Jaana Kummala

Finland

I am a long-time dog enthusiast from Central Finland. I became excited about working with dogs already as a little girl. At first, I walked the neighbors’ dogs, and after much persuading, I finally got my first own dog in 1974. A Rough Collie proved to be an excellent companion for many years of hobbies. I trained and competed myself, and also worked as an official at trials and shows. As my mother used to say, I was “dog‑crazy.”
Over the years, I completed various courses in the kennel world, and about twenty years later it was time for the judges’ course. I qualified as a conformation judge in 1999, with my first breed being the Rough Collie. Little by little I expanded into new breeds and new groups. Studying new breeds broadens one’s perspective and always brings new people into one’s life. Today, I judge breeds from all groups; I am authorized to judge all breeds in groups 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10l, as well as many breeds from other groups.
Club work has also been close to my heart. In the past, I was very active in local dog clubs, in various tasks within breed clubs, and even served for several years on the board of the regional kennel district. Nowadays, due to my work and life situation, judging duties and expanding my judging qualifications have unfortunately reduced my time for these activities. In addition to dog sports, I enjoy spending time in my yard at home, mushroom and berry picking. Golf is also something I’m happily learning. A few times a year we travel either north or south—searching for snow, or for light and warmth.