French Brittany News Archvie

NEWS ARCHIVE

Single Registration Policy Toughened

At a November 21, 2006 Board meeting, the FBGDA Board approved changes in the UKC Single Registration policies and procedures for the Epagneul Breton breed. These changes were approved by the United Kennel Club, Inc. as the official registration body for the breed. As parent breed club, FBGDA, acting through the Single Registration Committee, is charged with the responsibility to oversee and review all applications for single registration of dogs as an Epagneul Breton.

From a procedure standpoint, the changes take places for all applications for single registration submitted on or after March 1, 2007. Also, beginning March 1, 2007, the applications will first be submitted to FBGDA, who will endeavor to verify that the applicant dog is qualified to be single registered. Presuming so, approval will be communicated to the United Kennel Club Registration Department, which will in turn then issue the registration and pedigree. In some instances, this should speed up the single registration process. However, the burden rests upon the owner of the applying dog to demonstrate that the dog's lineage is pure Epagneul Breton, and any application which fails to provide such proof will be denied.

After March 1, 2007 only dogs this can be verified as pure Epagneul Bretons will be eligible for single registration. This shall include dogs imported from abroad which were born outside of the United States, as well as any litters that are born as a result of any breeding to an Epagneul Breton not registered by the United Kennel Club Inc. Any dogs born inside the United States, which have a sire and dam not registered by the United Kennel Club, Inc. will have to prove that their lineage is pure Epagneul Breton in order to qualify for UKC registration.

This will result in the disqualification of dogs that may carry only a small percentage of American Brittany bloodlines.

This change is intended to protect the integrity of the breed registry and studbook for the Epagneul Breton breed which is administered and maintained by UKC as the official breed registry and studbook. Each year a number of applications for single registration are submitted for dogs born in the United States which contain mixed lineage in varying amounts. Some of these dogs's parentage cannot be verified sufficiently going back for several generations, such that delays and frustration can sometimes result for the owner. This change in policy regarding single registrations was approved by the United Kennel Club, Inc. .The intent of the change is to expedite and simplify the single registration process and to protect the integrity of the breed gene pool and to keep it pure. While the change may adversely impact upon a few breeders and assorted individuals whom have bought dogs without doing adequate due diligence to determine that the dogs are in deed pure and authentic Epagneul Bretons, it is believed that the change will result in more diligence being exercised before breeding any dog containing a pedigree with lineage. Breeders who sell dogs representing them to be pure Epagneul Bretons, are going to have angry purchasers on the hands when their dogs are declined for single registration due to the fact that the parents are not either already registered and certified by UKC as Epagneul Bretons or able to demonstrate that they are registered as an Epagneul Breton from a kennel club in a foreign country such as France, which registration is acceptable to FBGDA and UKC to demonstrate that the lineage of the dog is pure.

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UKC to Adopts Breed Standard Identical to the FCI Breed Standard
for the Epagneul Breton

The United Kennel Club, Inc. has approved FBGDA's request that the UKC modify the existing breed standard to make it comport identically to the breed standard for the Epagneul Breton as employed in France, the country of origin of the breed. The change was supported by UKC President Wayne Cavanaugh and UKC's approval was conveyed by UKC Executive Vice President Mark Theftall on Febraury 6, 2007. FBGDA believes that the United States is the first country in the western hemisphere to precisely adopt the FCI breed standard for the Epagneul Breton, as the standard has been developed and employed in France, the country of origin of the breed. The same standard is also employed in other FCI constituent countries in Europe.

While the previous UKC breed standard for the Epagneul Breton adopted in 2002 contained only slight deviations in a few areas from the FCI version of the standard, it was felt by the FBGDA Board that complete uniformity in the standard was extremely important in order to prevent gradual deviations from the ideal structure of the Epagneul Breton over time. The revised Conformation Standard as submitted to the UKC by FBGDA was derived from the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) online version of March 25, 2003 (from FCI St. No. 95, May 5, 2003). That FCI version was translated into English by John Miller and Raymond Triquet, France, with such English translation becoming available on September 14, 2004. There are no substantive deviations from the cited FCI Standard as translated into English as submitted to UKC by FBGDA, with only a few words, punctuations and measures adjusted to the usual American form of the English language.

