Sophie Aspholm

Finland

I have been actively involved in dogs since my teenage years, and I have over 20 years of experience living with Finnish Hounds and Gordon Setters. Although I no longer own Finnish Hounds, the Gordon Setter has remained my primary breed. My parents were not active dog hobbyists, but during my childhood our family’s hunting dog was a Retriever. The Miniature Schnauzer is also a familiar breed to me and has been so for just as long as the Finnish Hounds and Setters. I have bred both of my breeds under the kennel name Fixour’s. In the early years of my hobby, my dogs were used in a wide variety of activities. Finnish Hounds were hunted with and competed in field trials, while the Setters were trained in agility and obedience. Dogs have always been shown at least to the extent of earning national certificates, often also abroad, although never in a particularly intensive way. My dogs have never been kept solely for showing purposes; functionality and practical ability have always been important to me.
I began my career as an FCI conformation judge in 2018 with my own breed, the Finnish Hound. At present, I am fully qualified to judge FCI Groups 6 and 7, as well as approximately half of Groups 3 and 8. I value functional dogs with sound structure, healthy movement, and a positive attitude in the ring. At home I keep only a small number of dogs at a time—currently three Gordon Setters. In addition to canine activities, I enjoy fishing as well as various restoration and renovation projects. Handicrafts, especially woodworking, and other outdoor activities provide a welcome balance to my daytime work in administrative roles within the industrial sector. Judging at puppy shows and at the Finnish Winner Show (Koiramessut) is always a particular pleasure. I am very much looking forward to seeing the puppies attending Messari!