Fiorella Mathis and her "RED &
WHITE"
by Stefano Vitale Brovarone and
the courtesy of "Editoriale Olimpia"
Usually we consider a "personage"
a dog "person" who differs from the others for a significant
reason that will bring him or her to reach difficult and special
goals. This brief introduction explains the choice to speak of Fiorella
Mathis, known to many in the show rings of almost all Europe for
her dogs and not only in show rings as you will later read. Born
in Palermo(Sicily) in a dog loving family, in the country villa
of her parents her first dog that she remembers is a Tom who looks
a lot like a pointer. The picture of Tom she still carries in her
diary, even after almost 50 years. A cocker spaniel (Tabù)
and Big a german shepperd are next in her memories. The first dog
that she really owns ia s cocker spaniel (Dax) that she buys in
the States where she moves ,still in her teens, to study and then
work. The wish to be alway close to a dog is a constant thought,
but she has not yet plunged in the "dog world" , The first
symptoms of this bug will be clear when she buys the first dog….
for her 3 girls: a dalmatian. It will be soon followed by another
dalmatian: a bitch.. It is clear now that this was the beginning
of this terrible "dog bug" that will bring her to start
breeding and have her affix "United Spots" in Switzerland
where the all family had moved at that stage.
The first successes
in the ring will follow shortly with the Dalmatians, but for Fiorella
it is not enough. She starts dreaming of an Irish Setter and, after
attending Crufts' for 2 years, she decides that the Irish Red &
White Setter, is her dream come true. She then buys her first bitch
"Autumnwood Silver Rose" soon followed by another bitch
"Liric Lovematch" and "Ruemadra Snow King":
the dog. The most important and exclusive championships are soon
achieved;World Champion, Italian, International, European, French
and Swiss.
But the most extraordinary
thing is that even if she is not a hunter she still recognize the
right for this breed to hunt and to participate in field trials
under the guidance of an experienced trainer, gaining enough rewards
for such an unknown breed.
The youngsters are also trained and are full of promises. They are
fast and agile and can hunt without any problem. So the breeding
and selection of these dogs continues in the right way; they win
in beauty shows but also run in field trials, the "good ones",
I mean those where a qualifications is prestigious.
Lady of character and a real sport,
Fiorella puts this breed ( that she fells "hers") in front
of all the others. The Irish Red & White Setter is a breed of
ancient origins but recent revival: often judged by people who cannot
know enough of the breed and with the complete indifference of the
various official Clubs. Just try to think that there is not yet
and official working standard even if the breed has been recognized
in l987. This naturally puts the field trial judges in a position
to give some very "personal" qualifications. But she fights
to make this breed known (even if in Italy she is the only breeder)
with a lot of courage and extreme sportmanship. The firmness of
purpose that Fiorella displays can appear sometimes slight aggressiveness,
but it is typical of those who defend a minority. I am sure that
she will make it and, in a few years, also this Irish Setter will
be a dog….like anyother.
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