4 January 2006

Marcello – first Italian Lagotto truffle-scenting dog in NZ

NZ Kennel Club member Robert Rangi and his family are overjoyed to welcome Marcello to their Papakowhai home, just north of Wellington.

The 12-week-old puppy is the first purebred Italian Lagotto dog in New Zealand. The breed originated in the Romagna region of northern Italy in the 1300s. Originally a water dog hunting gamebirds, the breed is now used to sniff out truffles.

Marcello has just arrived from Perth. Robert Rangi and his partner Cheryl have imported the puppy first and foremost as a family pet. “We've looked after my parents' poodle before, and decided that we really wanted a dog of our own,” said Mr Rangi. “I knew what I was looking for in a dog and I searched on the Internet.”

Using the NZ Kennel Club site www.nzkc.org.nz, he found the Italian Lagotto and then found Nuala Brown's “Nugold” kennel in Perth. Robert made arrangements for Marcello to fly here.

“The NZ Kennel Club welcomes the first of the breed into the country,” says chief executive Greg Kerr. “People can have confidence in purebred dogs. Responsible breeders seek to improve their breed. They breed puppies to the breed standard and with the characteristics of that breed. After all, that's what purebred dogs are about.

“Anybody looking to own a puppy or a dog should do their homework first. Part of that is knowing what the breed is like and what the puppy needs in exercise and companionship,” said Mr Kerr.

Robert Rangi says Marcello is settling in well to the family home. He looks forward to attending NZ Kennel Club's local member clubs, first of all for dog obedience classes and when Marcello is older to train and compete in agility.

ENDS