Oberitz Trollnisse at Lumenico VW - “Lupo”
10/10/2013 – 23/07/2023
The Wolf who lit the way
The Beginning of Lumenico
Lupo was my first dog, my first Finnish Lapphund and the heart from which Lumenico began.
Born on 10th October 2013, exactly six months after my own birthday, Lupo was one of seven puppies in the “Troll” litter, bred by Niki Allison of kennel Oberitz. His sire was “Ice” (Lappizaros Glazyr), a Cream Swedish import. His dam was “Rema” (Oberitz Marimekko) a brown tri. We were given a darker black tri-colour male from the litter. I was ecstatic. I had wanted a dog my entire life but wasn’t allowed one growing up. At this point I was 25 and felt I’d had to wait a very long time for this day to come. I brought a small carrier for the journey home with him, but he chose to sit on my lap for the entire 3.5hr car ride from Shropshire to South-East London. He stole my heart from the very beginning.
It was the 7th December 2013 when we brought Lupo home. Just weeks before Christmas. That year had been one of profound loss following the death of my father earlier in 2013, and bringing Lupo home marked the start of healing.
It was my first Christmas without my dad, and Lupo filled our home with light when we needed it most.
Bringing Lupo home changed everything. From that moment on, he was never simply a pet – he was my constant companion.
Lupo gaining his final points for his Veteran Warrant.
Personality & Life at Home
I gave him the name “Lupo” as I wanted something unusual but easy to say. Wolves are my favourite animal, and I thought of him as my little wolf. The name fit.
Lupo developed the most gorgeous deep, rich golden tan markings as he grew up, and I adored his beautiful golden flecks beside each eye. I also loved his long furnishings on the back of his front legs and his big, male, Finnish Lapphund mane of fur on his neck. For me, he was such a classic looking Finnish Lapphund.
Lupo lived life with joy and sensitivity in equal measure.
He loved the simple things most:
- Chasing leaves and pinecones as I kicked them along our walks
- Trying to catch water from the garden hose, crying with excitement in anticipation
- Rolling happily in fresh grass, especially when it was cold and icy
- Playing chase with his Son Meeko and friends in the off lead paddocks
He adored chicken, evening cuddles on the sofa and being wherever I was. Lupo followed me everywhere.
I was lucky enough to be able to take him to work with me for 5.5 years whilst I worked at The Animal Health Trust in Newmarket. He stayed in the Oncology and Ophthalmology offices whilst I worked during the day. One Oncology vet said to me once that she had had a tough day putting a much-loved family pet to sleep. But upon arriving back at the office, Lupo was there waiting for her with a big smile and lots of tail wagging, offering her kisses and cuddles. Something which she said very much helped to make her feel better. That has always stayed with me. Lupo was very good at reading the room and sensing any unhappiness. He would always do his absolute best to try to make people feel better.
When I was badly bitten on the hand by a dog at work, he wouldn’t leave my side.
He was, quite simply, my shadow, my heart dog, my soul mate.
Showing Career
Lupo was my first showdog.
We learned everything together. What began as a shared adventure grew into a passion for me and gave him a show career that I am very proud of.
Lupo was shown at 38 x Championship shows; 53 x Open shows and 17 x Fun/Companion shows over his lifetime.
Highlights
2014: Best in Show at Chinbrook Fun Dog Show, our local dog show, at 11 months old.
2015: Best Finnish Lapphund Dog at The Heart of England Dog Shows: Lappy Weekend & Reserve Best in Show at Spitz in the Park
2016: Best Finnish Lapphund Dog & Best in Show at The Heart of England Dog Shows: Lappy Weekend. Best in Match at Hitchin & District Match Night, August & Reserve Best in Match at Hitchin & District Ringcraft Christmas Match Night
2018: Best Finnish Lapphund Dog & Best in Show at The Heart of England Dog Shows: Lappy Weekend
2020: 1st Finnish Lapphund Open dog out of 34 entries in the SFLS Virtual Online dog show. 1st place Finnish Lapphund Open Class in the World Online Dog show for Polar dogs.
2022: Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain Morval Trophy for AVNSC/AV FL of the year (2021 season) and gained his final points to be awarded his Veteran Warrant in July.
2023: 1st in the Finnish Lapphund Dog Open class at Scottish Kennel Club Championship Show, gaining his Stud Book Number (1280DJ). Unbeknownst to us at the time, this was his final show, just two months before his passing.
Career Achievements
- 13 × Best of Breed (Open Shows)
- 5 × Reserve Best of Breed (Open Shows)
- 6 x Group Placings
- 4 × Group 3
- 2 × Group 4
- 4 x First Places at Championship Shows
- 29 x First Places at Open Shows
- Qualified for Crufts every year of his life. We showed him at 7 Crufts in his lifetime and he placed in 6 of those – 2015 (2nd in Junior dog); 2016 (5th in Post grad dog); 2017 (4th in Limit dog); 2018 (3rd in Limit dog); 2019 (not placed); 2020 (3rd in Limit dog); 2022 (3rd in Veteran dog).
- 21 points towards his Show Certificate of Excellence
Other notable achievements included:
- FLCGB Bronze Versatility Award
- Character Assessment: Excellent
- Raised money for the Guide Dogs twice on the “Dogs Unite” sponsored walks
health
Hip Score
5/3 (8) - below the breed average of 13
Genetic Screening
Pompes Disease: Clear
PRA: Carrier
BVA Eye Scheme
Clear (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Progeny
Lupo sired two litters, passing on his temperament, expression, and loving nature.
The “Trikolori/Chocolate” Litter
3 puppies born to Lumikoira Tähtisade (Lola)
19/11/2016
- “Ohra” (Lumikoira Valkosuklaa) — cream bitch
- “Luti” (Lumikoira Tummasuklaa) — black tri male
- “Meeko” Lumikoira Maitosuklaa at Lumenico — brown tri male
The “Snow” Litter
5 puppies born to Lumikoira Tähtimimmi (Sura)
29/12/2020
- “Taisto” (Lumikoira Lumileijona) — brown tri male
- “Tuli” (Lumikoira Lumituli) — brown tri male
- “Odin” (Lumikoira Lumimäyrä) — black tri male
- “Zorro” (Lumikoira Luminaamio) — black tri male
- “Zena” (Lumikoira Lumikengät) — black tri bitch
Forever in Light
Lupo was my once-in-a-lifetime companion and the reason Lumenico exists today.
He taught me about responsibility and pet ownership; a lot about dog behaviour; and about resilience and the depth of the bond between human and dog.
He gave me the courage to try showing and judging and take my first steps into dog breeding.
On 23rd July, 2023, 3 months short of his tenth birthday, Lupo was peacefully put to sleep following a sudden cancer diagnosis. Suspected metastatic haemangiosarcoma. It came as a profound shock as he had been completely healthy throughout his life and had appeared that way right up until the end. Letting him go was, and still is, the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
The day he left us, a part of me left with him. We will never forget him and are very grateful to still have his son, Meeko, here with us today.
We were blessed with an extraordinary first dog — one who shaped not only my life, but the future of this kennel.
His legacy lives on through his son, his descendants, and in everything Lumenico strives to be.
He will always be remembered, always missed, and always loved.
In loving memory of Lupo.