. Bred by Sammy Critchlow. Perfectly balanced with good substance and eye-catching wolf sable coat with profuse tail. Head feminine with melting expression. Strong mover with medium stride and light of foot. Her balance is spot on. She has substance with no coarseness. Presented in wonderful condition with all the necessary angulation.
3 AM GR CH/MULTI CH LAPINKAUNIS I WANT IT ALL
My BOB at the US specialty in 2022. Well-boned dog, moderately angulated with high tail set and easy mover. Just off square, firm back, and strong rump. Broad skull and muzzle of correct length, his oval eye and small ears give a lovely expression. His owners had avoided trimming his feet knowing I would appreciate the correct natural look – after all, the standard asks for oval, not cat-like feet.
3 MULTI CH PEIKKOVUOREN VAHCA
I awarded him Best Dog at the Finnish Lapphund Club Show in Lahti, Finland in 2015. He went BOB. The show included three Nordic breeds and he was BIS under Rune Fagerström. Eye-catching wolf sable coat of weatherproof type. Strong masculine head, with soft expression, he was in hard condition and moved so soundly. Everything in harmony.
On the cover of Dog World I saw a photo of Lecibsin Rissasaggi and was hooked. My Sulyka Mischa at Elbereth and her younger full brother, Sulyka Valio Is Curdeleon, made a mark for the breed in the Imported Breed Register classes. With the support of Finnish breeders, I bred the UK’s first two champions, Ch/Multi Ch Elbereth Matkamies ShCM and Ch/Multi Ch Elbereth Kia Joins Bridus ShCM, and have bred eight champions.
I have owned and exhibited Finnish Lapphunds for 33 years and bred and judged them for 22 years. I have bred or owned champions in the UK, Ireland, Luxemburg, including two international champions, Int/Ir Ch Millermead Quartz Crystal JW ShCM and Int/Ir/Lux Ch Carlacot Duuska To Millermead, as well as many dogs gaining CCs, Junior Warrants, ShCMs and CACIBs. I judged the breed at Crufts in 2009. I was Secretary of the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB for many years.
1 FIN/NORDIC CH CHELVILLE TAPIO
I judged this tricolour Lapphund at the Nordic Open Show in 2002 where I gave him BOB. Jukka was taken to Finland by the late Clive Muzzelle and won his titles before CCs were awarded in the UK. He was used sensibly as a sire in the UK. Always sound, he stood straight and true and moved alertly and effortlessly. Of medium size and moderate in angles and conformation. His pedigree is behind many champions.
2 CH/INT/FIN CH GLENCHESS REVONTULI
Rev, a wolf-sable, was welltravelled and an excellent example
of the breed. Top dog in the UK for many years. Winner of CACIBs in Poland (World Show) Switzerland, Denmark and Finland. I was proud to award him his crowning UK CC at ten years old at SKC in 2014. Great mover all his life, lovely typey head with melting expression. Correct strong topline, good bone and excellent body with moderate angulation.
3 CH MARYMEAD MUSKATEER ShCM VW
I gave this brown the CC at Bath in 2017. He was the first of the breed to win a Pastoral group and won five group placings as a veteran. Clean and vibrant head piece, well boned and sound. Always showing a confident attitude, moved with a steady and easy gait. Otso has not been used at stud very often, but I include him here for his correctness of conformation and his breed attitude in the show ring. A great ambassador.
In 2009, Finnish Lapphunds joined the Bridus kennel. Our first, Ch/Multi Ch Elbereth Kia Joins Bridus ShCM, became the first UK bitch Champion when the breed gained championship status in 2011, also earning titles in seven other countries. She was later joined by Finnish import Lumiturpa Mamman Mamo, who produced three champions in our first Bridus litter. I awarded my first CCs in the breed in 2017 and feel privileged to be invited to judge Finnish Lapphunds at Crufts in 2027.
1 ELBERETH MIKKO ShCM
I judged this dog at Evesham & District Canine Society, awarding him the group before the breed had championship status. He had a strong, masculine head with a typical breed expression, excellent outline, and effortless movement. He won over 26 Best Dog awards, including one CC with Best in Show at the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB’s first Championship Show under Rainer Vuorinen, plus three RCCs. He deserved to be a Champion but was born too early.
2 CH/SWED/FIN/NOR CH SHACAL TILTALTTI (IMP FIN)
I had the pleasure of judging this dog at East of England in 2017,
shortly after his arrival in the UK. He had a superb head, a happy expression, and was an excellent example of true breed type. His outstanding construction and effortless, balanced movement really stood out – he simply melted my heart. I was delighted to award him his first CC in the UK, along with BOB that day. It was no surprise to see him go on to gain his Champion title so quickly thereafter.
I judged this bitch as a puppy at East of England in 2017 and found her beautifully balanced, feminine, with correct body shape and lovely movement. I awarded her the RCC. Two years later at NWPBS, she returned as a mature adult and impressed me again, earning the bitch CC and BOB. Now, as a veteran, she still holds that same presence and quality that made her stand out from the very beginning.