In addition to the actual verbiage of the standard itself, artwork to be included in an appendix was included to highlight desirable (proper) and undesirable (improper) canine characteristics which breeders should select against. The artwork is designed to help one visualize the positive (proper) or negative (improper) aspects of the conformation of the Epagneul Breton dog. The artwork is used with the express permission of and credited completely to Jean Louvet, of France.

The FBGDA board anticipates that the artwork will serve as a visual aid to those studying the standard for the Epagneul Breton, as well as other purebred dogs. Committee members Robert Olson, Edward Smith and Sherry Hughes along with members of the FBGDA Board contributed to this effort. However special thanks is due to FBGDA Vice President (and nominee for 2007-2009 FBGDA President) R.L. Dalrymple for his long time devotion to this project. Mr. Dalrymple. oversaw technical conversion of the material to a usable computer programming format, insured accuracy and correctness of the content by doing research and consulting with veterinarians, and secured permission for use of the artwork materials from Mr. Jean Louvet, of France. It is anticipated that copies of the revised and updated UKC standard for the Epagneul Breton breed will be reproduced for distribution at the National Meeting in Arizona, and will be available to the membership in the near future.

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Notice of Nomination for Vacancies on the 2007 FBGDA Board of Directors

Notice is given to the membership that the FBGDA Nominating Committee has met and hereby submits the following nominations for the 2007 election of Officers and Directors of the Association:

Pursuant to Article VII, Section 2 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the French Brittany Gun Dog Association of America, Inc., effective April 1, 2006, the undersigned hereby certifies that the following persons have been duly nominated for the following offices and specified terms for such office:

Pursuant to Article VI, Section 1, Fred Overby, 2006 President, shall automatically serve as a voting member of the Board for a period of one year.

Certified under my hand and by affixing the Seal of the Corporation this 27th. Day of January, 2007.

Robert Olson, Corporate Secretary
French Brittany Gun Dog Association of America, Inc.

At its Fall 2006 Directors meeting, the Board of Directors of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc. (commonly known as "OFA") reviewed and considered the petition and accompanying materials submitted by the French Brittany Gun Dog Association of America, Inc. whereby a request was made that a separate OFA data base (Breed Code) be established for the Epagneul Breton breed. OFA is the largest organization of its kind in North America, and performs independent evaluations and provides ratings for the hips of various breeds of dogs in order to aid in reducing and attempting to eliminate canine hip dysplasia.

Eddie Dziuk, Executive Director of OFA recently notified FBGDA that OFA had decided to grant the request by FBGDA to establish a separate and distinct breed code category for the Epagneul Breton. The new breed code for subsequent evaluations will be implemented in short order and any owner contemplating having an Epagneul Breton evaluated by OFA should request coding as an Epagneul Breton under the new system. Mr. Dziuk indicated that it would take some time for OFA to potentially develop and technically implement how OFA may possibly integrate dogs evaluated and coded under the previous Brittany database into the new breed coding system for the Epagneul Breton. One possible option being considered by OFA is to possibly implement exception logic into OFA's present computer programming which would allow dogs previously rated as a Brittany to be shown in an Epagneul Breton's information accessed through the OFA system. This issue is being carefully studied and FBGDA is optimistic that a workable system for inclusion of previous dogs can be implemented.

FBGDA has evidenced a strong commitment to both the OFA rating system and in promoting the important role OFA plays in monitoring and improving the health of the pointing dog breeds.

