Origin
The origins of the Finnish glider can be traced back to noted ski-jumper, Markku Krazinnen.
Markku was accompanied everywhere by his faithful dog Mitski, a medium-sized dog of indiscriminate breed, who had unusually loose skin.
Everyday Mitski would follow Markku to the ski jump for his practice. On one particular morning, Mitski ventured onto the top of the slope, and unable to get a grip on the slippery surface, began to slide down.
Mitski built up considerable speed, and upon reaching the end of the slope, became the first dog to launch themself off a ski jump. Now airborne, the loose skin between Mitski’s legs and body got filled out by the wind to form a kind of wing, similar to that observed in flying squirrels. Moments after the start of this pioneering fight, Mitski successfully landed, although unfortunately there were no judges around to award her a score for either technical excellence or artistic merit.
Fascinated by the potential of creating the word’s first flying canine, Krazinnen dedicated the rest of his life to creating the breed.
Quirks of the breed
A remarkably agile dog, the Finnish glider has been known to climb to the top of lamp posts outside butcherss shops, so as to gain a good view of any potential sausages to snaffle. Upon sighting the salami, the dog then swoops down to seize its prey.
Notable owners include the pioneering aviatrix Betty De Havilland who was accompanied by her dog Roger on her trans-Himalayan flight.
What’s next?
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