Francesco Cochetti

Italy

Born in a “dog family”.  His father was a judge and bred together with his mother Poodles with the prefix “Della Perla Grigia”. His affix “Di San Gimignano” was recognized by the Italian Kennel Club (E.N.C.I.) in the year 1984. San Gimignano is a beautiful medieval town in Toscany. At that time he bred Poodles, the lines came from England, from famous Tiopepi Kennel. He began to breed and show Chihuahuas year 1996 after marrying a Chihuahua breeder Tuula Lehtinen-Cochetti (Misty Meadow’s Chihuahuas). He breeds in small scale, together with his wife Toy Poodles too. They have bred more than 900 Champions, exported worldwide. He has also bred in the past Dobermann, Boston Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier and with his wife Papillon. They have won many Championship titles with their Chihuahuas and Poodles, including World and European Winners, English Champion and many BIS around the world. He became a judge in year 1992 and in March 2013 he became an all rounder. He is listed in Italian Kennel Club (ENCI) as a specialist in the all toy breeds and most of the terriers. He is also a teacher of these breeds to new judges.  At the moment he is the President of the Rome Kennel Club, President of the International Chihuahua Club, board member of the Italian Maltese and Bolognese Club, board member of ENCI Judges Committee. He also represents Italy to the FCI show judges commission. In the past, he has been board member of Club Cani Compagnia (Italian Toydogs Club) and the President of the Chihuahua Club (which was under Club Cani Compagnia).
He has judged all over the world, in more than 60 different countries, including Crufts, World and European Shows. He has judged BIS in the most prestigious shows around the world, including Melbourne Royal 2018 and many others and he had the honor to judge the group nine final at the European Show 2012 and at the World Shows 2018 and 2019. He has judged group three final at the European Show 2019. He has participated as a judge at the most important National specialties for Toy and Terrier breeds and Italian breeds.
He is the writer of a Chihuahua’s book, which has been translated in different languages. He has been often the lecturer for seminars organized also abroad, for Bolognese, Maltese, Chihuahua, Poodle, Jack Russell Terrier and Golden Retriever.