| Archive for The Brittany Forum For all friends of the versatile Brittany |
| Annie as admin |
Spring Pointing TestsSpring pointing Tests are held in April and May and are purely to assess the dog's ability to hunt and find game. They are usually run in two sections as follwos:JUNIOR. For dogs over 6 months age and under 2 yrs Usually judged on partridge and pheasant. Ground game (rabbits, hares etc)to be judged for steadiness only. ADULT. For dogs over two years of age Usually judged on partridge only, with all other game to be judged for steadiness only. Dogs will be assessed at the end of the day and those considered worthy will be graded either EXCELLENT,VERY GOOD or GOOD. Dogs will run singly into wind for a minimum of ten minutes. The first minute will be discounted to allow the dog to settle down. Priority will be given to game finding. NATURAL working ability will come before steadiness. NO game will be shot and therefore retrieving will not be tested. NO dog will be eliminated unless out of control. |
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| Annie as admin |
Next Spring Pointing Test is on Sat 12th April at Patricia & Alan Rush's farm in Suffolk
contact John Anderson for details or check teh website - entry form attached. 
Click to download file |
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| guy |
I have asked JA for details but get no reply | ||
| Patricia |
I have spoken to John yesterday regarding details of the spring pointing test at ours -Suffolk- 12th April, 12 dogs.Hopefully preference to Brits!!!
As we also held the spring pointing test for the Norfolk and Suffolk HPR club here, people also mentionned dates for the BCGB one. This club are a really nice bunch who come and have training days here from time to time.We manage to get a fairly large amount of acres scrounging from our neighbouring farms too, and the partdridges are there to be found!!!. Yesterday, we had Angie Lewis as one of the judges. Angie, for the (new people) is a very experienced and true dog person. She made up the first field trial ch in Brittanys, Fleur de lys.She is friendly and funny, and for me it was a privilege to have her come here. 
I hope you will support John who is doing all he can to get you lot working the dogs! Patricia |
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| Annie as admin |
Brittany Club of Great Britain, (BCGB), Spring Pointing Test.
Date: 12th April 2008 Meeting Time: 9.00am for a 9.30am start Venue: Low Grange Farm, Heveningham Long Lane, Heveningham, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 0EF. (B1117 – A1107 Peasenhall), by kind permission of Mr & Mrs A. Rush. Judges: Ms A Lewis and TBA Entry Fee per dog: Members - £8. Non-members - £10. Runners: Preference will be given to Juniors and Club Members. There will be a maximum of 12 runners. Categories: Junior: For dogs over 6 months of age and under two years of age on the 1st January in the year of the test. Adult: For dogs over two years of age on 1st January in the year of the test. Submitting an entry is deemed as accepting BCGB rules and conditions for Spring Pointing Tests. Neither the BCGB nor the hosts of the test will accept liability for any accident, damage, illness or injury to dogs, owners, handlers, spectators or any other person or property whatsoever. Please make cheques payable to Brittany Club of Great Britain and send your entries to: The Field Trial Secretary, BCGB, John Anderson, Beechgrove, Goodrich, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire. HR9 6JE. Tel no: 01600 890667. e-mail: bcgbftsec@hotmail.co.uk |
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| Lin Dyke |
I certainly remember Angie and Fleur from more years ago than I care to admit 
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| Patricia |
Judges for the Spring pointing test are: Angie Lewis and Trevor Rigby.
Look forward to seeing many of you here, Patricia |
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| Mugi |
Well, I have bitten the bullet and sent in an entry for myself and Chase. | ||
| Patricia |
Sue, I have sent a PM. We look forward to having you both in Suffolk.People who compete in the field are friendly and it is with good humour people can compare notes on their ratbags!! 
Patricia |
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| Mugi |
Thanks Patricia
I know that when I entered Mugi in the GWT we were really welcomed both by those I knew and those I didn't, we had a great day then and I don't see the SPT will be any different in those terms. |
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| Patricia |
Due to personal circumstances Angie will be unable to come to judge the Spring pointing test on April the 12th. The new judge has yet to be announced. Angie is very disappointed not to see all the Brits again, but she hopes it will be for another time... | ||
| Annie as admin |
Substitute Judge for the Spring Pointing Test on 31st May is Chris Snelling (Brecklander), Trevor Rigby is the other Judge. Good luck to everyone taking part
Entry form attached again 
Click to download file |
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| Annie as admin |
KC working Gundog Test will be run conjunctly with the SPT. Dogs entered for both will be assessed and marked for each one. If possible the Retrieving part of the KC Certificate will be done too.
