From left NordW-04 NordJW-04 NW-04 JW-04 FINW-04 Benton One More Duck
FIN & S(u) CH Benton Let Em Talk
INT & FIN & S(u) CH Benton Delaware Storm
after the very successful show weekend in Sweden
Photo: Hannele Pakkala
Marjo Jaakkola, Turku
www.saunalahti.fi/benton(text translated by Sanna Kavén)
From left NordW-04 NordJW-04 NW-04 JW-04 FINW-04 Benton One More Duck
FIN & S(u) CH Benton Let Em Talk
INT & FIN & S(u) CH Benton Delaware Storm
after the very successful show weekend in Sweden
Photo: Hannele Pakkala
1. Introduce shortly all your family members including dogs and other pets?
Home with me is living in June 9 years old INT & FIN & S(u) CH Benton Delaware Storm "Sara".2. What is "the thing" in Welsh springer spaniel as breed?
I guess it was good size (not too small and not too big), temperament and appearance. I have always liked dogs with good personality, and Welsh springers are such. Sara, which I have at home, can sometimes be quite annoying is anyway a big personality and sometimes I wonder, if it is possible to love a dog more than I do despite of all that has happened.3. Since when you have bred/owned Welsh springer spaniels?
First Welsh springer spaniel came to me in 1980 and it was because I was not allowed to take an English springer spaniel (my parents said English springer is too big, which I still sometimes wonder), so I had to be 'settle for' Welsh cousin. First litter was born in 1992.
DUTCH CH EuJV-02 BelJV-02 BelW-04 Benton Kansas Storm
(Int Ch Benton Everybody Duck - Int Ch Benton Delaware Storm)
4. How many litters you have bred? Is there expected litters in the future too?
I have bred for now 14 litters, last year I did not have any litters. At the moment FIN & S (u) CH Benton Let 'Em Talk is mated wtih Norwegian male N U CH Chateau Suduiraut av Vettin and these puppies are expected to be born in the end of January. I also have planned to mate WW-03 Benton It's My Party in the spring, just have to find suitable male for her.5. To which things should be concentrated in this breed?
Type is still very varied. Biggest problems in breed are maybe the never-ending fronts, heads and I also would like to see more excellent moving Welsh springer spaniels.6. What are the best qualities in breed in our country?
I believe we have overall very good tempered dogs, it is very rare one sees aggressive welsh springers in my opinion.
AM CH BISS Benton Ivy League CGC
(WW98 Rwyn Lucky Luke - Int Ch Benton Delaware Storm)
7. Tell shortly about the most successful Benton Welsh springers?
If we think only about show success, then the three most successful ones are most likely (maybe not in this order anyway):INT & FIN & S(u) & N CH ITW-00 NORDW-02 SW-02 FINW-03 Benton Everybody Duck
which has several BOB and BIG placements, BIS4 placement in international show etc
INT & FIN & S(u) & N & DK CH FINJW-00 NORDW-00,-01,-02 FINW-04 Benton Garden Party
which has been one of the most winning bitches in breed for last years
AM CH Benton Ivy League, which was Welsh Springer Spaniel of the Year in USA in 2004, result which I respect a lot, because he has gained this all with long tail (this is maybe not preventing winning, but 'restainer' it is there). This dog has now when 4 years old been twice BOB in breed special main show (and two other times been first Award of Merit winner), first time he was BOB in this show when 10 months old. This dog has about 10 group wins and almost 40 group placements and BIS win in all breed show.
I also must mention as fourth the 15 months old NORDW-04 NORDJW-04 NW-04 FINJW-04 FINW-04 Benton One More Duck, which has just started his show career, but he has got already lots of success like BIS in Swedish Club Show, 16 CC's from total 16 shows, some INT show BIG-wins and winner titles already 5 in junior age. Hopefully his best moments are still in the future.
NORDJWV-04 NORDW-04 NW-04 FINJW-04 FINW-04
Benton One More Duck
(Arkview Moon Stroller - Int Ch Benton Garden Party)
winning first time the group when 9 months
and 4 days old in Kotka international show
Photo: Veera Hovila
8. Mention one or more the best individuals of the breed in Finland and in the whole world?
If I mention only one it is WW-98 Rwyn Lucky Luke. He did not have many litters in Finland, but I am lucky to have two of those and this way may continue breeding work now from his daughters and granddaughters. I also have planned to bring in another one of his granddaughters.9. Where you find the best Welsh springers in the whole world?
Even if the origin of the breed is Great Britain, I would say, many Welsh springer spaniel in Scandinavia could compete equally with their best Welsh springer spaniels.10. Is there some other breed, which you could imagine to own or even breed?
Yes, and hopefully one of those will be in the near future found from my home, English springer spaniel.As end:
As end I would like to tell my thanks to all puppy buyers for their activity, patience, taking part to breeders groups and so many other things. Together we achieve more!
One of Benton Best In Show breeders groups
from left INT & FIN & S(u)& N CH ITW-00 NORDW-02 SW-02 FINW-03
Benton Everybody Duck
FIN & S(u) CH Benton Hole In One
FIN CH Benton Lookin' For Duck
FIN & S(u) CH Benton Let 'Em Talk
Photo: Outi Lius