Crofter's Only home is situated in Kauhajoki, western Finland. We live in a small farmhouse in the countryside, where our dogs have a big yard for running and training.

I have always loved collies, but used to own poodles and one golden retriever earlier. It was in 2007 when I joined the Finnish Collie Club and started to look for my own puppy. My first tri bitch Lyyli (Marcol Christmas Hope) moved in with me in February, 2008. She is bred by Sarianne Väisänen, Nurmo. Lyyli was to become a working dog and a companion in dog sports, but - once you give it an inch, it'll take a yard.

In August 2008 I got our first blue merle dog Nero (Danlyn Moonwalker). Nero was already four years old and needed re-homing. He melted my heart and I have loved also blue merles ever since.

In 2010 the pack started to grow. In July 2010 I travelled to England and Ladnar collies to meet Sue and Dave Randall and to see a lovely tri boy. Elvis (Ladnar Tell Upon A Star) travelled to Finland with us. In September Salli (Marcol Flash Out Of Blue), Lyyli's half sister arrived and in October Brody (Danlyn Broadcaster) who is Nero's nephew.

In March 2011 the first Crofter's Only litter was born. CO Emily Of New Moon stayed at home. In the summer 2013 our pack was completed with Elvis's son Sulo (Marcol Heartbreaker) and his daughter Sylvi (Marcol Hawaiian Blue).

The pack was already too big, but in January 2014 I got a tempting offer from my dear friends Sue and Dave Randall and just couldn't turn it down. Therefore "Sir Bruce" (Ladnar Kissmaster) moved to live in Finland with me in March.

I breed rarely, mainly for my own purposes. My dogs live in the house with me and are beloved pets and members of my family. All puppies grow up in our kitchen and get fully socialized. Health, character and appearance in that specific order, are the most important criteria in my breeding programme. My aim is to breed a perfect collie one day, combining the best qualities of the British, NA-bred, and Scandinavian collies!

My collies train for working trials, agility and dog shows. I am a member in the Finnish Collie Association, Finnish Kennel Club, Active Collies Finland, Kauhajoki Dog Club, Finnish Working Dogs and The Finnish Agility Association.

In addition to my profession as a teacher I work as a qualified ring steward at dog shows, at working trials and mental tests. I'm a tresurer at our Osthrobothnian Subdivision of Finnish Collie Club, a chairperson of Kauhajoki Dog Club, and work in the show committees of Seinäjoki Int. Dog Show and Tuuri All breeds Show.

Ms Marjo Hautaviita

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Photos by Marjo Hautaviita, Sarianne Väisänen and Viivi Väisänen.