Francini’s English Cocker Spaniels
Interview with Mrs. Angela Francini • Interviewed by Jovana Danilovic
Published in Best in Show Annual 2016
BIS: First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. You have bred healthy and typey English Cocker Spaniels for generations now. How did you get started with English Cockers and why?
A.F.: I started in 1991 but my Father and my Mother bred English Cockers as of 1967.
BIS: Which dog do you consider the foundation of your own breeding program?
A.F.: Many dogs I consider as foundation dogs in my breeding program so I cannot choose only one or two.
BIS: What do you consider your greatest achievement in breeding?
A.F.: I have all my dogs tested for Hip displasia, sleeping patella, oculistic official control, DNA test for nepropathy familiar and progressive retinal atrophy.
BIS: What do you consider your greatest achievement in showing?
A.F.: I do believe one of the most winning dog bred by me is Francini’s Day By Day who was Top dog in England.
BIS: How many dogs do you have at home (living with you) and how many you co-own? How many litters approximately you have a year?
A.F.: We have 20 litters in one year and 50 dogs, many of them, obviously are old.
BIS: Please mention 2 or 3 English Cockers which are not owned, bred or shown by yourself, that you particularly admired, and tell us what you most admired about each.
A.F.: In the past 2 blue out French Kennel, Du Plates De Chambles and now one nice blue from Glowill Kennel and some from Kyna Kennel in particolour and in solid one red, Claramand Code Red owned by Yvonne Heinze (D).
BIS: How important was cooperation between breeders through the time?
A.F.: Cooperation between breeders is the most important thing to work well in every breed, exchange information on the heath problems and understand which dog is the right reproductor.
BIS: Did you have a mentor when you got started? And do you mentor someone at the moment?
A.F.: My Father started to breed in 1967 and now I keep in mind his every word. Franca Simondetti too (Delle Grandes Murailles) was a great friend and gave me great help. Personally I am always avalaible for any person who would like to ask me for some suggestions.
BIS: Tell us please the main characteristic you admire in the breed? What are your goals in the breeding program?
A.F.: This breed is great, full of temperament, happiness and sweetness and they are strong dogs.
My goals in breeding program? The biggest goals in my breeding program I think is to breed dogs in type and all tested for PRA and familiar nefropathy with a DNA test, oculistic control, hip and sleeping patella displasy.
BIS: In which ways has the breed changed over the time since you first got involved with the breed?
A.F.: I think now the breed is improved in temperament and health
BIS: How do you define “type”?
A.F.: For the “type” I would say it is the best attinence to the standard.
BIS: Every breed has some common problems. Which is the most common problem in your variety seen from a breeder’s point of view?
A.F.: English Cockers have the main problem in solid temperament and hip and sleeping patella displasy.
BIS: In order, name few traits you look for in the ring.
A.F.: That for sure would be top line, temperament and head.
BIS: What, if anything, do you feel non-breeder judges get wrong about the breed?
A.F.: The specialist Judges look more at type but sometimes the opinion of non-breeder Judges can help for look for some problems that we forget while we pay more attention to type. However many times some Judges think about the English Cocker like an American but his exageration is not typical in our breed.
BIS: If you were in charge of everything regarding the dog shows what change would you make first?
A.F.: Start earlier with the main ring.
BIS: What would be the most important single piece of advice you would give to all serious young breeders?
A.F.: Look to health! Now we have all the things weneed to maintain the breed in good health!
