Annaliisa & Raili Heikkinen

We have always had dogs in our family. When I was a child my father had spitzes and hounds, as hunting was his hobby and he was a field trial judge. My first own dog was a black Cocker Spaniel bitch Melissa of Zlazano bred by Mrs. Kangassalo. Melissa's litter by the legendary INT & NORD CH Lochdene Kestila in 1969 was the first Mistyway-litter. During 1969-93 my mother and I bred 54 litters under prefix Mistyway (American Cocker Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Tibetan Spaniels and English Setters). In 1996 we purchased our first Chihuahua.

We are the only American Cocker Spaniel breeders in Finland, whose dogs have placed in The Dog of The Year Competetion (all breeds) among the Top Ten: #3 1977 INT CH Sundust Patience, #8 1980 & #1 1981 INT CH Mistyway Saucy Red Tiger and #2 1986 INT CH V-84-86-87-88 Mistyway Sinful Simon. We have also owned the top winning Tibetan Spaniel -80-81 MULTI CH Zhangri-La of Zlazano and BIS-winning Cocker Spaniel INT CH Mistyway Flashy Flirt.

We were the first American Cocker Spaniel breeders to get the Finnish Kennel Club's Vuolasvirta award. I have also been awarded the Silver Medal of Honour of the Finnish Kennel Club and the Silver Medal of Honour of the Finnish Spaniel Association. I'm Honorary Member of the Finnish American Cocker Spaniel Club. Althought I no longer breed American Cockers I'm active in the club and I'm in charge of educating and approving new judges for the breed.

I was approved to award CCs to American Cockers in January 1983. I have CC rights for these breeds