The 1980s

The wedding picture of Nord Ch Taikatassun Joiku and Int Nord Ch Neliapilan Piparminttu.

Arja started the decade by breeding her own Int Nord CH Neliapilan Piparminttu to Nord CH Taikatassun Joiku. In March 1981 the M-litter of three males and only one bitch, in the colours of black & tan and bm golden, were born. One of the males missed a testicle and another one unfortunately died at an early age. The third male gained his Fin Ch -title and even placed BIG 2nd. But the only bitchNeliapilan Merenneito "Käpy" became Int & Nord Ch with several BIG and BIS placements, and later on had three litters out of which 3 progeny became International Champions and 13 Finnish Champions!

Int & Nord Ch Neliapilan Merenneito "Käpy"

The V-litter was Piparminttu´s second litter, out of the young and fascinating SBIS Nord Ch El Miharaja Tarabush. The combination was a linebreeding to the old Scheherezade Afghans, and in March 1983 resulted in four males and three bitches - all in black with rich tan or white markings. Six of them gained at least the minimum of three CAC's for the Fin Ch -title and two of them even became International Champions. Arja kept one male (Int & Nord Ch Neliapilan Villiafgaani "Allu") herself, and one bitch (Int & Nord Ch Neliapilan Villiruusu "Ruusu") was returned to her at young age, but Ruusu didn't have any puppies for her. Nevertheless, Allu proved to be a remarkable stud dog siring five litters in several kennels. It is also his head study that is portrayed at the Neliapilan kennel logo.

Int & Nord Ch Neliapilan Villiruusu "Ruusu".

Int & Nord Ch Neliapilan Villiafgaani "Allu"

In 1984 it was time for the third generation to be born and Merenneito was bred to her double great-grandfather Nord Ch Machir. One male (bmg) and three bitches (bl/t and bmg) were born. The only male "Samu", Int & Nord Ch, NordW-85, FinW-87, KranjSg-90, WienSg-90 Neliapilan Tuli Ja Leimaus, won the Afghan of the Year competition in 1988 and gained several BIS, SBIS and BIG during his remarkable carreer. Samu was used at stud a few times but the only puppy that was born was Int & Nord Ch Neliapilan Elävä Legenda.

Int & Nord Ch, NordW-85, FinW-87, KranjSg-90, WienSg-90 Neliapilan Tuli Ja Leimaus "Samu"

The K-litter, born in 1985, was Merenneito's second litter and it was sired by Int Nord Ch Neliapilan Villiafgaani. This was the first "pure Neliapilan" litter consisting of two males and three bitches (black & tan and golden) out of whom three finished their Championships.

The young (Int Ch) Neliapilan Onnenapila "Ellu" and her father Ch Chapeau-Claque Forbidden Lover

The O-litter was to be the third and the last litter of Merenneito. Arja chose the Swedish black and tan male Ch Chapeau-Claque Forbidden Lover to be the sire, and in 1987 they produced five males and four bitches. N. Onnenapila "Ellu" was first sold to the owners of the father but she was soon returned to Arja - still as a youngster. During her exquisite show career Ellu won as many as 9 CACIB's becoming easily International Champion and along the way also FinW-90 BrnoSg-90 WienSg-90 and even World Winner-90!! The Afghan of the Year 1990 -competition she lost by one point... This litter also includes another Int Ch (Neliapilan Onnimanni) and the Finnish National Specialty BOS-winner, Fin Ch Neliapilan Onnentyttö.

Int Ch, FinW-90, BrnoSg-90, WienSg-90, WW-90 Neliapilan Onnenapila "Ellu"

In 1988 Arja got the chance to add some new blood to her lines by "borrowing" Ch Jackstraw's Kiss-Me-Quick. The father she chose to be Ellu's brother Ch Neliapilan Onnenpotku. The H-litter of three males and five bitches were born, four became Fin Ch's and one Coursing Ch. Arja placed the Int Ch PlW-92 PzSg-92 Neliapilan Hunajapupu to a foster home with a breeding agreement for two litters.

Int Ch PlW-92 PzSg-92 Neliapilan Hunajapupu