A Tribute to the Dobermann:
A Journey of Passion and Legacy
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The Zorzi family, together with all the friends of Del Littorio Dobermann, extends heartfelt gratitude to the Creator for inspiring humanity with the vision, motivation, and guidance to develop and preserve the Dobermann breed. Dobermann’s striking beauty, remarkable working ability, and loyal temperament are gifts that bring joy, peace, and companionship into our lives.
To speak of our Dobermann is to reflect on the meaningful episodes that have shaped our family’s journey over the past thirty years. This noble breed has been a constant presence, marking real-life events with its character and spirit. Through these reflections, we recognize the profound role Dobermann has played—and continues to play—in our lives. The following pages are dedicated to the most significant milestones and the exceptional Dobermanns who have contributed to the development and success of our bloodline.
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1973: The Beginning with Izza and Zar
Our story began in 1973 with the arrival of Izza and Zar, purchased from a local breeder who had advertised in a pet magazine. Izza was a refined and elegant female, with striking coloration and a strong temperament—perhaps too strong for newcomers to the breed. Zar, a robust male with solid nerves but less refined type, complemented her well. Though neither possessed extraordinary traits, they were instrumental in sparking our passion and study of the Dobermann.
1973–1975: The First Steps in Research
We embarked on a meticulous exploration of the Italian Dobermann world, seeking bloodlines that aligned with our vision for future breeding. This led to the importation of Maia de La Morlière, a superb red female and daughter of Champion Earl von Forell. Around the same time, Hals del Verdiano, a red male of excellent structure and type, joined our family. Hals became the first Italian Dobermann to earn both SchH 1 and ZTP in Germany. His lineage traced back to World Champion Vindo de Festiano, himself a descendant of Sybel de Festiano and Scherzo des Golden, son of Elmo von Fürstenfeld.
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1976–1977: Learning from Germany and Holland
Our travels through Germany and Holland deepened our understanding of breeding techniques and bloodlines. In Holland, we formed a lasting friendship with Ferdinand and Olga Demankoe of Ferrolheim Kennel. We imported Erica vom Ferrolheim, a black female with an outstanding temperament and strong structure, though her heavy head and lack of parallelism limited her show success. Her lineage was notable, especially the breeding between Champions Jurgen von Hagenstern and Amanda von Stifthub, which produced five influential Dobermanns in one litter. Amanda, in particular, stood out for her reproductive excellence, combining the von Forell and von Ellendonk lines.
1978: A Turn Toward German Excellence
In 1978, we followed the rise of the Vom Nymphenburg Kennel, led by Fritz and Iris Krummel. Their dogs—Athos, Athene, and Atlas—earned numerous titles, establishing the kennel’s reputation. A pivotal breeding between Cora von der Brunnenstadt and Eick von Eschenhof brought together the elegance of the von Fürstenfeld line and the strength of von Forell. After several meetings with the Krummels, we reserved a male puppy from the pairing of Champion Athene von Nymphenburg and Champion Guys Hilo von Norden Stamm.
On January 26, 1978, Orpheus von Eschenhof was born into a remarkable litter of seven males and four females. Thanks to the generosity of breeder Mr. D. Müller, we were able to choose our puppy after the Krummels. One stood out immediately—his rich pigmentation, vibrant colors, and expressive face shone against the snowy backdrop. Thirteen hours later, we crossed the Brenner Pass and returned to Italy, tired but elated. That puppy, Orpheus, would go on to become a cornerstone of the Del Littorio bloodline, known for his sporting excellence and reproductive strength.
Right: Orpheus at 9 weeks old.
A Pivotal Encounter: The Influence of Bryan von Forell
My friendship with Mr. Ferdinand Demankoe, enriched by countless technical discussions on Dobermann bloodlines, led me to a defining moment in our breeding journey. One name consistently stood out: Bryan von Forell.
Equally impactful was my collaboration with Mr. Ottmar Vogel, whose deep understanding of Bryan’s lineage—being the son of his legendary stud dog Vello von Fürstenfeld—offered invaluable insight. Ottmar’s reflections helped me recognize Bryan’s pivotal role in shaping the modern Dobermann.
Through Norwegian friends, I learned of a promising litter born from Bryan and Birka, a daughter of Champion Guys Hilo von Norden Stamm. The litter was born on July 4th, near Stockholm, Sweden—an ideal opportunity for a short vacation in the breathtaking Scandinavian countryside.
The trip was transformative. Not only did I evaluate the puppies firsthand, but I also met the legendary Bryan himself. His owner, Mrs. Lilith, welcomed us warmly and allowed us to observe Bryan’s exceptional qualities up close. His presence, temperament, and structure confirmed everything I had hoped for.
We returned home inspired and excited, bringing with us two promising female puppies: Daniela and Devina von Hellegraf Stamm. These two would go on to play a vital role in the evolution of our bloodline.
Left: Bryan von Forell at 10 years old