Breeder

I can't remember a time in my youth when I didn't want a dog of my own. However, my parents weren't keen on the idea. It wasn't until I was 16 that our family got a dog. A male Doberman – perhaps not the best choice for a first dog :) But I wanted one... After all, I had watched the TV series Magnum, which featured two handsome Dobermans – Apollo and Zeus :)
Note! I do not recommend anyone choose a breed based on such criteria!

Unfortunately, that Doberman didn't live very long, as it had all kinds of health problems and had to be put down at a relatively young age (apparently due to a brain tumor).

When I started planning to get my first dog, my list of requirements included the following:
- short-haired
- 'dog-sized'
- preferably a service dog breed
- healthy & relatively intelligent breed

After going through all the possible breeds, there was nothing left but the smooth collie :) At that time, I hadn't even seen many representatives of the breed, so the first thing I did was go to a dog show to see them in person. I think it was 1992 and BOB at the show was beautiful Dalimattas Future Flora. Incidentally, BB5 at that show was a junior class dog named Dalimattas Pinacolada, who, a few years later, after many twists and turns, ended up in my care and became the dam of my first litter.
My first dog was Kangasvuokon Ten Points (born in 1994). As the pack grew, Ringo moved to a new home (in 1999) because he never really adapted to life in a larger group. In 1996, a 3-year-old Dalimattas Musicmaker moved in with me. Jazz had been in several homes before me, but that "problem dog" made me fall in love with the breed for good. You don't often come across a smarter dog.