Ghilliegumdrop
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Birmingham ShowMany congratulations to Guy and Catja on winning the Bitch CC and Best of Breed at Birmingham today. 
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johnhod
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Well deserved. Catja looked really good IMHO
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Ghilliegumdrop
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Merlin did the KC Good Citizen Bronze while we were waiting for the group and he PASSED 
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Mugi
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Congratulations to Guy, Julia and Catja.
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.:HayleyH:.
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Well Done Guy and Catja! I share my dads opinion, Catja looked very good! 
And well done Merlin and Jan for passing their KC Bronze! 
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guy
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Good to see other forum members there. Tara and Amber took a fourth in their first ever champ show. Amber suffers the perennial problem of running off more than she eats! A bit more body and she will creep up the lists.
Merlin handled by Jan ran an impeccable round of Bronze Good Citizen. Best 'Lie down' I have seen in a long time!
Moss took a first in his class - handled with great style.
Gill - Highclare took RCC bitch.
We had to wait close on forever to get into the group ring and then did not make the cut. I was very pleased with Catja's performance today - she sparkled more than ever before in a show ring - may be the 'eau de cow poo' in the air reminded her of home. Even in the group ring she was being bright eyed and attentive - whereas she is usually bored! So for us a good weekend - we had a great training session on partridge yesterday and a CC and BOB today. Can't get much better than that.
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sallie
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Well done Guy and Catja
also well done to
Jan and Merlin... see he is an angel really
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guy
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Merlin doing good citizen
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Lin Dyke
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Congratulations all round but especially to Guy, Julia and Catja 
Who got dog CC 
Merlin looks a perfect angel Jan 
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eddieh
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| sallie wrote: |
Jan and Merlin... see he is an angel really |
So was Satan
Seriously, well done Jan and Merlin. Well done Catja and Guy.
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Lin Dyke
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Have just read Johns' post (in the other Birmingham thread  ) with the link to results, so I'm now up to speed
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sallie
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Must admit Merlin is a good looking dog. thats the first picture i have seen of him
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barbara
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Congratulations on Catja's 1st CC and Best of Breed to Guy Julia and Catja. May the next two follow shortly!
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guy
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the group ring seemed a world away from the breed ring.
OK so we did not make the cut - why was that? I can think of several things and would love input on them and any others people may think of.
1. Age - she is still only 17 months - how old is the dog was the first and only question I was asked.
So time is on her side.
2. She is a Brittany - not every judge has an eye for a Brittany - the judge for Birmingham was a pointer man. (all the dogs he chose were large - may be coincidence) Group one was a Weimararner.
3. I have noticed most group wins go to those who have been around a long time. Now from this i interpret they have vastly more experience than me in handling - suggestions please how I can fast track my ringcraft knowledge.
4. Sartorial Elegance - or lack of it. I think I may need to change the 'display' image of the handler - whilst something linked to the working life of the dog may well suit in the gamekeepers class at Crufts I am not sure it would be the best for a group ring at a large show. I don't any longer (if ever) have the body to wear only a tie as was suggested by on. And I don't possess a suit. Perhaps i should sign up for a Trinny and Suzannah makeover - suggestions welcome - many a true word spoken in jest - so all ideas looked at.
5. Dog grooming. True Brittanys are 'rustic' and i will nail my colours to that mast now. I was astounded by just how much primping and preening went on in the collecting ring. So ideas on how to make the Brittany 'pop' without loosing that all important 'workmanlike' and 'rustic' look. How does one get to 'chic'.
6. Brittany comes at the beginning of the alphabet so a lot of dogs are looked at after and we stand at the very end of the line. So the entry run I think has to be spectacular - ideas on how to hit the ring running so to speak and with full visual impact .
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Ghilliegumdrop
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You could always do a 'Streak' that should make their eyes pop 
PS Eddieh, perhaps I should change himself's name to 'Lucifer' if he's a fallen angel
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Patricia
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I found this post very funny
On the serious side now and ONLY my opinion...
The Brittany is not an eye catching breed, it has not got the flowing coat of the Setter, the elegance of the Pointer, the looks of a Spaniel, it is simply a workmanlike little Breton. Many don't know why they move like they do, which is not flat out with ease. Too fast and as Guy says they bounce...One cannot expect anything else if constructed correctly.
And personnaly, I would not pick a dog for the big ring, the best of its breed is what is needed.
Regarding dress code, yes, maybe trousers and a jacket plus tie Guy In France that is different
In one word, the Brittany is " rustic", Jess will tell you the group winners are often the same, they are big winners in their breed.
In my eyes, the Brittany is simply not stunning and flashy , and nor should it be, it is after all and above all a dual purpose gundog.
I want to thank you all for your entries, and I found all the new people's dogs behaved very nicely, they are all a credit to you.
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Liz
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Congratulations Guy and Catja.
Well done Merlin as well. Don't forget I'm holding a Bronze Good Citizens test at Le Weekend, so if you want a go don't be shy!
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Victoria
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Alphabetically, we are invariably stuck between the American Cocker and the Clumber!! Guy, you are right, alot of it is 'face'; that is why it is so so so fantastic when we get a second run in the group judging...its almost faint material!!!! I have worked some of it out though, I think some judges want to place a minority breed such as ours, but they are nervous about doing so. It might not be worth their while, ahem!! But, we ALL PAY THE SAME ENTRY FEE and I am damned if my dog is going to be given a flippant look over just because the judge is unfamiliar with the breed...it is NO excuse.
I would love to wear my good shooting gear...Le Chameau wellies and all!!
My attitude is that I am there for one reason and one reason only- that is that my Breton are not only breathe-taking hunters but also comply with the breed standard and are beautiful (all be it rustic!!!!)!!!
Congratulations to you on Catja's challenge. Dionee's first show is in three weeks...her stand is wonderful; gaiting still something of a work in progress!! I have her now on her show lead and as it affords more point of contact than her collar, there is considerable improvement.
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Ghilliegumdrop
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Actually we have the Bracco as well Victoria, although there were not any classes yesterday.
As for the KC thingy....if the Demon can do it so can you lot so get out there and have a go I may just put the Ghilldog in for it [although she will probaly say it's beneath her] 
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Victoria
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Oh no!!! We have not encountered one of them yet although a puppy Spinone was at the last show we went to...cute! Haven't seen the Irish Waters for ages nor the Flat coats.
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Ghilliegumdrop
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Some nice IWS and Flatcoats there yesterday Victoria. 32 IWS and 178 Flatcoats. I lied just looked in the catalogue and there were 7 Braccos entered in NSC.
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Victoria
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Oh wow!!!! All those Flatcoats...would many of them be worked, do you think? I love the face of the IWS!
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Ghilliegumdrop
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Well, out of the 178 entered there were 4 full Champions ie; those that had either got their ShGWC or were actually trialed and had been placed....this, of course, doesn't mean that none of the others were worked but just that they hadn't got their 3 CCs and ShGWC or been placed at a trial 
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Victoria
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Yes
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Tara and Amber
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Congratulations Guy, Julia and Catja!
Catja shone!
Thank you everyone for your help, advice and warm welcome. I really had a great time and think Amber did too. It was fantastic to see so many beautiful Brittany Spaniels. I have to say that it doesn't seem to be just the best breed ever, but the owners were definitely the friendliest bunch at the show!
I appologise that I wasn't really with it yesterday. A very bad case of morning sickness (or should I say all day sickness). Amer  decided to role in a dead animal so I was bathing her at midnight. I don't think the lack of sleep helped.
Congratulations Jan and Merlin, he's gorgeous!
I can not wait till the next show, Just need to get some body on Amber.
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