I have shown, bred and judged Great Danes to CC level since 1983. I downsized to Finnish Lapphunds in 1995. Jean Pritchard and I went to Finland and met many breeders. As members of the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB committee, we helped the breed move from the Imported Breed Register to championship status. I am a breed assessor and mentor. Ch Pajeant Aubenedict ShCM, a red sable, our highest winner, was awarded BOB twice at Crufts. I judged the breed at Crufts in 2019.
1 CH MARYMEAD MUSKATEER
ShCM VW
I judged this dog at Bath in 2016 where he won the RCC. By Crufts in 2019, he had matured into an excellent example of the breed. He pulled out all the stops and wouldn’t be denied the dog CC and BOB from veteran. His harsh coat is profuse, with a good ruff around his medium-length neck. His eye and nose pigment harmonises with his light brown sable coat. Everything in correct proportion with good strong bone.
2 CH MILLERMEAD QUINTESSENCE TO GLENCHESS
I judged this bitch at the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB in 2014,
where I awarded her the bitch CC and BIS. A lovely wolf sable of correct size and harsh coat quality. She covered the ground with true strides seen from all angles; she carried her tail over her back at all times. Feminine head of correct proportions with ears far apart, broad at base with rounded tip. Eyes were dark and oval in shape.
3 CH MARYMEAD MOULIN ROUGE FOR PAVOSKAS JW
ShCM
I judged this bitch at the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB in 2014 awarding her the RCC. By Bath in 2016 she had matured well and won the bitch CC and BOB and was shortlisted to the last eight in the group. She moved with enthusiasm, despite the heat and her profuse harsh brown coat. Lovely head, eyes harmonising with coat colour. Correct rectangular body size and good upper arm length moving briskly.
I met the Finnish Lapphund at the World Dog Show in Helsinki in 1998 and it was an instant favourite. This is an unaltered-shape dog, strongly built and dressed to suit its surroundings in Arctic Lapland. I love their cheerful, matter-of-fact disposition, their work ethic, and their colours. My foundation bitch, Glenchess Nightwish For Arianrhod, produced two UK champions, Ch Arianrhod Black Sun Aeon at Muzoku ShCEx and Ch Arianrhod Hallatar, and Ir Ch Arianrhod Finntroll JW.
1 CH MARYMEAD MOULIN ROUGE FOR PAVOSKAS JW ShCM
I judged this bitch at Driffield in 2016 and awarded her the CC and BOB. A beautiful mature bitch in full bloom. Sweet expression, eyes, ears and head shape all contributing. Neck flows into a well-laid shoulder. Elbows well underneath her, legs straight with good bone. Level back, good tail set and rear angles, strongly built but feminine. Moved easily to show her correct stride.
2 CH PAJEANT AUBENEDICT ShCM
I judged this dog at Three Counties in 2012 without CCs and was BOB.
won
Dog under me in 2009, 2010 and 2014. A well-boned, strong dog of slightly smaller type, and a beautiful golden cream colour. Good to see the less common colours shown. Broad skull, neat ears, lovely dark eyes, he was well proportioned and a sound mover. I am very pleased that he won his Champion title.
3 CH GLENCHESS ILOLAS
I judged this dog at Driffield in 2016 and awarded him the dog CC. A strong handsome dog, masculine, good outline and balance. Lovely head and expression, dark eyes, good stop, broad skull. Well off for body and bone, excellent front angles, short loin, good bend of stifle. Good mover. These three dogs show off the colours in the breed. I feel we are now lacking the spread of quality from many kennels we had 10-15 years ago.
I was brought up among Finnish Spitz and Norwegian Elkhound, and started breeding German Spitz (Klein) in 1997. My wife and I have produced over 100 international champions. I’m a recent breeder/judge for the Finnish Lapphund as I entered the breed only 15 years ago. My first Lappie (Peikkovuoren Mary Lou) obtained titles in several countries. To me a perfect example of the breed is Fihtolas Äkäspanda, which I haven’t had the pleasure to judge but based on photos I wouldn’t change a thing.
1 AUST GR CH ORICAL KIRSI OF JOVE
I judged this bitch at a specialty in Australia in 2019 and gave her Best in Show. Balanced and built very soundly. Perfect bone. Excellent expression and length of leg as well as the coat quality, suitable for working with reindeer in the harsh conditions of Lapland. Very well built all over. Her movement was really smooth, healthy and energy efficient. She was a real eye-catcher.
I judged this
in 2017 and she was etched in my memory. Only a junior, but beautiful and full of quality. Exquisite expression, lovely proportions and conformation. Just perfect depth of ribcage and proper length of legs. Fluid movement with excellent length of stride. Lovely, impressive bitch with great breed type.
3 MULTI CH KJELSTRUP’S ASKI
I judged this dog at a specialty show in Norway in 2014 and, although young, he made an incredible impression on me. Very balanced with excellent length of legs. Built with appropriate strongness. Moved with long, ground-covering strides. Excellent coat quality. Beautiful expression and strong head. I was delighted to meet him again as a veteran and I must say he had aged like a fine wine.
