Five questions to

Guy Spagnolo, the labrador breeder and famous judge, living in Australia. Guy judged the Stockholm Int show 2009.

1. Namn, kennelnamn, när och varför valde du att föda upp labradorer?

My name is Guy Spagnolo and my kennel prefix is Driftway Labradors. Love affair with the breed started at 9 years of age when my father bought me a black male lab for my birthday. I have been hooked ever since.

2. Vad anser du vara de viktigaste egenskaperna hos labradoren?

Obviously breed type and soundness is very important and in particular head, coat & tail, however, temperament is especially important in our breed which is why I believe our breed is so popular worldwide.

3. Nämn några hundar av din egen uppfödning som enligt dig varit betydelsefulla i ssåväl din egen som andras uppfödning?

The following are a few of the most important dogs of my breeding but in no particular order:

Ch Driftway Dusky Dreamer
Ch Driftway Statesman
Ch Driftway Sailors Lass
Ch Driftway Royal Oak
Ch Driftway Dynasty
Ch Driftway Destiny
Ch Driftway Serenade
Ch Driftway Special Envoy

4. Nämn tre andra hundar som du tycker haft stor influens i rasen.

For my breeding program the following dogs have been very influential;
Ch Longley Speak Easy (UK)
Ch Rocheby Royal Oak (UK)
Ch Balnova Malestrom (Uk)

Some dogs which I have both admired and believe have been influential for the breed are;
Rocheby Old Smokey
Ch Sandilands Tan (a dog imported from UK to Australia in the late 60's which changed the breed in this country)
Ch Sandilands My Guy
Am Ch Dickendall Arnold

5. Kan du ge ett gott råd till unga/nya uppfödare av labrador?

Firstly attach yourself to a good mentor, somebody who has a lot of knowledge & experience within the breed. Try and buy the best possible bitch or dog from a consistent and well bred family of dogs. I have always believed that a strong well bred bitch line is important.