Epagneul Breton Working Standard
From Société Centrale Canine (French Kennel Club) 155 Avenue Jean Jaurés
3535 Aubervilliers CEDEX
France
Member of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)
{Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI): official worldwide registration of the Epagneul Breton}
Translated from French to English by the Honorable Reynald Lefebvre, Field Trial Judge (France, Canada, USA)
The Epagneul Breton : an energetic and intelligent dog, with a keen eye. Petite Cob Gait.
{Keen eye: a special ability to notice or recognize a particular thing or quality.}
{Petite Cob Gait: “light on its feet” (not bouncy) maintains a tight movement with a straight backline while running, a short extension from the body of the rear legs in one fluid compact motion.}
Happy, alert, lively, with an energetic and rolling gallop; a fast succession of short movements. A long extended gallop or gallop piqué* is prohibited.
* “Gallop piqué” means when the dog appears as if it is plunging forward with its head first and the front legs are digging in and pounding the ground heavily to drive the dog forward.
{A long extended gallop is that of an English Setter}
Carriage of the Head
The head must be held high without exaggeration above the topline. The top lines of the skull and muzzle are slightly inclined. The head is always mobile showing confidence and a constant olfactory flexibility in the search of the game. However, in certain difficult scenting conditions, occasional rapid scenting of the ground is acceptable.
{Olfactory: Relating to the sense of smell}
{Proper head carriage is passed on from generations, it can be slightly modified with training techniques. If in the event dogs are tested in venues to track game and reproductive selections are based upon its success the proper head carriage in future generations will dissolve. Testing and selection for Carriage of the Head is paramount as it maintains the exceptional quality of the Epagneul Breton nose and enhances the ability to block birds}
The Hunt
The search of the game must be intelligent and methodical, without being mechanical, showing that the dog is hunting intensively and constantly, adapting itself to the cover and the type of terrain in such a way as to stay in contact with the handler.
{Intelligent search includes the ability to block or stalemate running birds in short cover}
{Mechanical search is the result of an overly trained dog}
The Point
As he detects the scent of a bird, after a quick confirmation of the location of the scent, the dog must go boldly to the game to block it with authority. The Epagneul Breton on point is standing up, even when the point is made spontaneously. However, in a sudden point made by surprise, a different posture will be tolerated on the condition that the forehead is held high in the game’s direction, showing that the dog is dominating it.
A dog pointing with his belly close to the ground, no matter what the situation, is not acceptable.
{A dog that lowers it’s body to the ground is a genetic act of an English Setter}
The Couler [pronounced “Koo-lay”] (Following the game or relocating).
Done on command of the handler, it must be immediate but decisive, and careful to maintain
contact with the handler and the game until the game is flushed.
The refusal to couler on command is a serious fault (unless the game is very close).
The Retrieve
On land or in deep water, the retrieve is done happily and quickly with no hesitation.