Anu Mikkola, Finland
First I want to thank for the invitation to judge the Norwegian Championship 2020, it is a great
honour.
I have owned flatcoats for over 20 years and have been a working test judge since 2012 and cold
game test judge since 2016. I have competed with my dogs in every Nordic Country and have been
able to participate many lessons with top handlers and trainers. However, my favourite day with
my dogs is in Lapland hunting black grouse and capercaillie. At home in more southern Finland we
are active in picking up ducks, geese, pheasants and partridges during the hunting season. Today I
have two flatcoats (4 yrs and 12 yrs) and in the household live two labradors, who are trained and
mainly handled by my boyfriend.
In a retriever I am fascinated by the balance between dog’s instincts and cooperation with
handler. A dog who can mark, is smoothly handled, can make the most of the terrain and the
weather conditions to profitably use his nose and comes back with game to please his handler
who is smiling. What more can you ask for? This is what makes a perfect day in both test and
hunting!
I really look forward to the September weekend in Norway with your best retrievers, see you!
