Puppies – Mentoring – Visitors by Appointment

At del Mare Spinone, we strive to produce healthy, sound Spinone Italiano for Show, Field, Performance and Companionship.

Am Can Ch. Stella Marina da Grazia JH (Stella) joined our family in 2004, coming from da Grazia kennels in Michigan. From the start, she was the opposite to Breezy — full of mischief, a very spirited girl! As a puppy we called her the Land Shark because of her habit of joyfully tearing around the house with her mouth open, hoping to snag a pant leg or a hand as she dashed by, just for fun. She was very outgoing, and loved everyone she met. Stella has settled down nicely over the years, but she remains very energetic, which means her training can be challenging and at the same time rewarding. A typical thinking spinone, Stella needs to know why something is being asked of her, and then she is more than happy to comply.

Stella has been a fun show dog because of her energetic and cheerful attitude. She was Reserve Winners Bitch at the Spinone Club of America national specialty in 2006, and finished her championship with a 5-point major the next weekend at the Licking River Kennel Club show in Columbus, Ohio. I still show her occasionally for fun, but she is not JUST a pretty face... Stella is extremely driven in the field, and actually prefers being there to the show ring. She received her Junior Hunter title in Sept. 2007. I am starting obedience work with Stella now and hope to start competing in that arena soon.

I bred Stella in Dec. 2008 (see Litters) and on Feb. 16, 2009 she delivered 9 beautiful puppies. She was an excellent mom, and her puppies appear to have inherited her outgoing and sweet temperament. I kept one puppy from the litter (Monday) and the rest went to wonderful homes, where I hope they will continue in Stella's footsteps as excellent hunting companions, talented show dogs, and superb couch and bed warmers.

Health Information: OFA Hips: Good (SI-623G24F-PI) OFA Elbows: Normal (SI-EL143F24-PI) OFA Heart: Normal (SI-CA45/24F/C-PI) Thyroid: Normal (Aug. 2008, Michigan State Univ.) CERF SPI-460/2008 (Jan. 2008) CA Clear (CA220)