This organizational commitment by FBGDA, evidenced by the strong FBGDA organizational policy concerning hip rating criteria for breeding was undoubtedly an important factor taken into account by OFA in terms of deciding whether to grant the request for recognized status by OFA for the Epagneul Breton as a separate breed with its own breed code, ratings statistics and related information. FBGDA members who have labored on various aspects related to development of policy addressing the issue of canine hip dysplasia believe that having this new breed code established for the Epagneul Breton, which is separate and distinct from the coding system for the American Brittany breed, will actually be of benefit to breeders, owners and prospective owners of members of both breeds (Epagneul Breton and American Brittany) for the simple reason that it will produce more targeted and accurate information, history and statistics for each breed

While OFA has not yet committed how all aspects of the change will be technically implemented, FBGDA is hopeful and optimistic that Epagneul Breton dogs that have been previously evaluated and rated by OFA under the previous coding system will be able to be included in the newly established breed-coding database when it is implemented by OFA. Specific details surrounding the process of requesting rating under the new Epagneul Breton Breed Code and/or accomplishing the inclusion of Epagneul Bretons previously rated under the old system will be provided to the membership on the FBGDA web site, and in future issues of the L'Epagneul Breton Magazine published by FBGDA as soon as OFA provides information to FBGDA

Several items of business were passed at the Annual Business Meeting held in Cordele, GA on March 3, 2006. New Corporate Officers and Directors were elected, a new policy was adopted concerning HIP Certification, and the Association By-Laws were adopted as presented at a later date April 1, 2006. (A printer error was found in the page order of the new By-Laws as printed in the March ’06 FBGDA Magazine. If you would like a corrected copy, please contact Bob Olson at (317) 849-2575 and he will send you a corrected copy) Certificates of appreciation were presented to those who helped make the Conclave a success with a strong round of applause given by the members present. Winners from the various events held during the Conclave were also recognized during the meeting. The Conclave was concluded with the Annual Auction where items including trips, Epagneul Bretons, art work, and dog training items were bid upon. More than $4000.00 was raised from the auction thanks to the generosity of the members present and to those who so kindly donated the items presented at the auction.

Pursuant to Article VII of the Constitution and Bylaws of the French Brittany Gun Dog Association of America, INC., effective January 1, 2003, the following are the 2006 annual Corporate Officers and Directors election results:

The Board of Directors approved the following FBGDA Hip Committee Recommendations at their 2 March 2006 meeting as stating the official policy of FBGDA concerning hip evaluation ratings for the purpose of perpetuating the Epagneul Breton Breed:

It shall be the official policy of the French Brittan Gun Dog Association that only dogs who have been radio graphed and evaluated by a recognized certifying body with no evidence of Hip Dysplasia, be used to perpetuate the breed. These authorities include Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc. (OFA), PennHIP, and appropriate certifying authorities from outside the United States on imported dogs. For a dog to be considered, they must have been rated as follows or better:

Pursuant to Article VII, Section 2.4 of the Constitution and Bylaws, any additional nominations must be submitted from the membership as provided by the referenced section of the Bylaws and must be received by the Corporate Secretary prior to March 31, 2006. In the event that additional nominations are not received so as to require a balloted election, each person duly nominated without opposition shall be certified by the Corporate Secretary as being elected effective April 1, 2006, as provided by Article VII, Section 2.4(a) of the FBGDA Constitution and Bylaws.

New Officers and Director Take Positions at FBGDA

R.L. Dalrymple of Oklahoma was recently selected by the Board of Directors to serve as Vice President of F.B.G.D.A. Robert Olson of Indiana was tapped to serve as Secretary, and Wallace Huey of Georgia was also named to the Board. Each of these vacant positions was filled for a portion of an unexpired term, and like a number of the other offices, persons appointed to fill these positions will stand for election for the remainder of the respective unexpired terms in the Association’s spring elections.

