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Top Import
Register Working Dog 1994 and 1995
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Sulyka
Valio ‘is’ Curdeleon
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Sulyka
Kukka-Maaria at Curdeleon
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Curdeleon
Suvi Ruusu of TabanyaRuu
To see Smuu’s pedigree, click here
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Smuu,
enjoying the snow and pondering her Finnish relatives
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of the major attractions to the breed for us was the Lapphund’s
placid, loving nature. With a 7 year old and an 8 year old in the
house at that time, we wanted something with a reliable disposition.
We certainly haven’t been disappointed! |
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When
Smuu was around 16 months of age, I started thinking about showing
her, though I hadn’t a clue where to begin. Toni kindly pointed
me in the direction of my local ringcraft classes and after a couple
of months of learning the ropes, we started entering shows. |
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Smuu’s successes in the ring soon had me completely hooked. How
I cursed not having thought about showing her when she was still
a pup! |
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To
read a humorous article about our first ever show, click here
A couple of our critiques from the dog press:
‘Mowatt’s Curdeleon Suvi Ruusu, Finnish Lapphund, good neck, proud
head carriage, well ribbed body, fair topline, high tailset, dark
almond shaped eye, set in well proportioned head, very alert,
stylish free mover’'
Pamela Cross Stern (Judge), Windsor Championship Show 1.7.00.
‘Mowatt’s Curdeleon Suvi Ruusu, Well balanced Finnish Lapphund,
very feminine all through and extremely sound to go over, lovely
head, eyes, ears and expression, firm front, good body and outline,
sound behind, moving really well’
Terry Thorn (Judge), East of England Championship Show 22.7.00.
We also started agility classes at around the same time. Because
Smuu is quite a petite Lappie (16”) she jumps and competes at
midi height (20”).
Smuu is as bright as a button and picked it up very quickly (though
the weaves DID take some time!)
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2001 Smuu was taken advantage of by Tuukka (!!) and a beautiful
litter of five puppies was the result. Four bitches and one
dog, although sadly one of the bitches - Tassa, simply faded
away (Fading Puppy Syndrome) and died three days later. |
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Smuu
took to motherhood like an Ostrich to water - and the first
week was somewhat stressful. Smuu, "I don't 'do' feeding in
the night', had to be pinned down to make sure she jolly well
did! After that though she was fine and got more into it the
older and more interesting the pups got (although she always
loved clearing up after them!).
Smuu continued to be lightly shown and attend agility, along
with Tuukka and then Kallis, the pup that we kept. |
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December 5th 2002, we lost Kallis in a tragic accident. She slipped
out of my electric gates as they were closing and was killed on
the road. It was a savage blow during what was already a difficult
time. To this day I don't think I have got over it. |
By
2004 the sun was shining again in my little world, although
I still missed Kallis dreadfully. I was now living very happily
with Rory and finally had someone who was happy to accompany
me in my doggie pursuits.
We decided to repeat the Smuu and Tuukka mating and were blessed
with another beautiful litter of five pups in the spring,
two bitches and three dogs. Smuu was far more relaxed this
time around and the litter were very laid back and easy. We
decided to keep Sisko (Finnish for sister). |
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Smuu
rarely returned to the show ring after Sisko was born. Unfortunately
her tendency to yap when excited had grown and grown and because
she wasn't shown so often (I was concentrating on Tuukka and
Sisko) it was obviously very exciting for her, so catch 22.
She was however trundled out at Crufts and won a second place!
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In 2006 as a result of the Optigen gene test (www.optigen.com) I
learnt that not only was Tuukka a carrier (for the prcd genotype),
but that both Smuu and Sisko were affected. At first I was terribly
upset but then I realised that I was indeed fortunate to have such
fantastic dogs in my life and at least I knew they always had a
home with me. Until the gene test, it was impossible for breeders
to know the status of their breeding stock, especially since PRA
in our breed is late onset and there was absolutely no way of telling
which dogs were carriers. |
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Smuu's
vision (at time of writing at 9 years of age) seems to be
OK. She is a bit hit and miss at catching biscuits but otherwise
is leading a completely normal life. Long may it continue!
I had her spayed and I'm afraid we now need to fight the battle
of middle aged spread! She has enjoyed helping Sisko with
her puppies - although like most Grannies, she was either
being really lovely or really grumpy! |
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indoors to outdoors now, she is never far from me. She still has
the energy of a three year old and it is impossible to tell by either
looking at her or watching her play that she is actually getting
on a bit. She still likes to 'tell a good story' and still chases
all manner of wildlife. Her recalls still leave a lot to be desired
as well! |
Smuu
has only grown more beautiful as she's got older. She's still a
Princess, capable of sulking at times - but she's gorgeous and challenging
and I love her to bits!
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