About Us
My name is Kirsti, and I live in Aurskog, a rural area about 40 minutes east of Oslo, together with my fiancé Kristian, our four Flat Coated Retrievers, three Swedish Elkhounds, and three cats. Our daily lives revolve around walks in the forest, training, and hunting with our dogs. From time to time, we also raise a litter of puppies.
The Story Behind the Name
The name Nifty Dude may seem a little unusual at first. It comes from my very first dog of my own, the Standard Poodle Bravissimo’s Nifty Dude. His name was Cisco, and he was a wonderful dog with a big personality. When it came time to choose a kennel name, I wanted to carry on a part of his legacy, and so I chose Nifty Dude.
What does Nifty Dude actually mean? It can be translated as something like “cool guy,” “stylish fellow,” or simply “nice guy” – all descriptions that suited Cisco perfectly and also fit the Flatcoat temperament and appearance very well.
I have always loved animals, especially dogs and horses. In 1988, our family finally got a dog, a Miniature Poodle named Tim. It was the summer before I turned ten, and I will never forget the feeling of finally getting my own puppy. Tim became a deeply loved member of our family. He just managed to meet Cisco before we had to say goodbye to him unexpectedly at the age of eleven.
Since then, I have shared my life with Poodles of different sizes, several Flatcoats, and in more recent years, Swedish Elkhounds. For many years horses were my main interest, but it was Cisco who truly introduced me to the world of dog training. Before long, I was completely hooked.
In 2003, I got my first Flatcoat. I fell completely in love with the breed and have never looked back. Quite simply, I feel that the Flatcoat is the perfect breed for me.
Ten years later, I had my first litter, from which I kept Swim. He became my absolute favourite. A once-in-a-lifetime dog, my dream dog – there are really no words that can fully describe how much he meant to me. His registered name was Nifty Dude I’m Awesome, and he truly lived up to it.
Swim will always be deeply missed.
Today, I am fortunate to have a son, a daughter, and a grandchild of his living with me. I also had another son whom we sadly lost in the summer of 2025.
I love training dogs. For many years I competed in obedience, before eventually moving fully into hunting training. I take part in hunting trials, working tests, and hunting with my Flatcoats, while Kristian uses the Elkhounds as bay dogs for moose hunting in his job as a wildlife manager in Nordmarka. I am also very involved in training the Elkhounds and have started competing with them in hunting trials as well. I have really enjoyed learning more about hunting with baying dogs and try to join him out in the field for a few days each autumn.
I truly appreciate everything an active life with dogs brings – long walks in the forest and wonderful nature experiences together with the dogs. During the leash law period, we regularly go on bike rides or paddling trips where the dogs can swim alongside us, and in winter I love taking them out skijoring. Mountain trips, both on foot and on skis, are among the best things I know – and the Flatcoat is perfectly suited for all of it!
In addition to having a house full of my own dogs, I have worked as a dog instructor since 2002 and run Romerike Hundeskole. Dogs have become a way of life – and I love it!
Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the breed or are interested in a puppy from a future litter!