Dalrymple has been active on the F.B.G.D.A. Board for many years and has served on various committees to include the Committee on Breeding, Certification and Registration which is in the process of making recommendations for criteria for breeding relative to hip ratings. Olson also is an experienced hand, having served as Director previously and coordinating this year’s National Specialty Conformation Show. Huey joins the board after assisting the in the establishment of and serving as president of the Georgia affiliate chapter. He is also this year’s annual meeting coordinator. A remaining vacant seat on the Board of Directors was left vacant and will be filled in the spring elections.

The Nominating Committee of FBGDA Chaired by Edward Smith, will shortly publish its slate of recommended candidates for all offices up for election in the spring elections.

The Board of Directors would like to Thank Paul Ehlers, former FBGDA Vice President, and Lynda Kieres, former FBGDA Secretary, for their service. Although no longer officers, Paul and Lynda continue to be dedicated to the Epagneul Breton and the club.

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Four members of the Epagneul Breton Gun Dog Society, LTD attended the United White Shepard Club Multibreed Dog Show on September 10-11, 2005 in Hamlet, IN. Kurt Stepaniak entered CH. TAN. Topperlyn's United Front (Koot), Bob and Kim Olson entered CH. TAN. Uhelec'h de L’Escarbot (Dak) and CH. TAN. Usine de Plum Creek (Abbi), with chapter President Ed Smith also in attendance.

September 10, 2005 Show 1 Koot took the Champion, Best of Breed, and 1st Place in the Group with Abbi the Reserve Champion. Koot then took Kurt into the Best in Show ring where he took Reserve Best in Show! For Show 2 Koot again took Champion, Best of Breed, and 1st Place in the Group with Dak the Reserve Champion.
This Champion win by Koot earned him his Grand Champion Title 1 day shy of his second birthday!

September 11, 2005 Koot took the Champion, Best of Breed, and 1st Place in the Group with Dak the Reserve Champion. For Show 2 Dak took Champion, Best of Breed, and 1st Place in the Group with Koot the Reserve Champion. Dak and Bob then competed in the Best of Show with Dak taking a Reserve Best in Show to the disbelief of Bob.

Kurt, Ed, Bob, and Kim were very pleased about the breed standards knowledge and enthusiastic approach the judges took with respect to our dogs and the guidance they gave us as we showed in the ring.

Four multibreed shows, 2 Reserve Best in Show, and one Grand Champion Title made for a very satisfying weekend for all.

Committee on Breeding, Registration and Certification to Review and Recommend Criteria for Evaluation, Detection and Control of Hip Dysplasia

At the direction and request of the Board of Directors, a FBGDA Committee will study and make future recommendations to the FBGDA Board and Membership concerning implementation of quality control criteria in the area of hip dysplasia. The Committee hopes to complete its work and issue recommendation in time for the 2006 annual meeting.

That committee has also been given the charge of formally reviewing the Official UKC Breed Standard for the Epagneul Breton in order to make sure that the UKC standard perfectly mirrors the F.C.I. Standard for the breed as applied in Europe. The committee will also review and consider the possibility of implementing some form of recommended breeding criteria for possible future implementation in America, similar to that of France.

The FBGDA Board is of the consensus that the problem of addressing hip dysplasia deserves careful attention, serious debate/ study and thoughtful implementation of procedures which will promote both quality control and protection of the health of the breed.

The Committee will be chaired by director Ed Smith, who initiated board consideration of this issue. Serving on the Committee are vice-chair R.L. Dalrymple, along with Kim Olson, Chris Kieres, and Paul Ehlers. All information and concerns should be shared with and addressed to one or more members of the Committee.

On May 7, 2005 the Board of Directors of the French Brittany Gun Dog Association of America, Inc., met and by unanimous consent named C. Frederick Overby as President. Fred Overby is a Georgia native who divides time each year between his family farm in the southwest Georgia quail country and a ranch in southwest Montana, near Bozeman. Fred has served FBGDA as volunteer legal counsel since its founding in 1997, when he helped the founding members to incorporate FBGDA after the first organizational meeting. He joined the Board as Director in 1998 and has previously served the Association at various times as Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President until being named President this year.

