Kennel Minellin has a history of over 25 years. It was founded in year 1981, the same year as the Finnish Golden Retriever organisation, Golden Ring. That year Helena got her first Golden Micella Nellie (D.O.B February 18th 1981).

Both Helena and Minna have lived their life surrounded by dogs. Helena had an Airedale Terrier bitch and a Bull Terrier male before her first touch to Goldens. Minna started with Japanese Spaniels which her mother, Sinikka Valtonen, brought home.

Sinikka joined Helena’s kennel after retiring from work. These two had had dogs for over 30 years together. Beside a few dogs from Helena’s kennel Sinikka had also an own foundation bitch Lara (Reflect Lady Laramia). Unfortunately Sinikka’s life ended suddenly in year 2004 and her Golden bitch Sissi (Minellin Princess-Rose) moved to Helena’s house.

Sinikka’s daughter Minna, who had got to know Goldens through Helena, continued in her mother’s footprints. Minna’s first own Golden, Sissi’s sister Helmi (Minellin Pearl Lady-Puck), was born in year 2001. Her second one, Sofia (Finngreen Look Twice) co-owned with kennel Finngreen, came to the family in the summer of 2004, the same year as Helmi’s first litter was born. From that litter Minna owns a bitch called Alma (Minellin Casablanca) which is living elsewhere in Helsinki, Finland. Helmi’s second litter was born in December 2005 and a sweet little girl, Lumi (Minellin Snow Chocolate) stayed home. And in the middle of all these Goldens there is Hulda (Fiorenta Gianna Mandetti), a Wire-haired Dachshund.

Helena and Minna are both living in Vantaa, located in the Southern Finland, just beside the capital city, Helsinki – Minna with her dogs, her two children Maria and Miro and her husband Tom and Helena with her Goldens Sara (Minellin Brendas Sarah) & Sissi and a Pont Audemer Spaniel, Ayla.

Since the summer of 2005 kennel Minellin has had two owners, Helena and Minna. This started a new era in the kennel’s history.