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| Luis Antón was born in the city of Elche, one of the bastions of the region's culture and conservatism. He was born to fulfil a destiny, because fortune shines on those who pursue it and, what is more, we all have a path to follow, the trail of our very essence.
A man who has everything, from his happy childhood in a comfortable home through to adulthood in a competitive world. In spite of it all, he still manages to find time for his passion for the imaginary world of dogs: they form an integral part of both his family life and his frenetic life as an industrialist.
From a very young age, Luis Antón has always loved and cared for his dogs. He now breeds them and enters them in hunting and beauty competitions as an escape valve from the industrial world of aircraft and computers that surrounds him.
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- Luis, all the dog breeders in Alicante province know you to be a true aficionado of pedigree dogs. When did this passion begin?
The first dog I had was a Dalmatian, given to me by a doctor when I was just ten years old.
- Which breeds do you prefer?
Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. I have never bred any other breed of dog. I have had English Cocker Spaniels, Irish Setters, German Shepherds and Great Danes. I have had so many different breeds because I truly love animals. But I was never able to relate to them completely until I discovered Golden and Labrador Retrievers. |
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- In Spain, the world of dogs and dog shows has become
an institution. What does this canine world mean to you as a "man of industry"?
Unfortunately, in the industrial world, everyone is out to make money, to fight, to deceive others for their own profit. When I'm dealing with dogs, I'm simply incapable of deceiving anyone. It is not selling shoes, where you sell ten thousand pairs to a customer and then forget all about them.
Dogs give you an entirely different kind of satisfaction. You sell dogs as well, but you watch them grow up and can keep an eye on their progress. It is a far more caring world. In short, it is a world with many ethical obligations, totally honest and unsullied. It is a living world. |
- Luis, why are you currently breeding Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers?
For their nobility, their sensitivity, their loyalty to their owners, their love and their dedication. They are dogs with clearly defined feelings.
- We all know that these breeds are not at all aggressive, but don't you think they may be a little too docile?
Their docile nature is actually one of their greatest qualities. They are always aware of what they are doing: they can sense the difference between a car and an |
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ambulance, a walking stick, an approaching child, a falling handkerchief, a mugging, another dog approaching, and so on. In fact, you could say that they are like astronauts: not everyone can become an astronaut, and not every dog can become a guide dog.
When I visited Tabarca Island for the first time, I saw a Golden Retriever and watched how he interacted with everyone there and, subsequently, I decided to study them and investigate further.
- Luis, why do you use the name Kowalski?
Because it is the brand name of the shoes that I manufacture; it is the link between my main lines of activity.
- Considering the "invasion" of English words in the world of technology, wouldn't you prefer to translate Golden Retriever into Spanish instead of always using the English name?
It's too late for that now. Anyway, people have spent thousands and thousands of hours perpetuating this particular breed. They have earned the right to choose a name and we cannot take that away from them. |
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