Every breed needs typey, healthy, long living studs and such dogs are worth their weight in gold.
I fell in love with the Finnish Lapphund after seeing one of Elaine Short’s (Glenchess) dogs at National Working & Pastoral Breeds Society. We bought our first from Niki Allison’s Oberitz kennel 15 years ago. My mother, Brunette, and I have imported dogs from Finland and Sweden and bred the bitch CC winner (Rajarani Winter Rose) at the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB in 2022. I had the great honour of judging the FLC of GB Championship Show in 2020. I’ve been fortunate to judge some truly outstanding dogs.
1 CH GLENCHESS ILOLAS
My Best in Show at the Southern Finnish Lapphund Society Open Show in 2016. A world class Lapphund, upstanding with a gorgeous masculine head and perfect expression. A nice size for a male, with good bone. Oozed quality in type and exceptionally well-constructed, which is where so many fail today. His coat was importantly of the correct texture and he was outstanding on the move. A superb show dog and epitome of breed quality.
My Best Bitch and Reserve Best in Show at the same show in 2016.
Frankly, she was quite beautiful. Feminine, but with strength and such a typical head with super expressive eyes and ears of correct size and set. Superb construction and proportions with wonderful coat texture. An effortless, precise mover. Another world class Lapphund. One I always have in my mind as a blueprint for the standard when I judge the breed.
CH
My bitch CC winner at Border Union in 2018. A slightly smaller bitch of super type. Attractive, feminine head with strength and good bone throughout. Lovely proportions and very wellconstructed, which is essential in this active reindeer herder. Well balanced and another with great coat texture. Wonderful outline and foot perfect on the move, displaying the correct reach and drive, which is so hard to find these days. A standout bitch.
The Finnish Lapphund is one of our native Spitz breeds and has a particularly interesting historical background. I have judged the breed since 2003 and had the pleasure of judging Finnish Lapphunds extensively in my own country as well as in Scandinavia and in several European countries. I have awarded CCs in the UK on three occasions, including Crufts in 2016 and the Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain in 2024.
1 MULTI CH PEIKKOVUOREN CASSIOPEIA
I judged this black/cream dog several times and have seen him mature into a fine specimen. He is very masculine and has a lovely soft shape to him. He has an outstanding head with very correct and well-carried semierect ears. His coat texture also has the desired harshness to it. His movement is a joy to watch. I last judged him in Sweden in 2024 when he was BOB and his daughter Best Opposite Sex.
2 MULTI CH PEIKKOVUOREN VAHCA
I judged this wolf sable dog several times. He was my BIS winner
at the Finnish Working Breeds Championship Show in 2015. I have purposely chosen a head study of Vahca to demonstrate a most wonderful and correct male head. Please note the well-padded muzzle, an important detail. Lovely eye and expression and neat ears. Both Cassiopeia and Vahca have been used as prime examples of the breed at various seminars in Finland.
3 CH ELBERETH UNISIEPPARI JW
I judged this young black/cream bitch at the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB Championship Show in 2024 and was very taken with her true breed type and correct soft outline. Feminine from top to toe and an excellent specimen of the breed. I was delighted to award this promising young bitch the Challenge Certificate. She was also my Best in Show winner. She won her title at 13 months.
I have judged Finnish Lapphunds quite extensively over the years and have encountered many top-quality specimens in Scandinavia, England, US and Canada. For this reason, it is very difficult to pick just three. Rather than naming dogs that the readers will have no knowledge of, and reflecting on the general high quality of the breed in the UK, I decided on three dogs that I have judged in the UK over the years.
1 INT/MULTI CH UKKONEN AV VINTERVIDDA
My dog CC and BOB winner at Crufts in 2020. A stunning black and tan dog, typey and masculine. Very typical in head with excellent proportions, correct width, length and depth of skull, well-filled muzzle, correctly shaped eyes. Strong neck. Moderate, balanced angulation both ends. Excellent topline and quality waterproof coat with a rich, dense undercoat and correctly presented. Well-set and carried tail.
2
Awarded her the bitch CC and BIS at the Finnish Lapphund Club of
Great Britain in 2016. A light wolf sable bitch with just everything to look for in the breed. Ideal type, excellent proportions, balance and outline, combining substance with femininity. Typical head and expression, excellent stop and ideal length of muzzle compared to skull. Balanced angulation both ends. Excellent topline.
3 CH/INT/FIN CH GLENCHESS REVONTULI
I had the privilege of judging this outstanding orange wolf sable dog even before the breed qualified for CCs and judged him again at the age of 10.5 years at Birmingham National in 2014, where he won his second dog CC and BOB, the weekend after he won his UK title. He was such a beautifully proportioned, constructed and balanced dog, athletic, smart and typey and always in sync with his breeder/owner Elaine Short.
