Kasvatus

The name Aysling is derived from the Irish word aisling, meaning vision or dream. In Irish poetry, an aisling refers to a beautiful, symbolic vision—often portrayed as a woman representing hope and the future.

For me, the name reflects the dream of breeding Shetland Sheepdogs that are true to the breed: healthy, well-balanced, structurally sound and willing to work together with people. Above all, I hope they are dogs that make every day with them feel just a little bit magical.

The Sheltie I strive to breed

To me, a Sheltie should first and foremost be a beloved family companion while also possessing the qualities needed for an active lifestyle and dog sports.

However, a Sheltie is not a breed that is happy simply lying on the sofa. Their intelligence, energy and eagerness to work mean they need both physical activity and mental stimulation.

My ideal Sheltie is cheerful, confident, enthusiastic and enjoys working together with people. I value dogs that are easy to motivate, whether through food rewards or toys, and that genuinely enjoy learning and training.

Raising puppies

My puppies are raised in the heart of everyday family life. From an early age they are exposed to normal household sounds, daily routines and a wide variety of experiences.

I spend a great deal of time socialising, handling and enriching my puppies during their first weeks of life. Early development is incredibly important, and I want every puppy to have the very best foundation for a happy, confident life—whatever adventures may lie ahead.

A small-scale breeding programme

My breeding programme is intentionally very small and primarily driven by my own long-term breeding goals.

I only plan litters from which I hope to keep a puppy myself or place one in a trusted co-owner home as part of my future breeding programme. Fortunately, there are usually also puppies available for wonderful companion homes.

For me, every puppy is first and foremost a family member. I expect my puppies to live as part of the family, surrounded by love, clear boundaries and an active lifestyle. I naturally hope they will have opportunities to participate in dog sports if their health and individual qualities make that appropriate, and I use breeding dogs that show promising working ability.

What I hope from my puppy owners

Raising a puppy requires both time and commitment. The first months of life lay the foundation for everything that follows, so I hope new owners have the resources to invest in training, socialisation and helping their puppy learn about the world.

I also ask that all Aysling puppies undergo official health examinations as adults. At a minimum, this includes hip, elbow, eye and patella examinations, and I greatly appreciate owners who also choose to have the spine examined and the heart auscultated.

Maintaining contact with my puppy owners is very important to me. I genuinely enjoy following my puppies throughout their lives and hope to receive updates, whether they are about everyday life, training, competitions or simply growing older together.

I do not keep a traditional waiting list or reserve puppies before they are born. Instead, I prefer to watch each litter develop and carefully consider which puppy is best suited to which home.

Interested in an Aysling puppy?

If you think an Aysling puppy might be the right addition to your family, I would be delighted to hear from you. Please tell me a little about yourself, the kind of home you can offer and what you are looking for in your future companion.

You can also read more about my breeding philosophy and principles using the links below.

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I completed the Finnish Kennel Club’s Breeder Foundation Course in 2017, and the kennel name Aysling was officially granted in 2018.