Our foundation bitch Hightide's Ocean Mist BEST IN SHOW
in Taivassalo, judge Arne Thorn (Sweden)
Gudrun Degerth, Nauvo Finland
http://personal.inet.fi/koti/gudrun-martti.degerth
gudrun.degerth@pp.inet.fi
Tel. +358 40 5686451(text translated by Sanna Kavén)
Our foundation bitch Hightide's Ocean
Mist BEST IN SHOW
in Taivassalo, judge Arne Thorn (Sweden)
1. Since when you have bred/owned English springer spaniels?
Our first springer came to our house in March 1993 and first springer litter was born in 1995.2. Do you own or breed also other breeds?
I have bred two newfoundland litters, but at this moment I own only English springer spaniels.3. Introduce shortly all your family members including dogs and other pets?
Our family includes me, my husband Martti who works on sea, Daniel 18 years studying last year in vocational school, Sara 16 years studying first year in secondary school and Sofi 4 years. Our doggy-family includes 6 springers: Sally 12 years, Misty 11 years, Snoopy 10 years, Candy 7 years, Mike 3 years and Ronja 4 months, so we have quite a lively in our house.
4. What hobbies you have with your dogs?
We have many kinds of hobbies with our dogs. Martti likes hunting, so bird and duck hunting is hobby of our younger dogs, when older ones are "retired".
Sara has obedience and agility as hobby mostly with Mike. I am mostly very busy with our youngest doughter, so I go to shows with our dogs and hope could start again obedience trainings in the future.
My doughter Sara in junior handler with Misty
5. How many litters you have bred? Is there expected litters in the future too?
I have bred 10 litters. At this moment we are planing one litter.6. Tell shortly about your foundation dogs (or some other dogs which have had great affect on your breeding career)?
Our foundation bitch is INT&FIN&EST CH Hightide´s Ocean Mist "Misty". Misty is "once in a lifetime" dog, which has it all: very good anatomy with gorgeous movement, beautiful head and coat and what is most important also excellent temperament and she also has always just loved to enter the show rings. And it seems also her progeny has these same kind of qualities.7. What you point out in your breeding work?
I point in my breeding work health, good temperament and anatomy, outlook and working abilities. From my opinion it is important we work to save springer's all-round abilities, there is not many breeds which can work in such a many fields as springer. Springers bred by us are seen as for example hunting, obedience, tracking and police dogs.8. What kind of owner an English springer spaniel needs?
English springer spaniel needs an active owner, who likes to do and work with dog. Springer must live as family member, never outside in dog garden.
Our youngest child Sofi with
FinCh Nimblewhit Norwegian Fun "Mike"
9. How you ensure your pupy buyers are suitable to own a puppy bred by you?
I ask all puppy buyers to come and see the puppies and then I watch how they act with puppies and adult dogs (this might tell a lot from buyer). I also try to give all possible information about all the work what puppy training and dog care takes and I ensure they have considered taking a dog very carefully. I keep regularly contact to puppy buyers and also give my advices when needed.10. What moment has been the most unforgettable during your breeding career?
Maybe most unforgettable moment has been Misty winning BIS2-puppy in Turku international Winter Dog Show in January -95. Misty's doughter's Dreemteems Evita Peron's BIS win in Karkku 2003 was also just unbelievable moment.
FIN M&JVA Dreemteems Evita Peron shaking hands
with the judge
Mrs Dorothy Bury (Lyndora) after her BIS win in Karkku 2003
As end:
Thanks to all dog people, puppy buyers and other breeders who we have had chance to meet during the years.