Leila Stenlund

Finland

My involvement with dogs began in the early 1970s with Spaniels. I first owned a Cocker Spaniel and later Welsh Springer Spaniels. I trained actively at training fields and was closely involved in the activities of my local Spaniel Club. In the 1990s I acquired my first Basenji, a breed with which I was involved for over 25 years. Currently, I share my home with a Smooth Collie and two Whippets. I qualified as an FCI Conformation Judge in 1999, and three years ago I was granted all-breeds judging status. I have judged in many European countries as well as in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, and Canada. Club and organizational work has also played a significant role in my dog hobby. I have served on the boards and as chairman of several breed clubs and breed associations. Within the Finnish Kennel Club, I served one term as a board member and spent 13 years on the Show and Judges Committee. At present, I am a member of the Breeding Committee of the Finnish Basenji Club. In my free time, I enjoy the many tasks involved in living in a detached house, and reading is a special passion of mine.