About Kennel
In total, there are 17 dogs in our kennel, including 5 veterans. At the beginning of 2024, 4 females and 5 males are involved in breeding. Our philosophy as a family kennel does not allow us to keep an infinite number of dogs. Every dog requires attention, careful grooming, and regular walks.
We live in a private building with large yards in the countryside, not far from the capital of Ukraine, Kiev.
This location allows us to have plenty of space for happy living with all our dogs, as well as close access to the best veterinary services.
Our dogs live in our homes and, from a very young age, have constant access to a yard specially organized for their comfort and safety. We take daily walks in the fields, garden, and forest behind our fence. For essential socialization, we also take our dogs to the city for walks in parks and crowded streets.
Our dogs have the opportunity to go for a walk 24 hours a day, thanks to doors specially adapted for them to access a prepared area. Boys and girls, as well as mothers with puppies and older puppies, always have their own separate space for this.
Our Italian Greyhounds are on a mixed diet, primarily consisting of specially prepared meat and vegetable mixtures. They also partially consume dry food, fruits, and dairy products.
We all want to feel companionship and a deep relationship with each dog, so we deliberately limit ourselves from constantly keeping new pets every year. This is quite difficult because the quality of dogs is growing every year. However, we are a family, and our goal is first and foremost love and care, not making money and producing too many puppies.
We have puppies 4-5 times a year, most often in the spring and summer. However, we sometimes plan several litters for the fall, especially if we plan trips to exhibitions. We do not employ outsiders; we take care of the dogs ourselves.
I always write “we” because this is Me ( MIlena), my husband Sergei and my youngest daughter Lisa. We are a real team.
Our Vision
Our vision of the Italian Greyhound is a graceful, noble companion dog. We focus on qualities that make IGs successful show dogs as well as pleasant companions. The main qualities we breed for are an elegant breed type with correct anatomy and typical movements, a cheerful, easy-going temperament with a strong psyche, and excellent health.
Breeding for Excellence
Show success is what we are breeding for, but show qualities are not the only important aspect for us! Qualities required for companion dogs are equally important. We don't share the opinion that any dog can automatically be a pleasant companion. A good companion dog is also the result of careful breeding!
Human-Oriented
They should be very human-oriented, enjoy being touched, playing, exploring new places, and following their owner everywhere.
Excellent health
They should have excellent health; ideally, owners should visit the veterinarian only for annual health checks and vaccinations.
Versatile Diet
They have a good appetite and are not fastidious about food, so you can feed them any quality dog food, offer them different meats, vegetables, and cottage cheese, and have no problems with digestion or allergies.
Smart and Trainable
They are smart and easily learn how to live with you and what you expect from them. They quickly learn potty training and good manners at home and in public places.
Calm and Independent
They are self-sufficient and therefore don't panic when staying at home alone.
Our Dogs are Our Family
Their health and mood are as important as our own. Each of our dogs is a unique personality with its own character and habits. We care for our dogs as if they are our own children. When passing our puppies to new owners, we provide full support and consultations on how to care for, handle, and raise an Italian Greyhound.
The Aim of Our Breeding
Our goal is to build a correct, balanced, and sustainable type of Italian Greyhound that contributes to the breed's development and implements our vision. We prefer to breed healthy, cheerful, bright, and excellent-moving dogs. We work with proven and healthy lines that are among the best in the world and are passionate about genetics, breeding, and selection. All dogs in our breeding program undergo health and genetic tests. While we consider coat color and its clarity, our primary focus is on health, ideal lines, proportions, and overall harmony of the psyche. We will never breed for a trendy color.
Own Line
From the very beginning, we started building our own line of dogs to achieve a strong type of elegant, well-moving dogs with smooth lines. We have a complex breeding program planned for many years ahead, carefully planning each litter and considering keeping some puppies either in the kennel or in close proximity. We do not produce a litter unless we see potential in the puppies from that combination. Breeding work is complex and unpredictable, bringing success and true pleasure only to those who are truly dedicated. We are always striving for perfection with every step.
Our Italian Greyhounds Kennel's History
2010
First Dog
The history of our kennel began in 2010 when it was officially registered with the FCI. Our first Italian Greyhound was Carevna Budur Golden Queen (Arisha). She was bought in 2009 as a puppy for love, without plans for breeding or showing. Arisha grew very elegant, with correct anatomy, and had good health. In December 2009, we decided to take the first steps at an international exhibition with Arisha. To everybody's surprise, Arisha was the best puppy of the breed at the specialty show in Kiev, competing under the Italian expert. Arisha received the titles of Champion of Moldova and Ukraine, won the title of Best of Breed in Ukraine, and was used in breeding from 2011 to 2013. In Arisha's genetic line, there are mostly Ukrainian and Polish dogs.
