The Breeder Tells the Story: Setter Del Baiaross

I can’t remember a single day in my life when there wasn’t an English setter around, even if just for a moment; but unlike my family members, who saw him as a true companion in his own right,I spent hours at the shelter building a special bond with them. To me, the English Setter is like family, a friend, the quintessential working and companion dog, and for all 34 years of my life, a constant presence that has been by my side all my life. It was precisely that kind of relationship, combined with a passion for the art of the hunt, that sparked in me the desire to become “enlightened dog lover”, Initially self-taught, driven by curiosity and a desire to learn more about this “Baronetto” harmonica and a feline whose languid gaze conceals a tenacity and boundless devotion.

Years went by, and I moved to Emilia-Romagna, the heartland of the breed alongside Tuscany. It was here that I began to measure myself against those “legends” whom, until then, I had only seen in the pages of the trade magazines I devoured and reread over and over.

I learned to listen and to absorb the nuances of the trade with my eyes, and I also began to measure myself against others—not only through conversation but also, and above all, out in the field.

Over time, I refined my vision of the English Setter by selecting and acquiring dogs whose performance, type, and temperament came closest to the ideal I was striving for.

I had invested considerable time and money in the bloodlines that had fascinated me since childhood because of their unique qualities. Prioritizing the physical and mental well-being of my dogs, I began with my first two litters, and it was from these that two dogs were born who, even today, have shaped my career as a breeder.

Farouk and Jericho.

I have always imagined the breeder as a composer who, with sensitivity and empathy, perceives the nuances of his animals that are invisible to the naked eye, and who, with equal “magic,” manages to bring them together to create something deeply personal—something that, while belonging to a breed, possesses its own unique identity.

In this regard, Farouk and Gerico served as a turning point because, for the first time, I had brought an idea to life—a project that, up until then, had been drifting aimlessly without a clear direction.

Since then, thanks to the help of my colleagues and friends, several dogs have earned the titles of Italian and International Working Champion, as well as Breeding Champion (which, from a zootechnical standpoint, is by far the most important); however, the most important goal will be to maintain over the years the solid foundation we have built up to this point;

“Baiaross” dogs are, in fact, perfectly healthy, trainable, and cooperative dogs that hunt not only for their own enjoyment but, above all, to have fun with their handler—a trait that, in addition to their hunting abilities, makes them excellent family pets.

Dr. R. Baiamonte

Breeder Manager for Italy Alleva

The post "The Breeder Tells All: Setter Del Baiaross" first appeared on Dog and Cat Food | Alleva .