Guest Opinion
FinnishSpitzUpClose
A special site where we can share our knowledge and love of Finnish Spitz.
Interview's with the Breeders!
First please outline your involvement in dogs and if you are a breeder/owner/handler and or judge
please put amount of years , assignments ect....

1.When and where did you see your first FS? What attracted you to the breed?

2.What are the most important breed characterics to keep in mind for anyone wanting to become
a good FS judge?

3. Do you feel the current AKC breed standard  adequate? If not what changes would like to see?

4.How would you compare FS in the USA and Canada to FS in Finland?
5. Please mention at least one FS not owned or bred by you which you partically admired. And
one bred or owned by you.
Our first interview is with long time breeder Joan Grant!

1. My first knowledge of the breed was from an article in the CKC magazine Dogs in Canada,
in 1974, where it notified us that the breed had been officially recognized by the club and gave some insight into the breed. After reading about them I contacted a lady interviewed for the article, Mrs.Griselda Price, in England, and eventually purchased a bred female from her in late August 1974.
I wanted a breed simular in nature to the Norwegian Elkhounds I had been breeding, and yet a smaller breed.
My first sight of a live FS was Dora in her crate at the airport when she arrived in Canada, and I was delighted with her tiny ears.

2.Their lively character, and the need for the breed to be able to move efficently in order to perform the role of hunters.

3.I think the standards should be left alone until there are a reasonable number of experienced breeders to partake in any corrections or changes.
4.When in Finland, I realized there was very little difference in type, size, color, or character
between the dogs there and those I knew at home and shows. There was a huge difference between the behavior of the handlers there than here in Canada and the United states, for most of them continuously baited their dogs at each other, much as the terrier handlers used to do in our rings.
5. a)In Helsinki, I really liked one of the females that competed from the Champion class. This was a 4 year old named Sointu, bred, owned and shown by Esko Luomanen. She was gorgeous-medium red, light on her feet, traveling smoothly, in a straight line, without wasting any energy, was alert and showy, without any fears or aggression. Being in this class means she had
a Show Championship as well as a Hunting title. (Alas, I have no photo)
b)of my own, I felt a particular excitement about a young male I sold into California, while I kept
his sister. He moved effortlessly, without tiring. He was keen, alert, and showy, yet a calm and loving compaion to live with. When he was a youngster I thought he had a good hunting instinct.
It was very disappointing to me that I never heard from his new owners, but I did learn that he earned
his AKC title. His name is Ch.Jayenn's Xylona, a
brother to Xaviera and Xanas. His photo to the right, taken as a puppy the last time I saw him.
Ch.Jayenn's Xylona