History – Kennel Flatts
Awaking an interest in dogs
My interest in dogs and horses comes as a genetic inheritance from my parents &emdash; there have been horse traders and such in the family. Dogs have always been present in my grandparents’ and childhood home.
My first dog and my “best friend” was a Finnish spitz “Tuscha” who unfortunately ran under a bus and had to be put down due to his injuries. At the time we lived in the town center in an Armiro-house near the market where I grew up as a child.
My interest in dogs and horses comes as a genetic inheritance from my parents &emdash; there have been horse traders and such in the family. Dogs have always been present in my grandparents’ and childhood home.
My first dog and my “best friend” was a Finnish spitz “Tuscha” who unfortunately ran under a bus and had to be put down due to his injuries. At the time we lived in the town center in an Armiro-house near the market where I grew up as a child.
Ajax and Wilhelm Schauman
In 1956 to move my family to the neighborhood “Skata” in Pietarsaari and my dad bought me a Newfondland puppy named Alderbay Ajax. Ajax’s breeder was the very famous Wilhelm Schauman who co-founded the Finnish Retriever Association and Beagle Association and was active as an exhibition and trial judge.
Wilhelm Schauman (26.7.1917 – 24.1.2008) lived here in Pietarsaari and from him I have received many “wise words” on my road as a breeder.
I have many fond memories and experiences from my show trips with my father droving me around the country, my first show was in Vaasa in 1958 when Ajax was BOB with CAC, his got first BIS he in Kauhava. He became a Finnish Chamption in 1960.
In 1956 to move my family to the neighborhood “Skata” in Pietarsaari and my dad bought me a Newfondland puppy named Alderbay Ajax. Ajax’s breeder was the very famous Wilhelm Schauman who co-founded the Finnish Retriever Association and Beagle Association and was active as an exhibition and trial judge.
Wilhelm Schauman (26.7.1917 – 24.1.2008) lived here in Pietarsaari and from him I have received many “wise words” on my road as a breeder.
I have many fond memories and experiences from my show trips with my father droving me around the country, my first show was in Vaasa in 1958 when Ajax was BOB with CAC, his got first BIS he in Kauhava. He became a Finnish Chamption in 1960.
Labrador- and Flatcoated retriever
In 1961 I got my first Labrador retriever Gullbergs Oona. Oona was no show star but a good friend when I was out on my rides with my Finnish horse Tomi. Oona was a “slower type” so we had to wait for her at street corners.
In 1969 I purchased the first Flat Coated Retriever “Pooh Fylgia” from “Bat” Brulin, Pooh-kennel in Strangnas, Sweden. “Twiggy” was Finland’s second Flat Coated Retriever, but unfortunately she had 3rd degree HD and was not used in breeding. Twiggy had multiple CCs and BOBs.
The next flat was Roxy i Vassen from Gunnel and Kenneth Kankkunen, Kennel i Vassen. “Lee” was also, unfortunately, HD grade 3 and was not used in breeding. With Lee I competed extensively in service dog tests and was in the open class on track. Lee had many CCs, BOBs and CACIBs. Lee fell ill with gastric torsion and died at only 4 years old.
In 1961 I got my first Labrador retriever Gullbergs Oona. Oona was no show star but a good friend when I was out on my rides with my Finnish horse Tomi. Oona was a “slower type” so we had to wait for her at street corners.
In 1969 I purchased the first Flat Coated Retriever “Pooh Fylgia” from “Bat” Brulin, Pooh-kennel in Strangnas, Sweden. “Twiggy” was Finland’s second Flat Coated Retriever, but unfortunately she had 3rd degree HD and was not used in breeding. Twiggy had multiple CCs and BOBs.
The next flat was Roxy i Vassen from Gunnel and Kenneth Kankkunen, Kennel i Vassen. “Lee” was also, unfortunately, HD grade 3 and was not used in breeding. With Lee I competed extensively in service dog tests and was in the open class on track. Lee had many CCs, BOBs and CACIBs. Lee fell ill with gastric torsion and died at only 4 years old.
Early breeding work
In 1974, 11 months old and healthy hipped Gunhills Gipsy-Girl (GB CH, BOB at Crufts Tonggreen Sparrowboy x INT S & FIN UCH Downstream Ambleside Jill) came from Gunhills-kennel in Bygdeå, Sweden. Gunhills Gipsy-Girl had 2 x CAC and an approved the tracking test of the hunting dogs at that at the time was required to get the title FIN CH but Gipsy died of gastric torsion and did not get her 3rd CC and title FIN CH.
