In 1998, my mom gifted me two welsh terrier puppies, a brother and a sister. Over the next couple of years, I showed the male puppy in AKC conformation. I competed in obedience with him also. I also competed in earth dog with the female. And attended many classes in obedience and agility with them both.
In 2003, I started looking around for another breed that I could show in AKC conformation. I wanted one with a low maintenance coat. I wanted a large dog. I wanted a non-aggressive breed. I wanted a rare breed. My research led me to the Spinone Italiano. I found a dog show within a few hours of home where I could see and touch some Spinoni as well as talk to their owners. I made many phone calls. I wrote many emails. And in November of 2003, I brought home a beautiful Spinone girl puppy. She was everything I had been looking for and so much more. She touched my heart and soul and got me deeply involved in this breed.
Over the next couple of years, I spent showing my dogs in AKC conformation, at AKC hunt tests and NAVHDA hunt tests. I am also the west coast regional reporter for the Spinone Club of America.
In 2008, I finally made it to a large Spinone dog show. It was the Italian Spinone Club of Great Britain Championship show. It was a splendid time and a great education for me. I saw many lovely dogs from many breeders who have been diligently working for years on breeding beautiful dogs.
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