About me

About me

The first golden arrived in our family in 1985. Famina, or “Fami” as she is known, was mainly obtained as a companion, but, along the way, I got interested in obedience tests and dog shows. We got 9 first prizes in open class, and she was BIS-veteran several times. Fami lived for 12.5 yrs.

In 1990, I finally got my very own golden retriever, Fi Ch Hiekkakankaan Jet-Set Julia , or ”Jedi”. She travelled with me to the US and back while I was studying. She was qualified in the field and became a champion at the golden age of ten as the oldest retriever in Finland. We also got first prize in obedience open class 4 times.

Looking back now, Jedi would’ve been a great dog in the field. Unfortunately, it was impossible to get to the training places at that time. Jedi lived a long and happy life with me for 14.5yrs.

Then along came Hiekkakankaan Kullan-Kosketus or “Duffy” in 1998. She was a lovely bitch (4 cc’s) with a great personality and a passion to carry anything dead. Unfortunately, she had to be put down at the age of four due to serious health problems.

None of these bitches were used for breeding, mainly because of their hips.

Then in 2002, Fi&Ee Ch Joystep’s May Flower or “Fanta” blasted into my life, and it’s been a joyride ever since! She’s everything I’ve ever wanted for a dog and then some. She’s the type of dog that comes around once in a lifetime, and we’re just perfect for each other in every way. Fanta has three litters.

Fi Ch Indian Story’s Dove and Hearts or “Cash,” joined the pack in 2005 after some unexceptionally long planning (eight years). She loves shows, water, training, and speeding things up at home.

Our grand-old-man was Cole, a rescued border collie-mix. He loved to keep the pack together for almost 15 years and was very dear to us.

I got the kennel name in 2009, and the first Sketching-litter was born in March 2009, of which Sketching Fort Knox, or ”Dime”, was to stay home.

 

I live with my fiancée Hanski in the country side, in Loppi, which is located near Riihimäki and the Tampere freeway about 45 minutes north of the capital area. Loppi is known for its potatoes, lakes, fields and forests. Additionally, it and provides endless possibilities for training and exercising dogs.

Although my dogs are mainly friends and sporting buddies to me, I hope to have a litter at home every now and then.

My aim is to breed mentally and physically healthy fit goldens who have the ability to work in the field and other areas. I also believe it’s possible for a working golden to be beautiful. The most important thing for me is the dog’s temperament and character, because those qualities originally made goldens a great gundog, and they still make it equally good for sporting and family dog as well. My goal is to attend shows, field trials, and go hunting with each golden I own.

 

Minna Mäkeläinen
Lähdemäentie 62
Loppi, Finland
tel: +358 40 5790667
minna.makelainen1@gmail.com