Irina Poletaeva

Finland

Irina Poletaeva is an allrounder-judge from Finland. She got her first show dog, an Airedale Terrier  in 1973. She is a long time breeder of Miniature Schnauzers in pepper / salt, black, black / silver colours with prefix Tmavi Knir. The “Miniature Schnauzer” book published in 1999 became a result of her 20-years-long Schnauzer breeders career. She celebrated 45 years as a breeder in 2021. She was awarded Lauri Vuolasvirta Prize for the highest recognition of dog breeding for Miniature Schnauzers by the Finnish Kennel Club in 2013. Irina has been awarded a Gold decoration by the Finnish Pincher – Schnauzer Club. During these years more than 100 individual  Champions have been born in Tmavi Knir Kennel as well as World Winner and Reserve World Winners. Dogs of her breeding has won several Best in Shows at International shows and at specialty shows. Irina has a family history with German Shepherd Dog, East European Shepherd, Dobermann, Schnauzer, Giant schnauzer, Russian Black Terrier, English Cocker Spaniel, Russian Toy and Coloured Bichon and been co-breeder in those breeds.  Irina became a dog show and working trials judge in 1980. She is a special judge and teach new judges Pinschers and Schnauzers, Working breeds and Russian breeds in Finland. She also has been giving breed lectures to foreign Kennel Club’s judges. She has judged in nearly 40 different countries.