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Shepmate's Kennel

My first wish as a child was a dog. I was eight years old when my wish came true, my parents got me a schipperke, Piki, who sealed my future.

Since Piki I have educated myself to be M.Sc in zoology and I am doing my doctor thesis in zoology as well. At the moment I am working as a head teacher in finnish Canine Academy in Kannus. My job includes teaching and managing work in the Academy.

My family includes my husband Juha Pulliainen, my daughter Pihla born 2005 and my son, Erkki born 2008 and of course my dogs. I have three dogs at home, Roni, Viksu and Onni.

My ideas about dogbreeding are very stright. I know for sure that there is not such a thing as perfect dog, but the compromises must be as small as possible. I believe that the health, function and character of the dog are the matters a good breeder will emphazise and value the most.

Australian shepherd is supposed to be a working dog and a shepherd/guardian dog. It means it is not a dog for everyone. A good aussie is not going to be an easy pet, it has potential to be a good working dog, it needs work and if he gets to do some, he will be a very nice companion too. Ideal australian shepherds  are true old fashioned dogs, working and versatile, moderate dogs, who will do it all!

I hope that people, who appriciate same qualities in aussies as I do, would contact me and we could co-operate for the future of our breed in Finland. I would be interested in semen shipping, importing dog or two, and in all kind of research work regarding health and character issues.

I will be as honest in breeding work as I can, I will share all the facts I know about my dogs and my future breedings. I hope that will not scare people of.  I just believe, that if your breeder tells you what you are about to get, it is much more safe than to buy a "perfectly healthy dog from perfectly healthy lines". I mean there are not such lines in today's world, all dogs have their own genetic faults and a breeder who doesn't know his/her dogs well enough to realize that is not a good one to deal with...And in Finland we have an old saying " tieto lisää tuskaa" which means appr.  information increases the pain...

It might be hard to admit that your beloved dog or expensive import bitch ain't going to be what you expected, but as long as a breeder wants to make a difference in a breed and keep up with good ethics, she has to be able to see the facts and she also has to be able to tell them to other breeders and owners as well.

My desire is to maintain this wonderful breed and work for the healthier future of the breed!

M.Sc Hanna-Mari Laitala

Photo: Ninni Koso