Italy

Reported by Elaine Narduzzo (WESST Cockers)
Photo for this section of: Candida's Satin Shadow

Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (ENCI) is the national organization of dog loving people here in Italy. This organization is part of the FCI and it is responsible for everything related to purebred dog sports and breeding. ENCI decides on shows, their dates and judges; on field trials, on agility competitions and various hunting trials. It also is responsible for coordinating training programs for judges and ring stewards. This organization determines breed standard modifications for Italian and non Italian breeds and is responsible for registering breeders and the legislation regulating dog breeding.

ENCI headquarters are in Milan. It is supported by its delegations found in each Italian province.

These delegations, called Gruppi Cinofili, do the day to day work: registration and rules on imported dogs, identification and Italian pedigree with the specific Libro delle Origini Italiane number. The delegation is responsible for ENCI supported dog shows and events.

There are individual Breed Clubs for most of 400 plus breeds recognized by the FCI. American Cockers are in the Club Italiano Spaniel along with English, Clumber, Sussex, American Water Spaniels. The Springer Spaniel has its own club.

Breed clubs organize Club shows called Raduni and Specials. The judges at these shows are proposed by the breed club and approved by ENCI. A First place in the open class at two of these shows is necessary to become an Italian Champion along with 2 CCs from national shows and 2 CACIBs all from international shows all in the open class or in the Champion class.

In Italy, there are different types of shows: local shows are called regionali and are for beginners that do not award any CCs for the championship. Nazionali shows are where certificates are awarded. The internazionali are usually held indoors and draw many entries, usually from other countries. There are at least three international shows held every month throughout Italy, located mainly in the north.

Judges are required to give each dog shown, a written critique and a judgement that goes from Eccellente to Molto Buono (very good), Buono (good), and Abbastanza Buono (almost good). In order for a dog to be allowed for breeding, it must receive a minimum of a very good judgement. The categories are:

Junior:6-9 months (no certificates).

Young: 9-18 months (no certificates).

Open: over 12 months.

Champion: Italian Champion.

Veteran: over 7 years.

Entering a show requires a dog must be tattooed or microchipped, and must have proof of rabies vaccination done at least one month prior to the show. Each entry has a qualifications book where all judgements are registered. When you have the number of CCs Cacibs and Specials required, you must photocopy your qualifications book and send in the request for the championship to the ENCI headquarters.

Right now health issues are seriously considered as breeding stock but nothing is mandatory yet. Hip and elbow dysplasia examinations are the only test results that appear on a dog's pedigree. Eye tests are not required for breeding stock but indications suggest this is changing. Another change expected is DNA registry of breeding stock and litters, but the ENCI is not positioned to do this now.