News & updates

Nuttu participated in a conformation examination organised by the breeding committee of the Lapphund Club of Finland at Paimio last week. Her report by breeder judge Esa Ruotsalainen was a pleasing read and very much spot on!

Varpu's gene test results are here: she is a prcd-PRA carrier, and clear of Pompe disease, degenerative myelopathy, and canine multifocal retinopathy.

Nuttu's profile photo and gallery have been updated. Her brother Huli also has a new picture on his personal page. Thank you to the photographers!

For the fourth time in a row, I have to start with sad news: Ukko, who almost reached the age of 16, passed away at the end of March. My condolences to Ukko's family! On a brighter note, two new members have joined the gang: welcome Lapinlumon Xpertti (Havu) and Katajavaaran Agalas (Martta)! Havu comes from Denmark and lives in Seinäjoki, while Martta moved to Tyrnävä. Their personal pages will be added soon.

As spring progresses, we are getting more active in attending events. The rather undercoatless Mette participated in her first junior class show at Raahe on 29 Mar and was graded VG under Tarja Kallio. A week later, Ippo took part in the reindeer herding aptitude test in Kittilä at the Kukkura reindeer roundup paddock. He got off to perhaps too flying a start, however, settled eventually and worked the reindeer smart enough to pass the test!

Some good and not-so-good health news - Pate has been x-rayed with great results: hips A/B, elbows 0/0, and spine VA0 & LTV0. Thanks to the owner for having him examined! Koda and Varpu, who live in the same household, have had unpleasant but fortunately treatable health issues: Koda was suffering from perianal adenomas, which disappeared once he was chemically castrated, and Varpu had to be spayed a while back when her heat would not stop and hysterectomy was the only option. She was diagnosed with ovarian cysts and uterine mucous membrane vesicles.

Photo updates: Svea, Haku, Jasper, Alma's progeny, and the galleries of Ippo and Mette.

I begin this update with sad news once again. This time, we have lost Usva, who suffered a severe cruciate ligament injury and had to be put to sleep. My deepest condolences to Usva's family.

On the last weekend of February, it was again time for a Jäätuulen & Cantavia kennels' reindeer herding camp at Oijärvi. The more experienced participants from my team were Ippo, Jiska, and Ruusu, who put on a solid performance as usual. They were joined by first-timers Selmi, Pate, and Mette, who showed great interest in the reindeer. The boys were surprisingly calm around the reindeer, while the youngest of the bunch, Mette, was a tad too excited to be permitted off-leash. All three youngsters were very attentive to their handlers most of the time and I hope they will have another go at reindeer herding later on. Photographed below are Jiska (l) and Pate (r) - also visit the galleries of Ippo and Mette for pictures.

In health-related news, Otso was recently diagnosed with a perianal adenoma and was subsequently castrated. Meanwhile, Hali was eye tested clear at the age of ten, which is fantastic news - not just for him but also for his progeny. A big thank you to the owners!

We have lost one team member and welcomed another. In early January, we had to say goodbye to Nuuk, who reached the age of 18 years and 5 months. Easy-going, friendly and a very special boy in general, I consider Nuuk a benchmark in my breeding. His longevity and good health combined to his healthy conformation (anyone who saw him move can attest to that) and numerous breed-typical details are definitely something to strive for. My condolences go out to Nuuk's family. A day before we lost Nuuk, the team was joined by Pippurimuorin Merituuli aka Varpu, who moved to her partnership home in Pudasjärvi. Read more about Varpu on her personal page.

Poca has been eye tested, gonioscopied, and patella and cardiac tested, all clear.

There is no January without the traditional Spitz Specialty event held in the Siilinjärvi/Kuopio area. On Saturday the 25th, Poca underwent a thorough conformation examination, and on Sunday the 26th three Cantavia dogs were shown under breeder judges Esa Ruotsalainen (dogs) and Christian Lauluten (bitches). Rasmus was graded Very Good, and Vappu and Armi (pictured below) Excellent.

Mette and Armi have new profile pictures. In addition, Mette's gallery and Alma's progeny page have been updated.