Trine H. Løken
Fagervikvn. 6
2408 Elverum
Norway

Mail: kennel@apricotdressed.no
or trine.h.loken@ostlendingen.no
Me and my family

I am born in 1965, and grew up and live in Elverum, Norway. I have had animals since I was a little girl, first the family dog, then horses and now dogs. I have had a Doberman, and lived and trained with a German Shepard Dog. Since 1989 I have had Standard Poodles, and in 1998 I also got Leonberger.
I have worked on kennels, animal shelters and I have also worked as an animal nurse, a job I really liked. Now I work as a journalist. A job I really love.
Together with my son Jarle I have a house with a big fenced yard were people and dogs can stay and go wherever they want to all the time. 
My son Jarle was born in 1989, and he is the best thing that has happened to me! He helps a lot with the dogs, and it is a joy to see him and the dogs together. Whether they are playing or cuddling in bed! Now (in 2010) Jarle is an adult and I still love him and is as proud of him as I have always been! He still has sports as a hobby (mainly weight lifting), he does som modelling, is trained and work as a carpenter - and has the same love for the dogs as earlier!

My own dogs

In 1989, when I had to buy a new dog (after the death of my beloved Louis Doberman), I chose a Standard Poodle. Mainly because they don't shed, so most allergic people can have them (my sons father is allergic). Luckily my son didn't become allergic, but the Poodle was already in our house, and I began to adore this hairy creature! It was an apricot male, called Suddenly An Apricot Impact "Alf" (after the series Alf Gordon from Melmac). I trained Alf in FNL/NRH (Norwegian Search and Rescue Dogs), and before he was two years old he got his B-approval and was ready for his final A-approval! As a working dog the Standard Poodle has many qualities; it has a light weight despite its size, it is a very good jumper, it loves to run, loves to work and have a positive attitude, and finally it is an easy learner.
I also showed Alf, and as a puppy and a youngster he did really well. But as an adult I stopped showing him because it was to much job both to have his as a search and rescue dog and a show dog. But Alf was bred to N.Ch Play With Fire "Sarah", and from that combination I kept a very good apricot female pup. I was also so lucky as to get the opportunity to buy the female Alf had sired, and with that I founded Kennel Apricot Dressed!

Now (2001) we are housing four Standard Poodles; Alf (Suddenly An Apricot Impact), Sarah (N.Ch Play With Fire), Atlanta (daughter of Alf and Sarah) and Brandy (son of Alf). Alf and Sarah are living good old days here with us. Atlanta is spending her good old days with another family. Brandy is part-owned by a good friend of mine.
Two females after N.Ch, NW-95 Zelante's Harley Davidson and Sarah, and after N.S.Ch, NW-97 Northern-Stars Mr. Handsome and Atlanta, are on breeding-agreements with two other families.

We also have Leonberger. A big watch- work- and companion dog, witch has taken my hearth with storm (firstly a little against my will!). Summer-01 we got/kept a second Leonberger. That is a pup from my beloved Tjorven (below, right). That puppy is now (in 2007) an grown male we call Apricot Dressed First N Foremost "Laffen" (below, left and in middle). He is in every way the most wonderful Leonberger I can imagine. With his beautiful looks and stabile mentality, I find it an honor to say he is mine! Hopefully he will continue my leo-lines - with all the joy it brings.

Now, in 2010, I have two leos; my male Laffen and my female Kikki (she will be bred this autumn or winter) - and hopefully I will soon have another leo here as well! I also have plans for a litter. Bottom line; I am very exighted about what the future will bring - but mostly I know that it will still bring lots of leo-love!
30. August my dear and highly beloves Laffen took his last breath, lying i my lap. My sorrow is greater than I can explain - but all he thought me, and all he was and gave, will live on forever!

With my entire hearth I love my dogs, and in my breeding program I strive to achieve "Quality inside and out!"

For me it is important that a Leonberger has a great head, a powerful and strong body and strong bone strain with parallel movements.
A Leonberger should in my opinion not be tall and slender - it should be elegant, but also large, powerful and compact.
The best possible physical and mental health is a matter of course that one should never compromise on. For when it comes down to it, it is the most important.

Leos with impact

The first leonberger I fell in love with (besides my own, of course!), was Blue Town Jr Aramisson (below, left). I saw him in the show ring several times, and I was totally blown away with his strong, well-buildt sihouette and wonderful, paralell bone and movement. (Linebred on Lejonlands Don-Leo, which also lies behind my Laffen.) Zeldas Fox On the Run (below, right) and his father Remröds the Christmas Song (below, middle) also made a big impression on me - with their super strong bodies and bone, stunning heads and warm colors! The latter is behind my Kikki, both on the mother- and father side. Another leo, that kissed his way into my hearth, was Terr-Leons Magnus Barfot. Very pretty, lovely color and so sweet! During the years I have seen other leos as well, that truly are wonderful - so this list is by far not complete, it is just the -first- leos that made an impact on me!

Quote: Dogs never lie about love!