It was
in 1985 when I first encountered an Italian Spinone. My Aunt,
Pat Bastin (Tribart) had just bought Stowlodge Sirmione of Tribart.
I had never seen a breed like this before. She was a unique shape,
beautiful head and expression and a lovely gentle nature. Over
the next few years, I spent a lot of school holidays at Pats,
helping with the dogs and dreaming that one day I would have the
chance to breed and show dogs of my own. I visited her Italian
Import, Elda Di Bussolengo at Tribart in Quarantine, she was a
beautiful gentle dog. Over the years Pat had several beautiful
Spinoni at Lilac Cottage including two other imports owned in
partnership with Val Woodward, It CH Maia Del Rodano and Dira
Del Benaco. It was from Dira’s last litter in 1989 that
I obtained my first Spinone, Lucania Imola of Tribart. We had
so much fun together. She opened a whole new world for me, We
started to attend local open shows and she did very well, everyone
was so friendly and I really enjoyed this introduction to showing.
Lucca also turned out to be a fabulous working dog and we were
regulars on the Brocket Hall shoot. Sadly, Lucca was unsuitable
for breeding so I began to search for a suitable foundation bitch.
Gaesten Pinot Rosa Del Montecani (Tarka,) bred by Gael Stenton
joined us in 1990, she is behind all of our dogs. The Kennel Club
also granted my affix, Montecani in 1990. One more girl, Armando
Nannina (Nina) joined us in 1990.