Breed clubs take the welfare of their breeds very seriously and work tirelessly to provide help, support and homes for dogs in need. The two Finnish Lapphund breed clubs offer a range of events including shows, judges training days and educational seminars, plus advice on the breed to people looking for a puppy or rehoming an older dog. They are very proactive and can also offer owners advice and help with training, socialising, breeding and health testing for their Finnish Lapphund(s). There is a well-established link between the breed and The Kennel Club on matters of health and wellbeing. Please contact a club secretary for more information.
01/08/2025 Paignton & District Fanciers' Association Darren Clarke Both
09/08/2025 Bournemouth Canine Association Maureen Betts Both
14/08/2025 Welsh Kennel Club Espen Engh Both
22/08/2025 Driffield Championship Dog Show 1 Elaine Short Both
22/08/2025 Driffield Championship Dog Show 2 Cath Moffat Both
28/08/2025 City of Birmingham Canine Association Patsy Hollings Both
05/09/2025 Richmond Dog Show Society Brunetta Greenland Both
12/09/2025 Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd Allyson King Both
09/10/2025 South Wales Kennel Association Sheree Dickson Both
08/11/2025 Working & Pastoral Breeds Association of Scotland Stephen Hall Both
11/12/2025 Ladies’ Kennel Association Sally Duffin Both
15/01/2026 Manchester Dog Show Society Gary Clarke Both
05/03/2026Crufts Ernest Paterson Both
11/04/2026 Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain Mats Jonsson Both
07/05/2026 Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd Jussi Liimatainen Both
14/05/2026 Scottish Kennel Club Irene Buchanan Green Both
13/06/2026 Border Union Agricultural Society Bridgette Bodle Both
21/08/2026 Welsh Kennel Club Adrian Bicknell Both
29/08/2026 Driffield Championship Dog Show Talvikki Lloyd Both
Approved list of judges as of 11 July 2025. Appointments may change due to unforeseen circumstances.
For further details on upcoming shows please see: thekennelclub.org.uk/fas
NEXT MONTH SALUKI
If you would like to advertise in the September edition of the Kennel Gazette, please contact Gary Turner on 07702 881109 or email gary.turner@newhallpublishing.com
AWARDS TO WORK TOWARDS
The Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain runs a versatility awards scheme. These perpetual awards are presented to dogs who excel in a wide range of skills and activities.
Points are gained from dogs who have
passed obedience tests through to The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training scheme, character assessments carried out by a behaviourist at the club’s championship show, agility, rally, working trials, heelwork to music, mantrailing
A SELECTION OF FINNISH LAPPHUND ARTEFACTS
Suomen Kennelliitto (Finnish Kennel Club) commemorative plate, produced as part of a set depicting this Finnish native breed, limited to 1,000 copies and produced in 1992 by Arabia. While the identity of the dog is unknown, it thought to be based on Multi Ch Lecibsin Hissukka.
Toni Jackson’s Sulyka Mischa at Elbereth was presented with a plate when she won Best Imported Register at the National Working Breeds Society in 1993 under Zena Thorn-Andrews.
One was also presented to Muzzelle’s Fin/Nordic Ch Chelville Tapio in 2020 at a show in Finland. Permission by the Fiskars Group Ltd. Immaterial rights the Finnish Kennel Club
Pastel by Laura Gambino of Patrick and Dorothy White’s three Finnish Lapphunds, completed in 2015. Pictured from left to right: Terhakan Unnu Leenu at Glenchess (Imp Fin), wolf sable, Glenchess Keikari, brown, and Glenchess Tuhlara, black. Before beginning work on the portrait, Laura met the dogs and got to know their characters. She took a large selection of photos, then produced several sketches for Patrick and Dorothy to choose the preferred pose. Once all was decided Laura proceeded to the commissioned portrait.
among others and of course showing. To read more about the scheme and to see if your dog qualifies for an award, please see the points matrix on the Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain’s website before completing the versatility claim form.
A statue of a Finnish Lapphund stands in the yard of the Fell Lapland Nature Centre in Hetta, Enontekiö by artist Pekka Ketonen (1928-2009) unveiled in 2007. It is one of five Finnish dog breeds he produced that were placed in different parts of Finland. They are: Finnish Spitz, 1989 in Espoo; Finnish Hound, 1993 in Janakkala; Karelian Bear Dog, 1996 in Ilomantsi and Lapponian Herder, 2003 in Inari. We are grateful to Eeva Anttinen, Chairman of the Finnish Kennel Foundation Board at the Finnish Canine Museum for sending us this photo. Pekka was a Finnish forester and Executive Director from 1967 to 1988 of the Suomen Kennelliitto (Finnish Kennel Club) before he retired. His hobby was painting and he made reliefs for the Finnish Kennel Club and dog enthusiasts.
BY CATHY PROCTOR, SECRETARY OF THE FINNISH LAPPHUND CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN
On Saturday 12 April 2025, the Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain held its 16th championship show, sponsored by Essential Foods, at The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh. It was a special event, as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the club.