Also John just told me that at the GWT on 25th May at Hampton he will put on the KC test as well. Annie |
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| guy |
has a draw been made for this weekends SPT yet? | ||
| Annie as admin |
No idea - John is the FT sec not me | ||
| guy |
just thought someone might know - not all hotmail gets through to me. | ||
| Mugi |
I spoke to John yesterday but he didn't mention either way - not much help   .
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| Patricia |
Dear All,
As the spring pointing test is held on our farm, I had a call from John yesterday! Due to the condition of the crops- the wheats are not very high due to the very cold conditions at this time of year- we have limited the numbers to 12 dogs. We have afir mount of cares to cover if needed but it does not later the height of the crops. I have also mentionned that as we are doing it for the Brittany Club, we would like preference to our breed ; as also few people get the opportunity to run in such conditions and would like to see their dogs behave on open ground and wild game. So wait and se now... I look forward to seeing all your Brits there
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| Patricia |
I meant a fair amount of acres 
We also scrounge land from our neighbouring farms... |
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| Mugi |
I was wondering .
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| Patricia |
Sorry got ahead of myself!!!! | ||
| Mugi |
My brain and fingers often get confused when typing - mind you, it doesn't take much at the moment (my excuse and I'm sticking to it) .
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| Mugi |
Running order has been sent out by John. Mugi was first reserve but has a slot and I am now officially nervous .
Seriously, I am looking forward to it and hope I do my boys justice. However we do I am setting out to enjoy the day and hopefully learn plenty from watching, listening and asking quite possibly stupid questions. |
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| guy |
Mine has turned up - but no Catja ??? | ||
| Mugi |
I noticed that Guy and was confused - wondered if she had come into season. Obviously Mugi will step down to make way for a youngster if that is allowed. |
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| johnhod |
Been thinking about you lucky people, while I've been working hard today. Hope you all enjoyed it. Please let me know how you all got on. | ||
| Ghilliegumdrop |
12 Ran to start and 3 dogs got second runs
J Anderson and Barney [Brittany] Helen Evans and Orca [Large Munsterlander] Jan Taylor and Ghillie [Brittany] A brilliant day was had by all and afterwards we enjoyed a lovely tea put on by Patricia and Alan [love your rocks Alan ]
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| Annie as admin |
So were the three that got second runs graded and what did they get? | ||
| Mugi |
The only dog to be graded was from his first run and was Pat and Alans Athos. He was graded Good. | ||
| johnhod |
So come on lets have a bit more. Did you run Mugi, Sue? What was the ground like, what were the birds like. Is there any gossip? | ||
| Annie as admin |
Yes, come on - we're waiting with bated breath | ||
| Annie as admin |
Well for the next 2 minutes, anywa - I need a w....ell cup of tea | ||
| Mugi |
Sorry guys, after leaving Bedford at 6.30 to get to Suffolk I got home at 21.30 and after sorting dogs, some food etc bed was all that was on my mind .
So I will share my experience and leave others to add theirs if they wish. So, the morning run was on a wheat crop that, as Pat had already mentioned was not well advanced. The judges wanted to see the natural quartering patterns. There were a few birds about for the morning run but not found me mine . There was a good wind for the novices like me, it did alter a little but for my runs it was pretty much true for me to work it out . We also were blessed with none of the rain that was threatened and if what dumped out of the sky on the drive home had arrived earlier we would have been miserable.
10 Brittany's out of the 12 dogs run so a lovely sight to see. Chase was drawn 4th and the judges were great, they had asked at the outset if anyone was a complete novice and when I arrived to start they really looked after me. Chase ran well on ground he didn't know, once he settled he was ranging pretty wide and although he did back cast a couple of times his biggest problem was on a hare. He saw the hare get up and did a short run but he was good in that I didn't see my B&W pup disappear across the horizon. As he turned back to resume his hunt though he found the spot where the hare had been hunkered down and this totally distracted him as it was the first strong hare scent he had been exposed to. Once he came back to me we were able to carry on our run and then for the critique .
