I had my first dog in 1966, a p & s Schnauzer. Her name was Pikke-Cecilia "Pikke" (Kille - Paminan Pipsa). Unfortunately she only lived 3,5 years and died of heart failure. After her we got a blue roan cockerspaniel, Aminette "Ami". With her I started my love of this hobby. I started to visit dog shows (without a dog, though) in the early 70`s and went to every possible show I had a chance to see. In 1978 my sister and I finally managed to talk our parents over and got the permission to have another dog. I wanted an English Springer, but my parents felt it was too big, so we settled with a Welsh Springer. After two years, our welsh springer arrived, on a cold January day. He was Pencelli Proceed , a 4-year old male from UK. He had a res CC in England before his arrival to Finland and numerous offspring. Pencelli Proceed "Cymro" had a fairly succesful show career here including a group win. He was also "Welsh Springer Of The Year 1981 in Finland". He did his biggest winnings in the veteran classes. He went Best Male under Mrs Dodo Hunton-Morgans of the famous Dalati kennels at the age of 9,5 years in a record entry. His most famous offspring is AM & GB SH CH Hillpark Gemmabelle.
 

Pencelli Proceed in the UK,
on the right his breeder Mr Harold Newman
 

Once I moved away from my parents house, I wanted another Welsh. I wanted a bitch. I was studying books, pedigrees, dogmagazines, Dog World, yearbooks etc and decided I want a puppy from the Delkens kennels in England. I wanted a Delkens Penniko daughter! I contacted the breeders and told what I want. I was sent pedigrees of three litters and I chose the one with Delkens Penniko x SH CH Delkens Teralea. I was offered Delkens Teah (later on the foundation bitch of Julita kennels). After a while, I decided I would rather have a male instead, as breeding seemed like a far away dream. I persuaded the breeders to sell me the litterbrother, which they intended to keep themselves. They promised the little boy to me. So in January 1984 the 5-month-old Delkens Turul arrived to Finland. My "once in a lifetime dog". I dont think I could ever thank the Spates enough for sending this little "treasure" to me. He was such a lovely puppy, but hated showing. After a lot of practise and practise, I dragged him around everywhere, he travelled in the bus and train - everywhere - and he learned his lesson. The rest is just history. He ended up being INT FIN NORW SH CH NORDW-85,-86 W-87,-88 Delkens Turul , the first Welsh Springer to win a gundog group at an Int Ch Show in Finland. In fact he did it twice. The results speak for themselves. He is the sire of 40 champions and numerous other CC winners.

INT & FIN & NORW SH CH NORDW-85,-86 W-87,-88 DELKENS TURUL
(Delkens Penniko x Sh Ch Delkens Teralea) 1983 - 1994
breeders: Del and Ken Spate, England
© Virpi Kallio

My next welsh springer was also an import from UK, a bitch this time, Russethill Remembrance. "Rhonda" got her name after her grandmother, Sh Ch Delkens Toneia at Russethill, who died the day before she was born. She was by Dalati Curig ex Russethill Ring`O`Roses. She had one litter, my very first litter
(Benton B-litter), there were 6 puppies. She was a very sweet bitch and a shadow of her friend Turul.

Russethill Remembrance
at Heathrow Airport in 1989

In 1992 I went to see WSSCA Regional Specialty in the US and saw young one
year old Carmen, FIN & EST CH Statesmans Unbridled. When I left home,
Susan Riese, her breeder, said I could have her if I want. Next year
Carmen arrived to Finland and had three litters with me. She lived to be
almost 14 years old. She gave me Int Ch Benton Delaware Storm and her
sister FINW-00 Benton Deep Feelings as well as N U CH NW-03 Benton Dew at
Inu-goya.

photo David Dalton
 

In 1995 I got a phonecall from Sweden and that lead to the arrival of FIN
CH Dons Take off to Benton "Svea". She had two litters in Finland, before
she moved back to her breeders. She is the dam of Int Ch Benton Garden
Party, who in turn has produced several big winners. These two bitches,
Svea and Carmen are my foundation bitches.

I am very grateful for getting some lovely quality welsh springers to start off my breeding work of this lovely breed.