The committee worked hard to ensure the event was one to remember and provided each exhibitor with a goody bag that included a water bottle with the club logo on it, a club pen and a voucher for complimentary tea, coffee and cake. Our anniversary cakes were decorated with the Finnish Lapphund Club of GB logo and were well received. Around the ring were a selection of stallholders, who sold a variety of breed crafts and dog toys, which were popular with visitors.
We welcomed 80 dogs making 115 entries judged by Tim Ball (Kaitak). His Best in Show and bitch Challenge Certificate winner was Karen Anderson and Sarah Nardone’s Ch Limishka Kareitar JW. Reserve Best in Show went to Edward and Tate Forsey’s Ch Arianrhod Black Sun Aeon at Muzoku ShCEx. Tim said: “A thoroughly enjoyable day was spent officiating at the Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain’s Championship Show held during the club’s 30th anniversary year and my grateful thanks to the officers and committee for considering me worthy of such an appointment.
“There is depth of quality in the breed and you have some very good breeders amongst your ranks; I do hope their talent will rub off onto others to safeguard true Lapphund type for years to come. Some general observations: the standard calls for a strongly built dog which is smaller than medium size – this does not mean small and to be strongly built, the breed needs to be well-boned. Also, we are
looking for a soft expression, and round eyes do not lend themselves to this, and neither do light eyes. Movement always adds another dimension into the mix when judging and is not always easy to maintain within a breeding programme – on the whole I thought the breed was in a pretty good place in this area and there were some outstandingly wellconstructed Lapphunds in today’s entry.”
We would also like to extend our thanks to Dawn Cochrane, who judged the special award classes, and Julie Aspinall, who carried out character assessments throughout the day. All 20 slots were booked early and Julie was impressed by the Finnish Lapphund’s super nature. Eighteen dogs were graded excellent (two of which received a pass last year), and two received a pass grade. We always reassure owners not to feel discouraged on receiving a pass, as it is still a good grade and provides guidance as to where to make improvements before taking the next one. All tests were carried out in a relaxed environment and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Overall, it was a lovely day and an opportunity for friends to catch up and make plans for the future. We would like to thank everyone for supporting our club throughout its 30 years and we look forward to the 40th celebration in 2035!
Top: Tim Ball cutting the cake with Sue Bird, Vice Chairman of the Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain.
Above: Tim Ball with his Best in Show winner Ch Limishka Kareitar JW, co-owned by Karen Anderson (pictured) and Sarah Nardone.
The importance of health testing and screening for a stronger future.
BY TONI JACKSON, FINNISH LAPPHUND BREED HEALTH CO-ORDINATOR
The Finnish Lapphund is a generally healthy breed, with average life expectancy of 12-14 years, and many live to greater than 15 years of age. On a day-to-day basis, the breed’s robust constitution means trips to the vets are quite rare and many owners anecdotally say their dogs can (and do) eat anything, with little to no effect.
As a breed, we are fortunate that the majority of breeders do follow the breed clubs’ Code of Ethics in respect of health testing, and parents are normally screened for prcd-PRA, cataracts, hip scored, and tested for Pompe disease (glycogen storage disease II). Additionally, most litters are eye screened before leaving the breeder to check for any congenital conditions, though they are extremely rare in the breed.
Health testing in Finland is mandated through collaboration between the breed club and the Finnish Kennel Club, which means the breed is in a good position and the main
conditions are reported and published. This continues to benefit the UK breeders who choose to import new dog lines.
Like most breeds, there are other health conditions that are seen and, sadly, at present do not have health screening tests. These include hypothyroidism, epilepsy, Addison’s, glaucoma plus a range of other less common autoimmune diseases. While it is unlikely, and certainly unproven, that the incidence of these conditions is any higher in Finnish Lapphunds compared to other similar breeds, the fact that we are a close-knit and transparent community, means that many affected dogs are reported. In the UK we try to encourage this transparency and publish information when notified on the health website at finnishlapphundhealth.co.uk
The Lapphund Dog Club of Finland (Lappalaiskoirat Ry) has an amazing database (terveys.lappalaiskoiragalleria.org) of health results, predominantly from dogs born/ living in Finland, but the information does
extend to dogs outside Finland, where owners have shared health results with the Finnish breeding committee. The database is only available in Finnish at the moment. In autumn 2024, the breeding committee of the Lappalaiskoirat Ry decided to publish the estimated disease risk figures for Finnish Lapphunds, as well as their age-specific averages for the following: epilepsy, hypothyroidism, allergies and Addison’s disease. In addition, the theoretical autoimmune disease-risk figure is published, which includes hypothyroidism, allergies and Addison’s disease.
The scores are displayed in the dog’s profile above the pedigree, and the average value per age group (1-4 years, 4-8 years, 8-12 years) is also shown for each disease. For dogs over 12 years of age, the average for the breed as a whole is shown, which is why the score usually drops when the dog reaches 12 years of age. This average is calculated from the breed’s entire population over time and dogs in their early decades have virtually no disease data. A dog’s disease-risk scores are calculated from the database on the fly, so every time you open a dog’s profile you have the most up-to-date scores available.
