2002 NATIONALS

	We were honored to have the President of the Club de l'Epagneul Breton of Ireland, Kate Bride, as our guest and judge at the meeting. Mrs. Bride is a fully accredited all-around gun dog judge in Europe, Scandanavia, and Australia. She also has her French certificate as a Breed Specialist for judging the epagnuel breton conformation (beauty) shows in France, as an examiner for confirmations and has judged many AKC events here in the states as well. Ms. Bride (Pairknaglos kennel) is also a long time breeder of epagneul bretons in Ireland. We were also honored to have members present from Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Georgia, Oklahoma, Montana, Virginia, Utah, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Indiana and, of course, Ireland! There were about 50 people and a like number of dogs at the events this year. Some of the dogs were entered in the T.A.N., some in the show and some in both. The total dog - a working dog bred within the standard and for its natural ability. It was especially uplifting to see how the conformation shows have sparked interest and opened an avenue for the wives and children to participate with the dogs.
A group shot of some of the members in attendance on the steps of the 1909 school house where the Membership meeting was held.	The meeting kicked off with a warm welcome to everyone and an introduction of this year's guests and newly elected officers, a run down on the schedule for the weekend, and the business aspects of the meeting. President Bill Dillon gave the membership a status report on the petition to the AKC and ABC and reported on the trip to France and Ireland. The formation of regional chapters of the club was discussed, as were the club's field trials, events and members' questions. Included in the seminar topics were the importance of correct positioning for hip x-rays, a presentation on the Bob White quail's history, habitat and life cycle, including a slide presentation and Kate Bride's open floor Question and Answer session. Kate also demonstrated to the members how to stand your dog in a conformation show and put on a "hands on" grooming seminar.

Some 1st Place FBGDA members!	After the formal meeting and the seminars were concluded, the meeting reconvened at the Dalrymple farm for the conformation show, the T.A.N. (held on Sunday) and for the confirmation of member's dogs. Kate being awarded a thank you gift on behalf of the club.
Click on the links provided below to view TAN results, Show results and lots of great pictures.
T.A.N. (Natural ability test)	2002 National Epagneul Breton Specialty (Conformation (beauty) Show) Epagneul Breton Club U.S.A. French Brittany Gun Dog Association of America, Inc.