2012
First Triumphs
Arisha's son from the first litter, Arnero Sunnymoon Place, was the first award-winning Italian Greyhound bred at Sunnymoon Place, our first International Champion, winner of BEST IN SHOW, and reserve class winner at Euro Sighthound 2013 and World Dog Show 2013.
2013
Beginning of dedicated breeding
After a year of deliberation, successes, and failures, it was time to understand our vision and goals. In October 2010, from one of the most famous European kennels, our gorgeous Eledi Grace Alpina came to us - who became the founder of our serious breeding activities. In October 2012, we imported another Italian Greyhound from Europe - Eledi Grace Fendi Fornarina. Fendi has grown into an elegant female, 35 cm in height, with correct anatomy, typical movements, and a strong psyche. These two females completely changed our original idea of the Italian Greyhound, and with them, our kennel found its breeding direction. Due to the quality of their offspring, both girls received prestigious titles - PROCREATOR OF CHAMPIONS - the first and, for now, the only IGs in Ukraine.
2014
Start of kennel's line
In 2014, the long-awaited arrival of our puppies: Everdeen and Emerald from Alpina, and Desmonda and Dallas from Fendi. They are our first generation, and from these puppies, we began to build our kennel's line. All these dogs became International Champions, winning their titles at prestigious European shows in strong competition! They won many champion titles and successfully promoted our kennel's name in Europe. From this time, we reached a new level of breeding and showing.
2016
Res. Best in Show Kennel at the Main Dog Show of Ukraine
In 2016, we presented our Breeding Group (Dallas, Desmonda, and Kassiopea) for the first time at the Main Dog Show of Ukraine, and we won Res. BEST IN SHOW KENNEL! That year, our dogs were winning BEST OF BREED at most of the dog shows we participated in across Ukraine and Europe. The main show star of 2015-2016 was Dallas Sunnymoon Place, who won Group X at the prestigious Main Dog Shows of Ukraine 5 times during his show career.
2017
One More Outcross Male in Our Breeding Program
In 2017, we brought in one more outcross male from Poland to participate in our breeding program: Keep Winning for Sunnymoon z Koloseum. From the first matings in our kennel, it was clear that Winnie gave us even more than we expected. He became our beloved producer. His offspring, from their very first shows, followed the BIS-winning style of their father. Among their most significant wins are: 2 x BISS at Sighthound Specialty, Best Junior at the Austrian Winner Show within the frame of EDS, and BIS II at the Main Dog Show of Ukraine.
2020
The Most Winning Ukrainian Kennel!
From 2016 to 2020, we participated in many shows in Ukraine and Europe. Our dogs won Best of Breed titles at the majority of shows they participated in. For eight years in a row, our dogs have been the top Italian Greyhounds and top in Group 10 in Ukraine! In fact, our dogs are the most titled Italian Greyhounds in Ukraine. They have champion titles in countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Belarus, Moldova, and of course, Ukraine. Our graduates living in other kennels around the world have also won championship titles in countries such as the USA, Ireland, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Hungary, Russia, and Belarus.
2021
New times are not always easy, but they are times of development.
Since 2021, a new generation has come to the fore. Littermates Da'Lilla and De'Lungo successfully represent our kennel at the main exhibitions in the country and Europe. In 2022, with the beginning of wartime in our country, the conditions for breeding dogs became more difficult, and exhibitions were temporarily not held. But this did not stop our desire and opportunity to develop. We did not waste time despite the cramped conditions. New import producers, Olly and Cupido, along with our beloved Lungo, have improved many of the shortcomings of previous generations. The beautiful heads and the shape of the ears were strengthened, and the bones undoubtedly became stronger! In 2023, we were renewed with a completely new generation! Four juniors will enter the show rings this season!
2024
THE NEW OLD RULES!
2024 brings new old rules! We slightly changed the concept of the kennel, re-understanding our initially accepted line of development. At the very beginning of our creation, our kennel did not envisage global breeding of puppies and a huge number of matings and the transformation of a family kennel into a business, for the sake of business. I personally must admit this and be honest with yourselves. Quality, not quantity! I personally had to learn and experience this serious and painful lesson!The most important goal that I have seen and see for myself is to have fun with my dogs and their puppies! Dogs are not a business, and this is not a zoo! This is a family! Perhaps we will not win expansively at all exhibitions in the world, we are not going to prove our importance to anyone! Living through the war in our country, you begin to understand the value of every day, the love of every ponytail is happiness! The quality of puppies and the quality of life of dogs with us in the family always remains our top priority!