The Brittany Forum

highclare · Bretonnier Joined: 25 Jul 2008 Posts: 162 Location: Essex

Hi,
Going back to Clumber Spaniels. Clumbers, WSS, Sussex Spaniels and Field Spaniels are all classed as minor breeds and there for can not run against ESS and Cockers. The minor spaniels can't run in an open field trial so can't become a FTCH's.
I know some working Clumbers spaniels that would give any ESS or Cocker a run for there money but can't prove it.
That is a KC rule not the breed clubs rule. As for the size of the clumber they are not smaller, if anything they are taller but they are not so heavy and are much fitter than the show Clumber.

Gill and the Mabeleen

kandjt · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that Gill, I wasn't sure about the situation and rather fudged my answer to Bill. The Clumber I saw would certainly have held his own with Springers and Cockers. I'm still tempted but hopefully I'll be adding another Brittany to the pack next year. The situation over the trailing of spaniel minor breeds is, I think, fairly indicative of the Kennel Club's understanding, or rather lack of understanding, of the working gundog. Incidently, there has been a number of articles in shooting publications expressing anger at the KC's desire to obtain legal standing to enforce their Accredited Breeding Scheme and the implications it has on working kennels. Over the years there has been rumblings of the working gundog world breaking away from the KC and I've already read one article that has reopened this discussion. With the KC reeling from the fallout of the BBC programme and their stand on the ABS I'm sure this issue is sure to gain momentum.

Keith

The Plum · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject:

Keith if anyone within the K.C. wants to tell me or the vast majority of working gundog folk I know what size or shape a working dog must be then the K.C. will very quickly lose the revenues from the work only people. It would be a bit like folk who only play blow football telling real footballers how to play the game !

I hope the Clumbers and the other minor spaniel breeds continue to make progress and do well in the field. I don't think the K.C. wants them to do well though - an 80lb. weight Clumber is an obscenity.

Bill T.
_________________
The dogs nose is better than yours, let it use it!

johnhod · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:05 am Post subject:

I, for one, am not sure that the KC should shoulder the full blame for 80 lb Clumbers. Isn't the breed standard put forward by the breed club for acceptance by the KC?

I never thought I'd see myself going to the support of the money grubbing monopoly, but fair's fair

_________________
My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am.