Irina Poletaeva

Finland

In 1973 Irina got her first dog, an Airedale Terrier. However her own breed became Miniature Schnauzer and she has bred them under prefix Tmavi Knir. There are over 100 champions, World Winners and Best In Show winners both at all breed shows and specialty shows. In 1999 a book about Miniature Schnauzers was published. In 2003 the Finnish Kennel Club awarded Irina the highest award of breeding and in 2021 Tmavi Knir kennel had its 45th birthday. Besides Miniature Schnauzers there has been also German Shepherd, East European Shepherd, Dobermann, Schnauzer, Giant Schnauzer, Russian Black Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Russian Toy and Russian Bolonka at home. She became show judge in 1980 and is nowadays an all round judge and has been judging in about 40 countries. She is a Specialist Judge of Schnauzer and Pinscher breed, Working Dogs and Russian breeds.