Patricia
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Alencon show, FranceWe are now back from France where we like to show to keep our dogs assessed from time to time...And we really love the whole scene,aperitif and meeting with the breeders.
We took 3 dogs over to Alencon CACIB show and fared pretty well;
Andy and Sue's " Beau took a third " excellent" and behaved well considering he was caged next to a full in season bith who was poking her bum in his face  .
Chriss, my new import was a bit overwhelmed by the echoeing of the hall and the loud music of the heelwork to music( not very good by the way!  ) The judge was extremely thorough and " disssected" each bit of the dog. Fat dogs were frowned upon.
Chriss received a RCAC.
Baileys took to the ring in her usual enthousiastic manner and was awarded the CAC, CACIB,( her second) and Best of Breed.
She challenged the male winner from the Nationale this year and beat him 
We are very proud to say that going in the big ring, similar size to the ones in the UK, she was short listed in the 6 they select from the Continental breeds. There are many of those in France...
The English Pointer was selected and I must say their muzzles are more convergent than the ones I see here...My observation only...
We had a great time and caught up with friends from there including Jean Marc Binet.
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Tara and Amber
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Congratulations! Weldone, that's fantastic.
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johnhod
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Good results, well done.
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guy
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chapeau
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Dave A
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It sounds like you had a great time, With an excellent result to top it off, Well done.
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Mugi
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Congratulations 
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doganjo
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Great News, Patricia - you're in the next Breed notes with that - who was the judge?
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Liz
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Congratulations - great results all round
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barbara
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Congratulations Patricia
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Patricia
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We are going back again next month
As most of the work is done on the farm, we can combine visting family and showing. That is easier for me as I don't need to run( my ankle not bending well  ).
In France you walk the dogs when moving them.... and on top of that the Breton being a common breed there, the best of breed stands a chance of being appreciated in the group 
So many Continental breeds, some I rarely see like the Pont Audemer-who was also short listed- I saw many various Braques like the Braque d'Auvergne, St Germain, then the Griffon Korthals, plus also in the 7th group all the Setters, Pointers, GSP and Wire hairs, Epagneuls de Picardie, Pergigueros, and our " normal HPRs.
So a different group as the Spaniels and retrievers are in the 8th group.
So, of course the Breton there is like the Lab here!
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guy
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Pat to which show? I was looking at some of the Autumn Trial dates, the most ideal clashed with the BCGB AA, but when it came to doing the maths it was horrific - to take one adult and a dog to St Malo for a few days was £200 and if via Calais £92 just for the ferry. Not including the cost of fuel and hotel.
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Patricia
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We are off to Rouen...It is all a matter of budgeting
As I am getting impatient with some of the judging in the UK ...and also want to keep in touch with some good French dogs, I go over.
The money I save by not showing in the UK goes towards the French trips. This time we shared so the fuel and tolls etc were halved.
We did not make the last 2 Nationales because of the time of year. Same as with the trials, as I would like to go over in September; but Alan does not finish on the land until the end of October
By then, they are on woodcock and my dogs have not had exposure to these birds apart from the odd one staying a day or so.
We went over to Hubert Joret's who described in detail what those fascinating little birds do...And their terrain. How the judge and handler have sometimes to crawl on their hands and knees through brambles and woods to find the dog...when the bell, stops. The woodcock stamps and goes back and forth on their own tracks.
Can't see myself doing that somehow
Also the trials go down in the South in the Landes...a long way.
The hotels in France are no longer cheap though you can pick the Etap, B&B, Premiere Classe for 39 to 48 Euroes. I find the breakfasts expensive at 9 Euros! So, we bring our own and buy croissants in the boulangerie beforehand
Goinf to France enables me to stay with my family but because they are not dog minded, I get my " carrot" in taking the dogs and often visiting breeders and shooting people.
Guy, you have met Jacques Daniel with Venus. And Jean Marc, all shooting fanatics. I thought about Venus for Toscane and Jacques wanted a puppy from her!!!
At Alencon, Jean Marc's dog Artiste( Clochette's father) was awarded the RCACIB....
A great day....
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guy
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Rouen is the day before the BCGB AA but am tempted by Bourges in February or Montlucon in March.
Maybe Spring trials may be better as I believe more are run in Pas de Calais and the like.
Yes i have spent a convivial evening with Jacques and Marc. Also looked after Venus for half an hour at the National so a good chance to 'look him in the eye' as it were. Anne Eissing had him for a while to cover Lesca, some interesting stories.
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