Welcome
to Bonario Bracchi Italiani I hope you enjoy your visit and
learn a little about my dogs.
I have been involved in the dog world for over 30 years now
and enjoy many of the canine pursuits both as a pastime and
as a competitor. My dogs have been placed in both Working
competition and Agility; all have achieved their KC Good Citizen
Gold. Their successes in the show ring can be seen on their
individual pages. On a personal level I have judged both Bracchi
and Spinoni at Championship level and award CC’s in
Spinoni. I have also judged the Gundog group at Open level.
But first and foremost I am proud to be an owner of and to
be owned by such an ancient and noble breed.
My love of animals in general and dogs in particular has always
been there, as a child I would beg to be allowed to exercise
my neighbours and friends dogs. Our first family dog was a
Boxer x Dalmatian, his name was Rebel and if ever a name suited
a dog it was him. I have also owned a Labrador, a Cocker,
a Great Dane and an Irish Wolfhound. In 1986 the first of
many Spinoni, an Abbeystag from Sheila Gray, joined us and
our kennel name Bonario was granted by the KC.
I
knew Liz and Jonathan Shaw (Sentling) through the Spins and
had admired their Bracchi. It was 1998 when I first started
looking into the breed, watching ringside and learning all
I could about Bracchi. Yes they had much in common with the
Spins but they seemed to have a bit more about them, mentally
and physically. As I enjoy other canine pursuits they seemed
to fit my ideal, an added bonus was their appearance; I still
find them one of the most beautiful breeds to watch. Having
made the decision and spoken to Liz and Jonathan I was then
to wait until 2001 for my fabulous Riley, Sentling Acquaro
at Bonario, to arrive.
Now,
in 2012, I have 6 Bracchi spanning three generations in the
house. Very sadly we lost Riley which left a big hole in the
family but his granddaughter Fionn is doing her best to fill
it and remarkably she has inherited his lovely soft expression.
I
travel to Italy as frequently as possible to see Bracchi in
their country of origin, both in the working environment and
in the show ring. My aim is to continue to learn about the
breed and its bloodlines thereby ensuring my stock retains
its working ability whilst conforming to the Italian standard.
