Question
In response to the gentleman from Maine who would like to have a closer working pointing dog that retrieves, I'd like to point out that Mr. Duffy misinterpreted your question. So let me throw in my two cents' worth. My interpretation of what the Maine man wanted is a breed that will range 25 to 30 yards away and stop to wait for you to catch up if he thinks you're falling behind.

Even though Mr. Duffy correctly notes that Brittanys are a very good choice as a hunting companion and make good house pets, I feel this is the perfect opportunity to promote my favorite breed, the Italian Spinone.

This will be my second year hunting alongside my Spinone. The more we hunt together, the more he impresses me. What seems to be a laid-back house pet turns into a methodical hunting machine in the woods.

You may mistakenly think he is clumsy around the homestead until you see him slither gracefully through the bramble and thicket. Slow -- not! He has a long gait that covers a large area in a short period of time. His big, bulbous nose brings him to his prey every time.

As much as I love reading Gun Dog, my biggest complaint is that it constantly revolves around the same handful of breeds: Labs, shorthairs, Brits, pointers and goldens. Once in a while you might read about a wirehaired pointing griffon, which is close, but it's not a Spinone.

There is nothing wrong with the other breeds. Believe me, I'm an animal lover and think they are all exceptional hunters. But why not a Spinone? And why not in this case with the man from Maine?

It makes perfect sense to me! A close-working pointer that retrieves with a soft mouth and a great temperament. My Spinone works fine in upstate New York. I'm sure a Spinone would do fine in Maine.

According to the dog book I have, "No one has ever been bitten by a Spinone." So, Gun Dog, do more articles on Spinones so people know what great hunting companions they can be.
--New York

Answer
I'm more than happy to aid in the promotion of your favorite hunting breed and appreciate very much your including sources for obtaining info because, quite candidly, I don't know enough about the Spinone to give advice and risk being horribly wrong about the breed. You advise contacting the Spinone Club of America, P.O. Box 307, Warsaw, VA 22572 or checking the web at www.SCOA.org if readers buying your sales pitch want to follow up.

If that takes care of what interests you, you may want to stop reading at this point. But I do owe it to readers who take umbrage and, while appreciating your enthusiasm about the breed, may well be asking, "With friends like this, do Spinoni need enemies?" You lay yourself open to being judged more theoretical than practical and experienced.