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Who are we? We are Dan Koon and Lane Conrad, married, both in dogs all our lives. Lane is a veterinary technician and dog groomer. Dan is the father of Justis & Radigan, a chef and has raised and trained horses and dogs all his life. He runs the family ranch, supervises the boarding/breeding operation and handles all web design. Our Bracco experience began when we met - Dan told me that he wanted to raise a rare, unspoiled breed, and that he wanted to be the best breeder in the US. He had had Rottweilers in the '70's, and watched them become slowly ruined by the popularity caused by AKC recognition. In 2000 we were lucky enough to find Di Ala D'Oro Bracchi, in the Netherlands. Tina Steffens and Jaap Muller recognized our commitment to breeding carefully and well, and allowed us to have Dino, our foundation male. Jaap then went to Italy and got Alba, our foundation female for us. Since that time we have gone to Holland to Tina and Jaap's Family Day, where all the Bracchi they have bred come back to meet each other and their owners. We also attended a wonderful judges' seminar, which taught numerous European judges the finer points of judging the Bracco.We had our first litter, by Dino and out of Alba, in 2002. Both dogs were tested for hip dysplasia and eye problems, and were certified as healthy, before we bred. We found wonderful homes for the puppies. Over the next several years we've had 3 more litters - most of which have been placed in hunting homes all over the US, (although we don't ship our puppies.) In 2005, we were lucky enough, with Tina and Jaap's help, to get a puppy from Gianpaolo Poggio. Mr. Poggio owns Rivana, argueably the most winning bitch in the history of the breed. Astor (aka Draco) is a wonderful dog, - a hunting fool - and sired our 2006 litters - out of Alba's litter, we kept Giana. This was Alba's last litter. In April, 2007, Dan went to Italy and had a wonderful experience meeting several breeders, attending a raduno (combination conformation/field show) and going to field training sessions. He learned more about the Italian ways and traditions of working the Bracco, and became even more dedicated to promoting these in the US. He brought home two puppies. Dixie came from Maurizio Sodini, and Apollo came from Mateo Tori. Both puppies are extremely birdy and are of beautiful quality. Apollo's sire and dam both became champions in the World Dog Show, 2007.
Our general philosophy about dog breeding is this:
We feel it is our responsibility to continue what the Italians have done so well for more than 500 years. They have consistently produced a birdy, intelligent, healthy driven dog, and are dedicated to continuing. In the US, when a pure breed becomes popular, a parent club is formed. In the beginning, the breed's original purpose (i.e. hunting) is the main focus. Slowly, there is more arguing about the focus of the breed - and since conformation showing is so important to so many people, AKC recognition is desired by some in the original "parent" club. The breed then becomes widely known and backyard breeders take over, with little or no regard for health or quality, let alone the original reason for the breed.
We stand for continuing hunting the Bracco, just the way the Italians have done. We want to breed healthy, happy, intelligent Braccos, and will try, as much as we can, to place them with hunting families. We do not want AKC recognition, and feel that we can do very well without that questionable umbrella. We feel that NAVHDA (National Versatile Hunting Dog Association) is a wonderful asset that Bracco owners should introduce themselves to.
If you own a Bracco Italiano please stop by our GUESTMAP and place your pin then leave a short note about yourself If you own a Bracco Italiano or not please feel free to sign our guest book Where are we located?
We are located on Route 141, 12 miles south of the intersection of Routes 141 and 145, between mile marker 45 and 44. Look for the first group of buildings in the entire 12 miles (!) on the left; our grey barn says
Wash-n-WatchDogs .
Get off the highway onto the access road and park in our driveway on the left. Across the street is the Basin Store. Come in the yard through the teal green yard gate. We are 60 miles SW of Telluride, 30 miles SW of Norwood and 14 miles S of Naturita.
Dan Koon 970 729 1281
Lane Conrad 970 729 3243
P.O. Box 142 Redvale, Colorado 81431
Home 970-864-7626
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