This is a very powerful tool and the calculations behind it have been proven to reduce epilepsy in Finnish Spitz in Finland.
Useful links
• Finnish Lapphund Club of GB Code of Ethics – finnishlapphund-club.co.uk/ aboutflcgb/membership
• Southern Finnish Lapphund Society Code of Ethics – southernfinnishlapphundsociety. co.uk/the-society/rule-code-of-ethics
• Breeding against epilepsy in Finnish Spitz via tinyurl.com/finspitzepilepsystrategy
While rehoming requests for this breed are rare, we must never be complacent.
BY DOROTHY WHITE, FINNISH LAPPHUND CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN RESCUE CO-ORDINATOR
Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain Rescue is available to anyone who finds themselves needing to rehome their dog for whatever reason. This is in fact a rare occurence, as once you have owned the breed, it’s hard to stop at one. Having been introduced into this country in 1989, with a promise to the Finnish people to take care of future breeding and look after the breed, welfare funds were put in place very early when the club was founded in 1995. Fortunately, most of our breeders are very responsible and offer a lifelong commitment to any puppies bred by them. That, plus a member’s contract of sale that includes a ‘must be returned to breeder’ policy has meant we are currently in a very enviable position in that we have not had a genuine ‘rescue’ since 2018. In that instance, we were initially given three weeks’ notice to find the dog a home, but this suddenly changed to “tomorrow or he goes to the RSPCA”. This case was extra special, as Kaino was diabetic and on daily insulin. He was also very overweight, so an understanding and competent home was called for. We had one, but miles away in Newcastle. We drove from Derbyshire to Manchester, collected Kaino and drove on to Newcastle to deliver him to his new, already vetted home. Our new owner
was a pharmacist, so very competent with injections. We were updated with Kaino’s progress and he went on to live a very happy life.
Unfortunately, we’ve had occasions when we have driven miles to carry out a breed rescue, only to be greeted by an Alaskan
Malamute or Siberian Husky!
We have a waiting list of homes available, and if we are contacted by a breeder who has a problem with a dog that needs to be rehomed, we can usually help out immediately. Members are quick to find any mention of Finnish Lapphunds on social media, or popular selling sites, and report to us. We have recently dealt with two such cases, and both have successfully been rehomed through breed rescue. When we receive an offer of a home, we ask for a resume of the applicant’s home circumstances and family, hours of absence from home, experience of breed, vet details, and any specific preferences. If we do not have a nearby member to inspect the home, we will undertake it ourselves.
Our funding has grown over the years from public donations to fantastic raffles supported by attendees at club shows. In recent years we have made donations to Finnish Lapphund clubs in the USA and Europe to help with ‘hoarding’ situations that have overwhelmed the clubs involved.
While we appreciate we are in a very fortunate position, as a small but very attractive breed, we must never be complacent.
Four breed enthusiasts share their stories of owning such a super all-round breed.
Lapphunds love rally!
By Rachel Bradley
I met Eeva’s (Blairswolf Tulikki of Ruddyduck WW12 RL5) breeder at an obedience training group. Then I discovered rally – all my dogs enjoyed it, and even though Eeva and I didn’t qualify at our first Kennel Club rally competition, we learnt from the experience and qualified Excellent with third place at our next three shows, earning our first rally title. Eeva progressed through the classes, ultimately retiring at the anniversary show held to mark a decade since rally was first licensed by The Kennel Club, having earned her Level 5 title as well as two qualifiers at Level 6. She was the only top level Lapphund in rally for many years, but I am pleased that Scarlett Sisley-Smith’s Onni (TabanyaRuu Qtamo Onni RL5) and Eevi (TabanyaRuu Wihta KuuLapsi RL5-Ex) have joined her. To date, they are the only three Lapphunds to go Level 6.
Eeva led the way for Finnish Lapphunds in rally, she competed at the first Kennel Club rally show in 2013, was a regular member of the Crufts Dog Activities rally display team and, today, at 16 years old, she is still filming bits for The Kennel Club’s Rally Working Party video project (youtube.com/@ rallyresources) – free educational resources for people interested in learning more about rally.
She is my first Finnish Lapphund and my first non-Gundog breed. Lapphunds were bred to herd reindeer, requiring them to be independent thinkers. Luckily Lapphund intelligence suits positive reinforcement training methods such as clicker training, and Eeva especially enjoyed learning through a method known as shaping, as she loves to work things out for herself. However, she, like many of her breed, is also very literal –once something is embedded, that is what you get. I have had to retrain a number of things to a different command over the years.