FBGDA’s new president describes himself first and foremost as a lover of French Brittany gun dogs, with his favorite hobby being to hunt wild Hungarian partridge and sharp-tail grouse with his Bretons on the Northern Great Plains each fall. Although he breeds a few pups on a small time basis from his personal line of twelve Epagneul Bretons developed over the last decade, Fred says he actually enjoys training pups and young dogs the most. He hunts avidly from September to February of each year and participates in U.K.C. field trials for fun and fellowship.

Concurrently with appointing the new FBGDA President, the Board of Directors also acted to name Paul Ehlers of Colorado, as Vice President. At the time of his appointment as Vice President of FBGDA, Paul was serving FBGDA as a Director. He had recently also served as the Association’s Corporate Secretary. A railroader and former president of his local trade union, Paul is not a breeder. He enjoys hunting his Epagneul Bretons across the western United States in pursuit of pheasant, Hungarian partridge and sharp-tail grouse each fall and is developing a tract of land in North Dakota for wildlife conservation. Paul intends to focus his work this year in the area of membership development, and in improving and refining the FBGDA Constitution.

Peter Ward, formerly of Minnesota, now of Virginia and Montana, was named by the Board to serve as Corporate Treasurer for the next year. With a strong background in business and corporate finance, Peter also brings a wealth of knowledge from his prior service on the FBGDA Board of Directors. Peter and his wife Margaret, spend most of their time at Elkhart Ranch, north of Livingston, Montana where they reside with their four Epagneul Bretons Sasha, Patty, Sean and Thunder. A frequent judge of T.A.N.S. in the U.S., Peter has also traveled extensively abroad to many field trials in France.

Two brand new members also joined the FBGDA Board of Directors on May 7, 2005. Robert Olson of Indiana and Brett Shipley of Kansas will serve as Directors in the coming year. Olson is an engineer by trade, and he and his wife Kim have served the Association in numerous capacities in recent years in connection with the organization of the national conformation shows and field trials. Bob and Kim have also been active in forming and helping to organize the Indiana local chapter. Bob has show an interest in leading and helping to develop the Association’s policies for communication via the internet and the club’s semi-annual magazine. These policies will be implemented through a Communications Committee, which is in formation. Bob is not a breeder, but enjoys hunting his dogs across the county and he and Kim also enjoy showing their dogs in UKC conformation shows.

New Board member, Brett Shipley and his wife Shelly, of Kansas have been loyal supporters of the Association for many years. Brett has chaired the Field Trial Committee for the Association’s national field trial the last two years. An avid dog trainer and bird hunter, Brett and his wife Shelley also breed Epagneul Bretons on a small scale. They also secured a UKC conformation championship last year with one of their personal favorites, Molly--- also a fine gun dog, who was the first dog in the U.S. to run in a U.K.C. Sanctioned Type (W) wild bird field trial.

Founding member and former Director Joyce Smith agreed to re-join the board for a period of one year to fill the remaining vacated board seat. She was requested to do so by the leadership in order to Chair a Committee Task Force for new-member recruitment. Joyce and her husband Ed, live in Indiana where Joyce has recently served as State President of the Indiana Federation of Republican Women. She has special skills and talents in both the areas of fundraising and membership development and equally enjoys socializing the Epagneul Breton pups that she and her spouse, Ed raise each year.

The new officers referenced above join Lynda Kieres of Montana who serves as Corporate Secretary. Board members R.L. Dalrymple of Oklahoma, Bob Luff of Nebraska and Ed Smith of Indiana continue to serve out the terms to which they were previously elected. Each of the newly appointed officers and directors were appointed by the Board to fill vacancies resulting from resignations pursuant to the FBGDA Constitution. They will serve until the next regularly scheduled FBGDA election in the spring of 2006. At that time, each position will be up for election to the remainder of each unexpired term for the respective office to which the persons were appointed.