Third generation dog breeder

Aya Lundsten

Isoniityntie 10, 21600 Parainen
(+358) 50 5438928
geijes(at)gmail.com

I have lived with Wheaten Terriers my whole life. When I was only one year old, “Cora” (C.I.B Geijes Wheaten Crecora) moved into our home. She was from my grandmother Eva Corander’s third Wheaten litter. Though I wasn’t yet a breeder when Granny died, I was allowed to help when they chose the combination for our first Wheaten Terrier litter, which was born in 1986. But the first dog that became my own was a Kerry named “Patron” (FI & SE CH Geijes Part One).

The most important thing about the Wheatens is that they are the correct type. I strive to show respect for the original Irish Wheaten Terrier through a breeding programme that contributes to the survival and future of breed. I select individuals that complement each other but are nonetheless of a similar type, while simultaneously continuing to breed the lines that originate from the kennel’s brood bitch. The most important characteristics of the dogs I continue to breed is that they are healthy and have a stable temperament. If they also turn out to be beautiful dogs, that’s an added joy. With such a small breed, it’s important to ensure that the gene pool doesn’t become too narrow.

Because of my job, I aim to time puppy litters so that they are born during my holidays. My sons were an enormous help when they lived at home, and now that they have their own families, they can provide safe reserve homes for my dogs. I’m also grateful for all the foster homes that have taken good care of the puppies and helped me in other ways, too. Without them, I could never have reared Wheaten puppies successfully. Through the dogs, I’ve also gained many wonderful friends over the years.

In 2011 a litter was born, and I discovered that some of the puppies had an eye defect. I contacted Hannes Lohi’s research group at the University of Helsinki. With the help of this litter, they discovered a defect in the RBP4 gene that causes disturbed eye development, or microphthalmia, which is a genetic disease in the Wheatens. The project spanned seven years. Nowadays, it is possible to test a Wheaten terrier anywhere in the world to determine if it is a carrier of the disease.

I am an honorary member of the Pargas dog club, Par-Hau, and was awarded a silver medal by the kennel district of the Southwest Finland.

In memoria

Mia Lundsten

1960 – 2024

Back in the beginning of the 1960s, while still a child, Mia came in contact with the Kerry Blue Terrier at her grandmother’s in Kauniainen. Geijes Kennel’s brood bitch, Dusty, was the first Kerry that Mia got to know. In 1982, Mia’s first Kerry litter was born. She raised them with the help of her mother, Anita Lundsten. As much as 39 years later, a Kerry litter was born that can be traced back to this first combination.

Mia’s breeding programme was on a very small scale – only 29 Kerry puppies in the space of 42 years. As a breeder, Mia felt a keen sense of responsibility for the future of the breed. She planned each combination with great care, aiming always to contribute positively to the future of the breed. She never had litters just for the sake of selling puppies. In 2005, she was awarded the breeder’s prize by the Finnish Dog Breeders’ Club.

Mia also cared deeply about the future of each puppy and felt responsible. She wanted the Kerry to have a good reputation, that it would remain healthy, and that all the dogs she bred would find a good home. She invested a lot of time and energy into every litter and was very selective when choosing homes for the puppies. Mia exported puppies to the U.S., Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden.

Mia worked actively for the breed for almost fifty years. She enjoyed a range of pursuits with her own Kerrys, such as Obidience and Agility, which were regularly on the agenda. She also gave her dogs the chance to train Hoopers, Rally Obedience, Nosework and Flyball. Nothing seemed to be too challenging for her Kerrys.

Mia was a fantastic trainer who could bring out the best in each dog with her talents. Her dogs were successful at exhibitions, but she was saddened by the common misconception that the Kerry is merely a show dog.

Mia’s ideal Kerry was strong and healthy, well reared, smart, active, and made in such a way that it could survive in any setting. She also liked Kerrys to be handsome and alert, in other words her ideal dog complied with the breed standard.

When Mia passed away on October 22nd, 2024, the dog world lost a great breeder. Thanks to Mia, Geijes Kerrys are unique and well-known all over the world. At Kennel Geijes, we will do our best to pick up Mia’s baton and continue her work.