Wow, May has started with a flurry of activity. Earlier in February, we entered Mischa in a Rally Trial, thinking just to try it out. We had a great time and Mish really enjoyed herself (she's a real show off sometimes) and quickly bitten by this new sporting bug, we looked for more trials. This weekend was our first chance to enter another one, and knowing that Dolce also likes Obedience (in fact he's better than Mish WHEN he applies himself) we entered them both. As predicted, Dolce needed a practice run and some time to settle in before gaining a qualifying score of 83/100 with his second trial. Mischa qualified in both trials with scores of 88 and 90/100. She has now earnt her Rally Novice title. This is our very first sporting title ever. I was thrilled that Mischa took me on this ride. I am really enjoying the thrill that comes with competing in the sporting arena. Its less about how pretty she looks or how well a judge knows and likes a breed and all about teamwork, working together to achieve a common purpose. It just thrills me when it works and even when it doesnt its a learning experience for us both.
That was just the Saturday.
On the Sunday we'd entered Herding and had signed up all 4 Lappies to test their Instinct.
I am thrilled to say that all 4 of the dogs gained their Herding Instinct Certificates. Mischa saw sheep a few weeks ago for a quick run, for Dolce its been 12 months and it was Summer and Titans very first time meeting sheep.
You wouldnt know it though, because Titan was like lightning, switching on for the sheep and Summer was pretty quick off the mark too. Titan was that fast we didnt even get any photos of him. But he made lots of people chuckle and gush over how clever he was. He wasnt listening because he still wanted the sheep. This boy has potential.
In the Canberra area we haven't found anyone that does Herding training or practice yet, so we just don't know how much we'll be able to develop the instinct unless we travel, so we may not get much further with it. But its nice to know the instinct is there.

Bitten by the Rally bug, i entered Dolce and Mischa into more Rally trials. They were held at the ACT Companion Dog Club showgrounds and we arrived in plenty of time. A mishap with getting Mish officially measured shook her confidence a little but she'd settled again in time for her first Rally Advanced trial. This trial is all off leash and the temptation and excitement got a little too much for Mischa at times with her bouncing ahead of me. This cost a bunch of points but i was so delighted to see her so happy and Mischa still got a pass with 79/100. 

Then it was Dolce's turn. I'd had him out for some practice to make sure he was settled. Dolce was a little shaky on the first two stations and i nearly lost him on the 3rd but then suddenly he switched on and gave me amazing focus. Dolce qualified with a score of 91/100 and thrilled me by taking 3rd place.

From at least as far back as my search for Summer i've noted some spectacular dogs overseas. Tracing and following pedigrees fast became a hobby that i really enjoyed. I started contacting owners and breeders, discussing not just the possibility of girls, but also the option to collect semen from some key males. Not all of them worked out and for one reason or another i set aside plenty of lovely boys in favour of others.
I somehow managed to shortlist 6 dogs and over the last year have been busy arranging their collection. I am delighted to have befriended their owners and / or breeders, building a rapport and bond that sees them just as excited as i am about the future offspring these boys will produce for us in Australia. We have imported frozen semen from: Fin & Rus Ch. Dagolas Naavaparta, Fin Ch. Firepower Casanova, Fin Ch. Hillasuon Leojokela, Multi Ch. Lapinpeikon Häntä Heikki, Fin Ch. Shacal Tiku & Multi Ch. Staalon Usvatassu

We headed to Bermagui for a week of relaxation and holidays with a couple of shows thrown in for the dogs.
As i had to take them all with me, i'd entered all 4 but knowing i couldnt run them all, Mel Scriven from Lempo Kennels came to the rescue claiming Titan months ago for the weekend.
The first day Summer took a nice 13 point Best of Breed, Titan took Reserve Dog to the 4 year old Challenge winner which was just a thrill and Mischa took Neuter in Group. I should've called it quits then as we didnt do nearly as well the rest of the weekend and Titan found the whole thing rather tiring backing up a late evening show with an early morning start. He wasnt impressed but perked up after a big sleep.

Mischa was the true star of the weekend showing all 4 shows plus competing in two Rally Trials.
The first one, she was a superstar, but i made too many mistakes and the second trial we qualified with a 93/100.
We are so thrilled and just knew she could do it. We've now been bitten by the bug and will be seeking out more Rally Trials to enter.

We finished the month with the Canberra Royal Show. Titan and Summer again were entered and Summer was a little crazy and excited to be out and have other Lappies at the show. Titan was a regular little trooper and showed so well for me so soon after Bermagui. Nothing exciting to report but it was lovely to see Jacqualine Lincoln up here with her gorgeous boy Louis and the lovely Emmi taking out Best of Breed and Runner Up.

January 11 was my birthday and we had a local show. So i took the day off work and entered Summer and Titan. At the last minute Mel Scriven decided to come up with Quinn to help me celebrate my birthday.
It was such a warm day and the show entry which was already small, was significantly reduced by the heat.
We decided to brave it as the weekends shows were cancelled and we thought it would be a very quick show.
Imagine our surprise when within 4 minutes of the show commencing they were calling Finnish Lapphunds. Fortunately the Border Collies showed up and bought us an extra few minutes of frantic grooming.
Summer and Titan were both little stars on the day with Summer taking Best of Breed. In a surprise twist Titan took Runner Up Best of Breed and i was pretty proud of the way they handled themselves. Whilst still too immature to be in contention for the Best in Group line up i was impressed with how Summer went and then the judge  (Ms D Puttock (NSW)) awarded her Puppy in Group! I'm absolutely thrilled with this gorgeous girl.
Waiting around for General Specials i wasnt disappointed when the judge complimented Summer on being such a beautiful and well structured girl. However, i wasnt surprised that Puppy in Show went to a lovely little Schnauzer who has already been doing a lot of winning. Summer did so well in the heat though and truthfully i dont think she really noticed it. She came home and did race tracks around the yard.

Two weeks later Summer took another couple of Best of Breeds and was again complimented by the judge, just missing out on Junior in Group. Considering she had just turned one i was thrilled that she was even in contention.

We set off for Victoria this weekend to attend the FLCV Open Show. Really it was just an excuse to catch up with friends and introduce the new kids on the block to a lot of Lappies.
Titan and Summer behaved really well considering all the new experiences for them both. This was Summers first show in Australia and she really did remarkably well. Titan took the whole thing in his stride, he is such a cool puppy. Nothing really bothers him at all.
Titan was awarded Opposite Minor Puppy in Show after being beaten by the bitch in the Class run-offs.
Summer was awarded 2nd in her class to a lovely puppy bitch from Kalevi Kennels.
The FLCV ran some novelty classes afterwards and here we did even better. First Mel insisted on taking Titan in for the waggiest tail class. Of course, Titan was in there, wagging his tail like crazy and generally enjoying himself. He laps up all the attention and i cheered when he won the class. Such a delightful puppy.
Summer had been seeking attention by barking most of the day so we thought we'd put her in for Noisiest Lappie. I was surprised when she didnt make a sound at first, but eventually she grew tired of being ignored by the other dogs in the ring and thought she'd make sure everyone knew she was there. I don't know that i was as excited to win that class. Hopefully we never repeat it.
Then Glen took Mischa in for the Best Trick competition and Mischa put on a sequence of tricks to impress the judge. It worked, and Mischa won the 'Best Trick' Class and some chews. Mischa will do anything for treats and likes to show off her tricks so she really enjoyed this class.
After catching up with everyone, we had a quiet night and drove home the next morning. I can hardly wait to do it all again in another 6 months.