Lapphunds enjoy having a purpose, although their independent nature means that they work with you rather than for you. The most common questions posed by a Lapphund is “Why?” and
“What is in it for me?”. If you can work out the answer to the second question you will both go far. Eeva is extremely food motivated, so it was an easy decision to use treats in my training. She also enjoyed play rewards but preferred chasing a tug-toy to an all-out game of tuggy. I do know of some ball-motivated Lapphunds, including some competing in flyball, but Eeva always viewed tennis balls as something to steal from my Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers rather than as a prize in themselves. The variety within a rally round suits Lapphunds – during Covid, the Southern Finnish
Lapphund Society sponsored a Rally Challenge Award for their members, some of whom have gone on to compete. It has the advantage of complementing other disciplines – for example, Eeva has enjoyed success in the breed ring (she was World Winner bitch in 2012), has her Expert Trick Dog title and many dog parkour titles. Eeva has been both a delight to live with and such fun to train and compete with. I would encourage all Lapphund owners to harness the brains and working ability of the breed and get out there and enjoy themselves.
My first Finnish Lapphund, Blizz, (Lapperix Blizz (Imp Swe)) was 11 months old when he arrived, and very chilled out. At the time I was a novice owner and just trained him domestically, but it planted a seed and I craved a second.
In 2007, a bitch puppy called Unikko (Elbereth Unikko at Lappviken) arrived. She was the first dog I trained at a competitive level. She was a gift and would do anything I asked. Through a friend we attended a local working trials club, and as Unikko was a dog who would do anything for food, we managed to take part in some trials and did well. Although she gave it her all, the scale and long jump were too much, but she excelled at tracking and article finding.
Now, I mainly focus on obedience and Lina (Lappviken Lina Beg Ex), Unikko’s daughter, got me from Pre-Beginner to Novice in one season. Lina was softer and didn’t have Unikko’s confidence, but she taught me so much. She needed building up. She eventually stopped enjoying competing but did get placed in Novice a couple of times before we called it a day. Initially, I believed training Lapphunds would be the same as Border Collies and German Shepherd Dogs, normally seen at working trial clubs. This is absolutely not so! Lapphunds are an exceptionally bright breed, but also fiercely independent. Despite being a Pastoral breed, they cannot be compared to different breeds in
the group. In Finland and Europe, they are in a group of Spitz and primitive breeds. Lapphund owners often think they cannot do many activities because of the breed’s stubborn streak, but they just need good motivation. Some activities are more self-rewarding, such as agility, hoopers, or possibly scentwork, but with obedience some exercises are fun, such as running for a retrieve, recall or sendaways, while heelwork in particular needs to be ‘sold’ as fun.
It’s about learning how to shape exercises so your Lapphund thinks it’s their idea. For example, I will train a puppy for heelwork in a static and standing position by my left side, initially luring with food (breakfast and dinner is recommended to train puppies) then move on to simply walking off with my hand by my side. If my puppy chooses to join me on my left side, we have a reward party. This builds up to running, trying to get away from them, and each time they join me we celebrate! This is such a valuable exercise, as it builds up a great relationship.
Lapphunds will have some lines that are busier and have a more working attribute than others, but in the six dogs I’ve had, all have quite different personalities. They have been willing to learn once they have understood the instruction. I suggest never overworking, as they will switch off and get bored. Three of mine have worked Novice rounds and been placed in classes among 20 to 30 competitors.
Obedience is my dog activity of choice, because I can train it without any equipment, and at any time, anywhere.
After losing my darling Labrador Retriever, Shadow, who I had competed with in obedience, I was contemplating getting another Labrador until I saw a picture of a Finnish Lapphund litter on Facebook. Although they were in Italy, I was quite smitten. My intention wasn’t necessarily to have another dog to work (in obedience) but to have a pet dog I liked the look of and admired. At the time, there didn’t seem to be any litters available in the UK, but I loved their shape and look and must admit to having done very little research on the breed. Luckily for me, Addy (Vis Et Gloria Ade Nov Ex OW (Imp Ita)) had been rejected by his prospective buyer, which left him available for me and proved very much worth the long drive of 830 miles! He is the first and only Finnish Lapphund I have owned, therefore I can only share my experience of owning and training this one dog.
Addy is everything I could want in a dog. He is fun-loving, has a wonderful temperament and is happy to try his paw at anything, having competed in agility and rally. He reminds me of a cat in a dog’s body who likes to question what we do and why. Being quite a sensitive soul, he didn’t always take to direction, often lying on his back and letting me know I was on my own. I soon realised that I would have to rethink some of my training methods and come up with a strategy that made Addy think it was all his idea in the first place. Most importantly for us was building a strong relationship, learning to trust and respect each other. I worked hard on
establishing firm ground rules within the home environment as well as a ‘no barking’ command, something I’m sure every Lapphund owner understands, as they’re quite a vocal breed. After much exploration, I found the most rewarding play and treat that were £50 notes to him! Addy is a strong character and environmentally aware, so maintaining his attention has been and continues to be a work in progress. We are fortunate to regularly walk with the best role models, who happen to be obedience champions, as that certainly helped curb his chase drive and aids with our recalls, which incidentally, I used a long line for some considerable time in his early days. One of these is the legendary Flame (Ob Ch Everush Olympic Flame, Crufts 2016
winner), who also taught him much-needed dog manners and didn’t put up with his bossy play! I have thoroughly enjoyed competing with Addy in obedience, and we have currently won out of both Novice and Class A, ready to progress into Class B. He is hugely consistent, rarely coming home without a rosette. Our B work is coming along nicely, but our big claim to fame is being picked for the South East & East Anglia team to represent Class A at Crufts 2025 in the InterRegional Obedience Competition, gaining second place as an individual and helping our team to first place and victory! I’m immensely proud of all Addy’s achievements, love everything about him and guess what? I am contemplating a second Finnish Lapphund!
