​I have been involved with dogs for many years, starting at the age of 13 when I had a weekend job at a local show/breeding kennels, working with the renowned Wellknowe Bearded Collies and Cartmel Portuguese Water Dogs. 

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When I left school (I couldn't leave quick enough) I carried on working full time at the kennels, and then went on to work in a boarding kennels for a few years as well.

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​I got my first Italian Spinone, Sophie when I was 16 and have owned the breed ever since, having had six over the years. 

​My own dogs are my pets but I have shown some of them successfully at open and championship level under the Sophalba affix. "Napa" (Show Champion Kevardhu Newl with Sophalba ShCM) was top Spinone dog in the UK in 2005.  His son "Rico" (Javal All That Jazz with Sophalba) also played a part in our success winning a CC himself. 

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I am out of the show ring at the moment as Napa is now 11 and retired and sadly we lost Rico this year at the tender of 8 to cancer. So the current "Sophalba" gang are Napa and his very naughty son "Ducca" (Darrowdale Delinquent with Sophalba) who is now 5 years old and does his best to live up to his registered name!

Dogs are not my whole life but are a pretty large part of it.

Abby xx