W2D-016 Italian Spinone club-1.txt
Dear Members, Well its a bit rough and ready but I hope despite the obvious typographical errors you enjoy our first attempt at a Newsletter. Thank you to those who contributed and Colm for the layout and printing. I hope you will all seriously consider giving some input whether lighthearted or serious for the next edition which we hope to produce in time for the Club Show in July.

If anyone has any problems or queries re the Breed please feel free to contact any of the Officers or Committee. We will all be happy to help you in any way we can.

Many of you may not be aware that next year marks the tenth anniversary of the Irish Kennel Club's recognition of the Italian Spinone. I hope we will be able to produce a concise history of the Breed in Ireland to mark the event. In the meantime perhaps a brief outline of the bloodlines in this country would be of interest.

The first Spinone imported into Ireland from the U.K. was Stowlodge Sorrento born 29/12/'85, next was Stowlodge Serenata born 1/10/'86 and in 1988 Stowlodge Sirius born 18.1.'88. All were owned by Mr. Finn Cuthbert (Drackett). It was the two matings of Stowlodge Sirius and Stowlodge Serenata that produced the foundation stock for the Colheath and Sharpshot Spinoni along with the litter bred by Mr. J. Hawthorne in April '93.

Until the three litters born in '94 (see review of '94) there have only been two matings that introduced new bloodlines into our stock in this country. The first mating was Drackett Anika ex Colourbox Hell Oh producing the first litter to the Colheath kennel in April '93. The second mating was Mr. J. Hawthorne's Drackett Armedia exNantiderri Fit the Bill which was imported by Mr. John Wallace, producing a litter also in April '93.

In the past nine years there have only been eight litters bred in Ireland so it would be fair to say that the breed is still in its infancy here. It is therefore up to us to ensure we maintain all the finer qualities of the breed as we head into the next decade. We should be proud that over 80% of Italian Spinoni in Ireland are working gundogs and therefore truly fulfil the Dual Purpose qualities of the breed. HEATHER TIMMINS (Colheath)
