How I became a Great Fan of Terriers

In 1990 I got my first Wire Fox Terrier Ekku, Bonnie Step Up-To-You. Before that I had to satisfy with walking the neighbours' dogs, which I did whenever I could.

Naturally, the situation quite soon ended up with a compelling need of having a dog of my own. When it was time to choose the breed, it was clear that we would have a Wire Fox Terrier, because there had been one in my father's childhood home. I, instead, wanted a Bearded Collie with beautifully fluttering hair; a dream, which was later realised.

However, a long muzzle and small, sharp eyes with a burning look captured my heart, despite of some experiments with sheepdogs.

Ekku and I acquainted ourselves with a large range of dog sports. Ekku was a calm dog with good nerves, and he tolerantly forgave the beginner's mistakes.

In 1996 I got the idea of "the king of the terriers, the majestetically calm and intelligent Airedale Terrier". Frida, Big Lady's Earthquake, moved to our home next summer. Frida definitely was a traditional airedale meeting even the highest expectations. Frida and I devoted us to the same interests as with my first dog Ekku, that is to say obedience, agility and fetching.

The Dog Shows took my interest in 2001, when I worked as a trainee in the kennel of Pirjo Hjelm, Airedale breeder. I learned a lot about grooming for shows.

In the shift of millennium I started the School of Animal Nursing. After two years I graduated as an animal nursing assistant, specialised in kennel activity.

In 2003 I found it clear, that my hobby with dogs would grow into a profession. I commenced my own business, and started trimming at the grooming salon of Hilkka Nordenswan in the city of Tampere. In the very same year I also obtained my kennel name Mindhunter. Mindhunter's first litter was born in the Christmas Eve in 2006. The energetic puppy brothers Christmas Star and Christmas Story were the most delightful christmas presents ever.

My husband Tuomas and I live in the countryside with our dear dogs Darla (Airedale), Rundi (Welsh Terrier), Capri (Wire Fox Terrier), and the boss of the gang Rasse (Briard). The two of my veteran aged dogs, Zody (Wire Fox Terrier) and Sienna (Bearded Collie) live in my mother's house. My other dogs, Wire Fox Terriers and Jack Russel Terriers, are co-owned with my friends.