Leo's Story - “Love at First Sight”

March 8, 2008 during the FBGDA National Specialty show, NBOB CH TAN Topperlyn Gallant Bodacious Aka “Leo“ was awarded the title of “National Best of Breed”. It was the first time in the history of the French Brittany Gun Dog Association a father and son have been awarded the NBOB titles. Leo is out of NBOB GRCH TAN Beau de l’Hospitalier x CH Sierra de l’Escarbot.

When a big win happens, it always has a surprise element and is very delightful. We knew that he had a great chance to do well. We also knew that the competition was tough and several dogs had potential to win. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and each judge selects their favorite. When Leo walked into the show ring during the champion class, his personality was shining through. His happy and pleasing attitude is our favorite trait. Leo has a very calm personality and is eager to do what is asked of him.

The first time Anne saw Leo, was through a video. After watching the 3 month old pup jump into a small swimming pool and retrieve a duck, it was love at first sight. He was only 3 months old. He was a beautiful little puppy who carried his head high and strutted around with a “smile”. After some prodding, due to hesitation to buy another puppy, Glen reluctantly viewed the video. Living in town with 2 Epagnuel Bretons was already challenging and owning one more seemed difficult and a little stupid. It was decided that this not just another “puppy”, this pup was viewed as a great opportunity.  After some discussion and agreement was reached, a strategy was developed for persuading Topperlyn to sell the puppy. A person could wait years on many waiting lists without a puppy of this caliber being an option. After a fair amount of pleading, Topperlyn collapsed and offered Leo for purchase.

In his young life, Leo has attained many notable achievements both in the show ring and in the field.

At 6 months of age, Leo entered a show and won the best of breed. He then achieved 2^nd place in the Gun Dog group out of a total of six breeds. The judge was reluctant to place a “puppy” but stated that the puppy was going to develop into an excellent dog and would win confirmation shows upon reaching adulthood.

During September of 2006, Leo was tested in the Midwest Tri-States Chapter of NAVHDA in South Dakota where he ran in the Natural Ability Test. At the age of 7.5 months Leo was awarded 102 points Prize II.

In the fall of 2006, Leo entered the UKC Liberated Bird Trial in Montana sponsored by the Big Sky Epagneul Breton Gundog club. At the age of 8 months, has was awarded 1^st place in the Gundog Stake. Leo went on point and held steady as the bird was walking around in plain view. His point become very tense, but he did not break. He had a perfect run and was steady to wing and shot and delivered the bird to hand.

At the 2007 FBGDA National Event in Arizona, Leo was awarded a pass in the open solo liberated class at 14 months old.

During the March of 2007 FBGDA Conclave in Arizona, he was awarded first place for Junior male of his variety. He was defeated in best male by his Topperlyn (step) brother. He became a show champion at the 2007 UKC Premier in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Interest in the breed was started when during the 1996 Anoka Game Fair in Minnesota, Glen saw an intriguing dog named “Crocket” owned by Bill Dillion. After the game fair, Glen did research and liked the closer working, versatility, disposition and smaller size of the Epagnuel Breton. An Epagneul Breton seemed to be a great choice to replace 12 year old American Brittany, Kizzy, who was becoming too old for the serious (fanatical) (obsessive) hunting activity that Glen maintains. Then in 2004, a tri-color female was purchased from Hunrunr.

After attending the National Conclave in Armour South Dakota, we were hooked. Having the chance to meet the club members and the chance to see the beauty of “Beau” and “Dr. Watson”, we knew that we had to have one more Epagnuel Breton. We ordered a female puppy, Azure, from Topperlyn.

All three have wonderful personalities and are very much a part of the family. In addition to their love of hunting, they all enjoy swimming and boating on hot days, laying by the campfire at night or snuggling up watching hunting shows. They are all very loyal dogs and have personalities that are eager to please us. We are so delighted that we picked this breed!

The future for Leo is to continue with field trials and shows. We may tempt him with a couple of pretty ladies in the future. The ultimate “dream” is to title him in the field and achieve grand champion status in the show. That’s a lot to ask from the same little dog that cuddles on the couch begging to be scratched, oblivious to our dream for him.