Above: South East & East Anglia team win the Crufts Inter-Regional Obedience Competition, as featured in the May edition.
Left: Monika and Addy at last year’s Coventry show.
Far left: Monika with Addy in 2023. Courtesy of Monika Dobbs
On the scent
By Cathy Proctor, Secretary of the Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain
I live in Argyll in the West of Scotland with its coast, hills and forest. I am keen to explore new activities with my dogs, and Finnish Lapphunds are very versatile. I show my dogs, but also do companion dog training incorporating The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training scheme exercises, as well as agility, rally and mantrailing.
In mantrailing, beginners start with an easy game – a person runs a short distance within the dog’s sight and is rewarded with a high value treat or toy when they ‘find’ them. If you are using food, I recommend bringing plenty, together with a small sealable container for the trail layer (previously known as the misper) to carry. No food should be concealed in pockets or hands, as that can be a distraction. The food should be REALLY special to your dog, as it needs to be a big motivator, so no manky biscuits. That didn’t apply to my three-year-old Lapphund, Roo (Alkantara Talvi Hamara With Cathbri), as any food is rewarding to her!
We started by learning the runaway exercise. These sessions were held in a forest with tracks and plenty of vegetation. Roo needed to use her sight and sound as well as her nose, and I soon realised how important it was to have a good motivational toy or treat.
The trail layer showed Roo a scent article and left it on the ground. He then moved a few yards away. Roo was shown the scent article and then told to ‘seek’ or ‘find’. When we reached the trail layer, I praised and rewarded
Roo. This was repeated a few times and then the trail layer actually hid. The search process was then worked again, and as the distance increased, we introduced the long line.
I’ve realised that a reasonable degree of fitness and mobility is needed to keep up with Roo, as well as clothing suitable for all weathers, including footwear and long trousers.
It is interesting to observe how breeds work in different ways. Roo follows the trail on the ground, but also air scents. I’ve been amazed
that she hasn’t gone off squirrel hunting – yet! Throughout our mantrailing journey so far, we have increased distances and difficulty, such as split trails and finding the trail layer in a group of people. We are also trailing in urban settings and using very small scent articles. Roo has also tracked a person from their car. Mantrailing is definitely very rewarding, and our relationship has grown immensely.
Following on from scentwork
Trail hunt is an activity where dogs are taught to follow an odour trail in the environment to locate the pod at the end. It is a blend of tracking and trailing, making it accessible to all dogs and handlers, as it’s a low-impact activity.
My 12-year-old Lapphund, Ihana (Ir Ch Bridus Ihana With Cathbri ShCM) has recently started trail hunt and thoroughly enjoys it. She took a few sessions to cotton on, but once the pod was actually hidden, she realised that the key was using her nose, rather than just her eyes.
The sessions are normally shorter than mantrailing, so suitable for those that may not want to be out for more than three hours in all weathers. It suits dogs and handlers of all ages and helps build a bond between dog and handler. Another great activity to try!
This short but steep walk offers fabulous views over the city and beyond, plus a plethora of wildlife – and Highland cows.
My favourite dog walk is in Scotland and takes in part of the Pentland Hills in Midlothian with its incredible views of the city of Edinburgh and the Forth Bridges.
It starts off at Hillend, just off the Edinburgh bypass, with free parking available at the Swanston Golf Club.
As you begin the round trip, you walk up a steep hill past the golf club. The road follows the start of the golf course and is lined with pretty holly bushes.
The first stop on the way up is a field that usually contains two or three Highland cows, and it is recommended to keep dogs on their leads. At this point it is already high enough to provide good views over parts of the suburbs of the city.
Continuing up the hill brings you to where the University of Edinburgh keeps its ponies. We once did this walk in the snow and saw them out taking riders up the hill.
deer and more Highland cows grazing in the hills. We even managed to see a rainbow on one occasion. It is a walk that changes with the seasons.
WALKING TIPS
Sturdy footwear recommended
Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs
Be prepared for steep inclines
Don’t forget your camera!
As you carry on up it gets steeper and steeper, until eventually you reach a plateau, nestled between the hills. Here you are rewarded with a spectacular view, so long as it is a clear day! You can see Arthur’s Seat, the three bridges and sometimes even as far as North Berwick, which is 30 miles away.
What I enjoy about this walk is that we encounter something different every time – for example, sheep,
On the descent down the hill, you pass a farm with horses and goats and then circle back around to the golf club car park. The whole walk takes about an hour and you are also welcome to go into the golf clubhouse for refreshments.
Whenever we have visitors we always take them on this walk as the route is clearly marked and there is lots to see.
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