Journey as a breeder, trainer and educator
It all began with Dolly.
My journey into the world of Labrador Retrievers began in 1998, when our first Labrador Retriever, Dolly, came to our family. At that time, there were only about 50 Labradors in Estonia and there was little information available about the breed. It was this ignorance and joy of discovery that laid the foundation for a deep interest in dogs, their abilities, and their cooperation with humans.
I was fascinated by Labrador Retrievers. versatility – their ability to learn, their willingness to cooperate, and their ability to fulfill a wide variety of roles while being a great family dog.
I quickly immersed myself in the world of dog sports and activities: obedience, agility, flyball, retriever trials, water rescue, and shows became a natural part of our daily lives.
An important role in my development was my active participation in the Estonian retriever community. Working in the Estonian Retriever Breed Association, both in the breeding committee, as a puppy broker and also on various boards, brought me together with hundreds of dogs and their people. I had a great opportunity to see different types of Labradors, including several working dogs who contributed to customs, police, medicine, and as assistance and therapy dogs. Hobby experiences confirmed the understanding that the dog needs meaningful activity, purposeful exercise and mental work – and this is where his joy and balance are born.
Dolly herself was an outstanding example of Labrador's ability. She became C.I.B EST W’02 EST, LV, LTU, BALT, BLR and RUS champion and on September 8, 2002 she was the first Estonian Labrador, who passed the retriever breed test in Finland. At the same time, he went hunting, ran agility and flyball trails, we dipped our paws in the water both in water rescue and as a therapy dog at a time when therapy dogs had not yet started in Estonia.
Breeder and breeder
In 2001, I was awarded the Estonian Kennel Club (FCI) breeder status and kennel name. My BrandSince then, breeding work has been conscious, long-term and responsible – focusing on health, character, working qualities and breed functionality.
To date, my journey has included nearly 100 personal dogs and over 500 nurseries. Labrador retrievers and Lagotto Romagnolos live at home. In breeding, I follow the principle that a good dog is not born by chance - it is the result of knowledge, experience and constant self-improvement.
Trainer
I have been working as a trainer in parallel with breeding for decades. I have completed the Estonian Kennel Club's basic trainer course with theory and practice exams and have consistently participated in international training courses, seminars and webinars. My interests lie in dog learning, mental states, motivation, the relationship between breeding and training, and developing cooperation between dog and handler.
My training philosophy is based on the understanding that The dog's emotional state, motivation and confidence determine the quality of learningThis is especially important in the training of retrievers for working and working trials.
Judge
Since 2023 I have been Retriever breed test judge, having completed the appropriate training and passed the necessary exams. As a judge, I value functionality, the breed's inherent desire to work, and the balance between the dog's mental and physical abilities. My future goal is to expand to judging retriever working trials.