Chase was classed as having a "half good" run, my inexperience was the problem and a few of my glaring handler errors were pointed out. The judges took a good length of time to coach me through what I did wrong, what I should have been looking for, how I could have helped him etc. The consensus was that Chase is a very promising dog and I need to learn ultra-quick to catch up. A very positive experience. Mugi was First Reserve and as someone had already withdrawn I knew he was going to have a run at number 7. Mugi approached the experience as a good morning walk out in a field, his beat did not contain a bird but he did quarter a pretty classic pattern into a headwind. About 5 minutes into our run he got the scent of a bird and his whole attitude changed, he speeded up and his alertness was tangible. Sadly his bird proved to be a recently killed pigeon but he gamely hunted on. My final few minutes were on a corner of the field and in effect one of the judges gave me a mini training session as he walked with me and was coching me on how I should be standing, moving etc to get my dog working well. Mugi's critique was in two stages, the first part of his run was classed as a dog on a bimble in the sun , the second stage (post pigeon scent) as classed as very good (in the context of the fact we all knew we weren't talking about a grading) and a pity he hadn't had a bird as they would have liked to see how he did. I was thanked for taking him and yet again I was told to watch him carefully and keep working him as he will be the best teacher regarding hunting and wind treatment that I can get.
As an aside Chase also managed pretty well in the gallery, he was noisy at times (not the only one though) - especially prior to his run and he wanted to play a few times but he was much 'easier' than I had feared he might be..... I had a great day, fab company and hospitality, I learned loads and was pleased with both dogs but most especially Chase (knowing Mugi is unlikely to ever let me down) who worked nicely and was a very social chap as well. At the end of the day Trevor (judge) came up and was petting Mugi, he again thanked me for taking him, said he had enjoyed watching him and reiterated what a good dog he is and how much he can teach me. |
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| Annie as admin |
This is what I lack - I don't have a flipping clue as to what I should be doing! Well done, Sue for having a go and for both your dogs doing so well. I am green with jealousy. No-one, but no-one, helps me up here |
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| Ghilliegumdrop |
What about Bill....he's doing his best. | ||
| Patricia |
For us, it was great to see so many Brittanys-and not in the ring this time!-
Also the weather held up, and though cold the rain kept away.The birds were there for the dogs to find but being wild and scattered about did not hang around. Got told off for laughing too much with Guy and Sue and scaring the birds! 
Comparing you lot, moderators, to the French ones made me realise the difference in temperament between the Brits and French! One lady was chucked off the Forum after wanting a free Brittany puppy as she could not afford a registered one,and put lots of photos when she eventually found one. (The pup had white on his nose) Then posted a pic of her cat, things got a bit blunt and that is the end of her.Guy will say I am off subject but the socialising side of the breed is important too! As for Athos, my import, after 11 months waiting to come into Britain, and quite a while finding his feet, he has discovered what his nose was for and does a natural " coule". We are now as Trevor mentionned about the Brittany and their obcessive nature, doing...Suffolk! Both judges were helpful and it is nice to have a variety of opinions... |
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| johnhod |
Thanks Sue and well done to both the boys. Any other comments on the day or will I have to wait until the breed notes appear in the paper? | ||
| Ghilliegumdrop |
The day started off bright but cold, we had cups of tea and then left the house to walk up to where the judges had been transported for the first run [at least most of us walked the rest went in and on a variety of transport laughing their silly heads off at us walking behind] We all had a good long walk which gave all the dogs time to settle before the serious stuff started. Most of the dogs worked extremely well and mistakes were handler error. Ghill did a classic run on her first, I was so taken up with watching her that I didn't blow the whistle more than a couple of times and managed to walk a straight line through the field. The judges were very complimentary about her and said it was one of the best runs of the morning. Then, of course, I had to go and ruin it in the afternoon by following her instead of doing the straight line thing. Drat, drat and double drat.....never mind there's always next time. We had a super tea afterwards, many thanks to judges Trevor Rigby and Chris and also Patricia and Alan.We then had the inquest and advice session, hopefully we shall be able to remember all we were told and put it into practise:!: | ||
| Annie as admin |
Bill is 3 hours drive away. He does his best by correcting me when I say things on the forum not by actually speaking to me in person and being alongside me when things happen - I don't even know about wind direction or anything. Hopefully all of that will change after the end of this month |
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| guy |
i had an interesting day. And learned a lot.
