2008 UKC Premier Events and FBGDA Specialty Event

The ole Silver Bucket made its sixth journey to the Kalamazoo, Michigan fairgrounds for the annual four- day events hosted by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and our second annual French Brittany Gun Dog Association (FBGDA) Specialty Show.

Dog lovers from all over the United States attend the event and as in the past few years there was much attention given to our breed with many inquiries. The FBGDA is indebted to the UKC for graciously accepting our breed six years ago, allowing us to compete in UKC events across the nation. The Premier is the number one event for the UKC each year giving us an opportunity to attend and participate with our dogs, learn more about showing, showcase our breed in our specialty event, enjoy fellowship with members and dog lovers and view the many other breeds and forms of competition. It’s always exciting to attend the group competitions each day, learning about other breeds and cheering for dogs and owners that are in the ring that you have met or simply favor in competition.

The events began on Thursday with the 2007 Top Ten Invitational hosted by the United Kennel Club and sponsored by Dog World Magazine. The top ten dogs of each breed determined by competitive points earned during the calendar year 2007 were invited to compete in this show. Although only four of the ten Epagnuel Bretons invited to compete were able to be present, the dogs that did show were an excellent representation of the breed. Congratulations to Mighty McSmith , owned by W. Edward Smith for winning the coveted title of Best of Breed in the UKC Top Ten.

The Epagneul Breton Breed was further honored when Judge Kathy Lorentzen, who had been a participant in the UKC Judge’s Seminar in March featuring the Epagneul Breton, selected Mighty McSmith to make the cut of the best eight out of twenty-eight in the semi-final round. Although “Mighty” did not place in the final four, it was still a historic moment as this was the first time any Epagneul Breton had ever made the cut in the semi-final round of judging in the top ten competition. Recognition is given to Sherry Hughes who made the presentation of the standards and attributes of our breed at the UKC Judges seminar in March 2008 that provided education to the UKC Judges regarding our beloved breed L’Epagneul Breton.

Following the Top Ten Invitational, the UKC hosts three days of conformation shows beginning with individual breed competition. Approximately 2,000 dogs from all over the United States were entered in the UKC Premier that is sponsored by Purina and Dog World. This year twelve Epagneul Breton’s competed on Friday and Saturday and seven on Sunday. The dogs competing represented some of the finest Epagneul Bretons in the United States with seven of the entrants holding the title of champion in each of the competitions on Friday and Saturday.

The three days of competition was filled with thrills, spills and much anticipation as each dog and handler attempted to do their best to gain favor with the judge’s. Congratulations to NBOB CH TAN MIGHTY CLIATHAN McSMITH owned by W. Edward Smith, who was designated Best of Breed on Friday and Saturday. Congratulations to TAN VIDONIA DE WINTERHAVEN owned by Donald Rick winner of Best of Breed on Sunday.

It is worthy to note that Mighty McSmith was honored by making the cut in the Gun Dog group on Saturday being selected in the top eight of thirty-one dogs selected as best of their breed 

during the Saturday competition . To date only two Epagnuel Breton’s have ever made this cut in the history of our breed competing at the UKC Premier. Last year TR CH TOPPERLYNN D’ ARTAGNAN, owned by Lynda Kieres was the first Epagneul Breton to make the cut in the gun dog group. D’ARTAGNAN still holds the honor of being the highest ranked E.B. ever in Premier competition being placed fourth in the 2007 Gun Dog group.

On Saturday evening the Epagneul Breton Gun Dog Society hosted the second annual FBGDA Specialty Show at the Premiere. The scheduled judge became ill at the last hour before the show and we were very fortunate to have David Arthur volunteer to serve as judge for the event. Judge Arthur was knowledgeable of the Epagneul Breton breed as he had been one of approximately 30 UKC judges to attend the judge’s seminar, featuring our breed, presented by Sherry Hughes in March, 2008.

The competition for the Specialty Event was very strong with one grand champion, seven champions and several younger dogs all of excellent quality competing for the best of breed title. The final round of judging for Best of Breed resulted in three dogs still standing including TAN CIDONIA DE WINTERHAVEN, Best of Winners, owned by Donald Rick, CH VULCAN DU TALON DE GOUDRON, Champion Winner, owned by Bill and Liz Kelley and NBOB GRCH TAN CLIATHAN MIGHTY McSMITH, Grand Champion Winner, owned by W. Edward Smith. Judge Authur put the three dogs through their paces carefully examining each entrant for the qualities representing the E.B. breed standards. After much deliberation Judge Authur directed each entrant to take one step forward and allow the dog to free stack. At this point the competition was over as CH VULCAN DU TALON DE GOUDRON self stacked into a precise, rigid and erect pose as the champion of the evening and winning Best of Breed of the 2008 FBGDA Specialty Show at the Premier. Congratulations to his owners Bill and Liz Kelly!

Fellowship is always a big part of the week with our members. We went on our annual trip to Bennigan’s for dinner on Thursday, Olive Garden on Friday and a cookout at the Silver Bucket on Saturday following the Specialty Show in spite of a storm brewing with high winds and explosions of thunder and lightning. Todd Kellam visited the campsite on Wednesday evening but was unable to join us this year for the cookout and serenade us with his guitar. He said he would join us next year when RL can make it for a duo. We will plan a real hootenanny for 2009!

Please mark your calendars for Father’s Day weekend next year and join us for a great time with our beloved breed and friends with the FBGDA. We are currently working with the UKC on scheduling and hosting a handler’s seminar to feature for our members at the 2009 Premier!

Have a great summer and hope to see you in Kalamazoo next year!

FBGDA Premier Specialty

Judge: David Arthur

Best of Breed

Champion

Vulcan du Talon de Goudron

Owned by Willian Kelley

Grand Champion GRCH Cliathan Mighty McSmith

Owned by Ed Smith

Reserve Champion

Vinson de Winterhaven

Owned by Donald Ricks

O/C Junior Female

First, Bess L.V. du Rck

Owned by Donald Rick

Junior Male

First,

Coby du Hameaude Sorny

Owned by William Kelley/Dennis Hartsell

Reserve

Bingo du Rck

Owned by Donald Rick

O/C Junior Female

First, Reserve Best of Variety, Reserve Female BESS LV DU RCK Owned by: Donald Rick

O/C Adult Female

First, Brood Bitch, Best of Winners

Vidonia de Winterhaven

Owned by: Donald Rick

Novice Puppy

Disco Du Talon De Goudron

Owned by Kevin Pack

Reserve

Dzx Du Talon De Goudron

Owned by Kevin Pack

Sunday UKC Premier Results

Judged by: Marcia R. Schlehr

Champion

CH TOPPERLYN DOLLY DE RCK Owned by: Donald Rick and Shirley Rick

Reserve Champion

CH VINSON DE WINTERHAVEN Owned by: Donald Rick

Grand Champion, Grand Champion

NBOB CH TAN CLIATHAN MIGHTY MCSMITH Owned by: W Edward Smith

O/W Junior Female

First, Best of Variety

TAN SMITH'S CYTISE DES PIGENETTES Owned by: W Edward Smith

O/C Junior Male

First, Best of Variety, Best Male

TAN BINGO DU RCK Owned by: Donald Rick

O/C Junior Female

First, Reserve Best of Variety, Reserve Female BESS LV DU RCK Owned by: Donald Rick

O/C Adult Female

First, Best of Variety, Best Female, Best of Winners, Best of Breed

TAN VIDONIA DE WINTERHAVEN Owned by: Donald Rick

Top of Page                                                                                                            Return to Home Page