FRENCH BRITTANY GUN DOG ASSOCIATION, INC.
UKC SANCTIONED 2006 U.S. NATIONAL EPAGNEUL BRETON FIELD TRIALS
By Wallace Huey and Fred Overby, Reporters

This year's French Brittany Gun Dog Association's (FBGDA) National Level Field Trials featured both a wild bird field trial at beautiful Kolomoki Plantation near Bluffton, Georgia and a separate liberated bird trial on the designated Field Trial Grounds at Veterans Memorial State Park near Cordele, Georgia. Both trials were run on bobwhite quail, the grounds for both trials featured towering Georgia pines interspersed with open areas beneath the pine canopy. Both venues provided ideal southern bobwhite quail habitat and hunting terrain. Some of the dogs from other parts of the country had to adjust a bit to the blackberry briars native to the region, while the dogs from the south felt at home.
Judges for this year's trial were the Honorable Henri Xavier Guelou of France and the Honorable Butch Nelson of Montana. Both men have long and distinguished careers in judging major field trial stakes. Judge Guelou's appearance and participation as this year's head judge was historic for the Epagneul Breton breed in America in that no Frenchman is known to have appeared to judge his native breed in an American Field trial for about three-fourths of a century. The participants thoroughly enjoyed their interaction with Judges Guelou and Nelson, who were strict in judging, but constructive in their observations and tips to handlers. Judge Guelou teased an occasional handler by remarking on his judge's card that some dogs occasionally "helped themselves to birds", rather than standing staunchly for the shot. However, at the banquet Judge Guelou remarked that the overall quality of the dogs he watched perform was excellent in conformation and excellent in hunting ability, which he indicated "bodes well for the Epagneul Breton in this part of the world."

Liberated Bird Trial at Veterans Memorial State Park
Friday, March 3, 2006, provided a cooler day, with better scenting opportunities during most of the day for the liberated bird trial heats. Most of the dogs did have finds on the continuous course, although the cover of the ground made pointing game a challenge.
In the run in the morning, a beautiful eighteen month old female tricolor know as "Tuxedo" and handled perfectly by Mrs. Shelly Shipley of Kansas had two perfect finds and retrieves demonstrated with impeccable manners. As the young female handler came off the field with the young female dog leashed, she hugged "Tux" and bubbled with excitement. At the closing awards banquet, when the first ever National Level First Place field trial placement was awarded, Shelly and her proud husband Brett posed for photos with "Tuxedo", her trophies, the judges and Todd Kellam of the UKC.