Biography

Leeza as a judge

Currently judging sweeps/sanction matches, and working towards CKC herding permit

Leeza Friedman-Prokopishyn has been breeding and exhibiting Finnish Lapphunds under the Bearspaw prefix since 2004. Over the years, Bearspaw has worked towards creating and maintaining a sustainable breed population through international collaboration, importing, and exporting DNA. In the show ring, Leeza has bred, owned, and/or shown Finnish Lapphunds winning CKC and/or Finnish BIS, NBISS, and FCI World Winner titles, major wins at Westminster and Eukanuba in the US. Over 40 Bearspaw bred, co-bred, shown, owned, and co-owned dogs have earned champion titles in Canada, US, Finland, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. Bearspaw Lappies have also demonstrated versitility in rally-o, agility, herding, therapy, sprinters, dog dancing, and trick dog. Leeza is a lifetime member of Lappalaiskoirat ry (The Lapphund Club of Finland). Leeza has a love for all dogs, in particular, a passion for spitz and other primitive (FCI group 5) breeds. She is a member of The Finnish Lapphund Club of Canada and the SFLS.

Leeza has had the opportunity to travel to shows in other countries including Crufts (UK), Westminster (US), The World Dog Show, Helsinki Winners, Finnish Winners, and Nordic Winners. She likes learning about breed differences in various countries, rare breeds, and watching large entries of all breeds when possible.

She has spent time visiting a reindeer farm in Finnish Lappland, to further her knowledge about reindeer husbandry and the Lappish breeds. Lastly, she has spent time in arctic climates, learning about arctic climate working dogs in Finland, Sweden, and Norway. She is generally interested in understanding breed origin, purpose, and development for all dog breeds.

Leeza was born in New Jersey, US, and immigrated to Canada. In her childhood, Leeza had numerous companion miniature schnauzers.