Catja's run this time was very much wider than the last SPT she was in. what a difference a month or so can make! Much much wider and more confident. I was very pleased with her as she is after all only a year old. She did - as many dogs that day back cast - and this was due to the timing of my whistle according to the judges. I was to far astern of her when I called the turn and in consequence she turned towards the whistle and thus down wind. The second piece of advice I was given was if one relies on voice and whistle to control the dog then it will stop looking for direction as it will learn to rely on the whistle - my homework was for te next three weeks to take her out without a whistle and see how she changes. I will keep you posted. It was a shame more dogs did not have a second run - nearly every handler would have benefited from a chance to put into practice the advice from the first run. Alan and Patricia very generously offered use of the ground for any dog to have a run at the end of the day - thanks for that. Patricia - no i don't think you are off topic - (you should see how far the wanderings go on the HPR forum :-) ) As you say part of SPT is the friendships that develop. (I believe there was only one handler who thought there was to much noise). Should you expect young dogs to act other than young dogs? To spend six hours on a lead with a 20 min run sometime is a lot of being 'good' for a puppy IMHO. Jan A lovely run to watch. Annie. to quote the judges - 'people are often confused about the requirements of SPT - it is not FT without shots being fired and it is not GWT without the retrieves. SPT is about the dog giving impeccable patterns of work and ground cover (but not a slavish zig zag). The dog doing the work, with little intervention from the handler - the handler and dog working as a partnership - the dog providing the nose and legs and the handler the strategy. Sue Nice to see Chase in action, I don't think he let you down or you him. I am glad Mugi had a go. John Where were you? Patricia, A personal thank you to you and Alan for firstly making the day available and secondly so friendly. you are however being to modest - the only award of the day was Good - Athos de St Lubin handled A Rush. owned A and P Rush |
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| Patricia |
Thank you Guy for the run down on things: I was really hoping for you lot to have a go in our neighbours's oilseed rape. I know the partdrides are in there because I see them go in on the edge of the drive. But, judges decision...I thought too the day would be longer but there we are. And looking forward to a bit of hare coursing!
I was keen to have the Brittanys, as many don't have my advantages to have such a "large garden". I do some training with the dogs, Alan handles because I have problems walking at the moment, but they are ALL mine. If I get divorced, they come with me!!!!
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| guy |
if Julia and i get divorced she has told me I have to take ours. |
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| johnhod |
Guy
Working, but 5 hours+ each way and 500+ mile worth of petrol meant it was unlikely that I'd have gone anyway. |
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| Mugi |
I know what you mean there John, I knew we had spent over 8 hours travelling albeit over two days but I have just totted up costs and we spent over £160 excluding food too. Was it worth it, yes in my opinion but it certainly is not something to be overlooked. I am lucky that my work is both pretty well paid but is also flexible so I get time to do stuff pretty much when I want but this dog stuff is certainly no cheap hobby!!!!! |
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| Patricia |
Dog people do tremendous distances in any case, we are just " driven" by getting to the next goal with our dogs.
John is talking about a training day later in the year. If that makes life easier some can park their caravans or whatever in the meadow and there is a pub down the road who has some B&B Rooms. I know the landlady well as I trim her Cavalier
We are thinking about a BBQ too possibly...We rear our own lamb! It would break up the journey and be a social event too? We have enjoyed the week end and had some good laughs allround. |
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| Ghilliegumdrop |
Well put my name down if you are going to BBQ a lamb.......the last one I tasted was delicous 
Cavalier  You put your hands on a Cavalier and admit it
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| Patricia |
That Cavalier is like a little " pudding" and the only job he would be fit for is scrounging at the tables! 
I don't think working would be in his vocabulary! |
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| Ghilliegumdrop |
I can well believe it.....people should be shot letting their dogs get in that state. | ||
| johnhod |
Meant to ask earlier. How did the gundog working certificate go? | ||
| guy |
It didn't happen. | ||
| Annie as admin |
Not enough time and few dogs got a second run.
I just spoke to John on the phone. He hopes to have more time to devote to Club events later this year. A Training Day Programme will be set out in the next few days and I'll put it on here and on the website - specialised days are in the offing as well as 'shot overs' |
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| guy |
But we finished just after 3pm and one dog got graded on its first run.
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| Annie as admin |
Well, that was what I was told. | ||
| Patricia |
I thought the dogs who pointed were going to be counted as the "first leg" of the working certificate?
Some pointed. The hunting pattern was the deciding factor. 3 dogs had a second run, Barney, Ghillie and Helen's Munsterlander. In between all that, we had a break for lunch! Last year we had the Norfolk and Suffolk for a pre spring pointing test training day. That was a good idea.
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