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Jacolet Blue
(Nat. Dual Ch. Shenango Valley Dingo and Pizzaz)
when he won 2nd Place at the National Futurity in1970.
Owned by Perry Chisum trained/handled by Jim Holman.
He was the Derby record holder with 7 first place wins. |
From 1964 to 1982, I had the fortune to own and campaign a number of national caliber Brittanys. My active role in promoting the Dual Brittany bordered on obsessive during that eighteen year run with my focus being to develop a top line of Brittanys that could win in the field and in the show ring competing against the best in both venues. Fortunately, there were many people along the way that helped me and my dogs achieve those lofty goals, none more important than Delmar and Rick Smith. With their knowledge, commitment and dedication, my dogs were able to accomplish levels of achievement that had never been reached before (or since) by a Brittany. I believe that the performance of my dogs validates the time and effort that was spent to meet those goals.
Since the mid 80’s, my involvement with the ABC at a national level has been curtailed and most of my Brittany activities have been centered around upland bird hunting and participation with the ABC regional clubs in the Northwest. Hunting was the reason I originally got into Brittanys and field trialing provided me with a process to keep my dogs in shape for hunting season. To this end, hunting with a stylish Brittany has remained my passion throughout my adult life. Today my hunting buddy is “Gink”, a six year old bitch out of Nolan’s Last Bullet (“Buddy”)- a Brittany who set the bar high in NSTRA against other pointing breeds. His recent ABC Hall of Fame induction and recognition is well deserved. (It should be noted that “Buddy” is a product of the Delmar/Rick Smith breeding lines and includes my dog, Pacolet Cheyenne Sam.) Having a pedigree like Gink’s is very important to me and is the essence of what promoting the Brittany is about. Even though Gink has five show points and field trial placements, I will probably not finish her or breed her. I enjoy running her occasionally in a field trial to support the sponsoring club, to meet old and new friends and to see new dogs.
My involvement with the Brittany has been a life-long commitment, one that will continue as long as I can chase a covey of chukar up and down the canyons of the western United States. The Brittany has proven itself to be the ultimate dual dog by competing at a championship level in the show ring and the field. I feel fortunate to have been able to make a contribution to our breed in this regard and appreciate the opportunity I had to do so.