On 8 February 1975 Gipsy bore her first litter A-litter with Gunhills Cerberus as the sire. She was also the dam of litters B and D. The B-litter was born in 1976 Finland’s with first brown flat Flatts Brown Baxter “Bruno.” The B-litter was sired by N CH Gunhills Dexter. In 1974 I imported the 5 months old Gunhills Leonore (Gunhills Cerberus x CH.Downstream Ambleside Jill) who became FIN CH. “Borrow” is foundation bitch to my current breeding dogs and Leonore had a great “track nose” and we competed simultaneously in the service dog tests in track and tracking tests for hunting dogs. Leonore was a first prize winner in winner’s class and obtained the title FIN SCH. Leonore’s younger brother was Umeå’s best drug dog. Leonore was a well-built girl with good proportions and a beautiful feminine head; for example she got this assessment from a judge: “a well-built female who is worthy of her champion title.” In 1983 thekennel received the Vuolasvirta Award No. 100 “for deserved breeding”.
In 1974, 11 months old and healthy hipped Gunhills Gipsy-Girl (GB CH, BOB at Crufts Tonggreen Sparrowboy x INT S & FIN UCH Downstream Ambleside Jill) came from Gunhills-kennel in Bygdeå, Sweden. Gunhills Gipsy-Girl had 2 x CAC and an approved the tracking test of the hunting dogs at that at the time was required to get the title FIN CH but Gipsy died of gastric torsion and did not get her 3rd CC and title FIN CH.
On 8 February 1975 Gipsy bore her first litter A-litter with Gunhills Cerberus as the sire. She was also the dam of litters B and D. The B-litter was born in 1976 Finland’s with first brown flat Flatts Brown Baxter “Bruno.” The B-litter was sired by N CH Gunhills Dexter. In 1974 I imported the 5 months old Gunhills Leonore (Gunhills Cerberus x CH.Downstream Ambleside Jill) who became FIN CH. “Borrow” is foundation bitch to my current breeding dogs and Leonore had a great “track nose” and we competed simultaneously in the service dog tests in track and tracking tests for hunting dogs. Leonore was a first prize winner in winner’s class and obtained the title FIN SCH. Leonore’s younger brother was Umeå’s best drug dog. Leonore was a well-built girl with good proportions and a beautiful feminine head; for example she got this assessment from a judge: “a well-built female who is worthy of her champion title.” In 1983 thekennel received the Vuolasvirta Award No. 100 “for deserved breeding”.
Kennel Flatts year 2016
I live in the countryside in Östensö village, Sandö in Bennäs that is a part of Pedersöre municipality and is located 10 km outside of Pietarsaari. We have a large plot of land in a natural setting with hunting grounds around and room for all of us: a bunch of Flat Coated Retrievers, some Border Terriers and my two horses. My horses are Arab crossings Felizia “Lisi” born in 1992 and her foal was born in July 2007, the gelding Björksunds Ferrari “Ferro.” Ferro’s sire is the Arab stallion Mobile ox. Both horses are a product of my own breeding. My two sons, Thomas and Rasmus have already moved from the family home.
Thomas has own family with 2 daughters: 8 years and 3 years old and lives with his family in Larsmo. Rasmus lives with his girlfriend and dog in his own house in Sandsund. Rasmus is an avid motocross rider and competes in the MX 1 class A in Finland and abroad with great success and has also run in Gotland, Sweden in the Gotland Grand National, the biggest enduro race in the world and placed as the best Finnish driver in 2007. Both sons work in the motorcycle industry as Rasmus is a partner in the firm.
Benita Björklund
I live in the countryside in Östensö village, Sandö in Bennäs that is a part of Pedersöre municipality and is located 10 km outside of Pietarsaari. We have a large plot of land in a natural setting with hunting grounds around and room for all of us: a bunch of Flat Coated Retrievers, some Border Terriers and my two horses. My horses are Arab crossings Felizia “Lisi” born in 1992 and her foal was born in July 2007, the gelding Björksunds Ferrari “Ferro.” Ferro’s sire is the Arab stallion Mobile ox. Both horses are a product of my own breeding. My two sons, Thomas and Rasmus have already moved from the family home.
Thomas has own family with 2 daughters: 8 years and 3 years old and lives with his family in Larsmo. Rasmus lives with his girlfriend and dog in his own house in Sandsund. Rasmus is an avid motocross rider and competes in the MX 1 class A in Finland and abroad with great success and has also run in Gotland, Sweden in the Gotland Grand National, the biggest enduro race in the world and placed as the best Finnish driver in 2007. Both sons work in the motorcycle industry as Rasmus is a partner in the firm.
Benita Björklund