CLUB information
While the breed has been popular
in the USA for many years starting first with the original
imports during the 1920's. The Breed has been reintroduced
to the hunting public with even more recent imports starting
again in the late 1960's and early 1970's..
The renewed focus on imports was mostly due to a perceived
change in the existing stock that had taken root in the
USA under the guidance of American fanciers; where the
focus, it was felt, had shifted away from the ideals of
the founders of the breed, most notably in acceptance
of the many corrections to the original standard of the
breed (which included the color black) until its present
form that was adopted most recently in April 2001.
In the USA early importers used foundation stock consisting
of only Orange & Liver heritage without any Black
dogs or dogs they thought did not have Black genes, and
selectively removed the black color if it appeared. This
in part came about due to the Early days in France where
erroneously Black was excluded from the 2nd standard by
the then officer in charge of the 'spaniel' clubs who
was familiar with only the 'French Spaniels' who did not
have black in their heritage. But, Epagneul Bretons have
ALWAYS had Black in their makeup since the very beginning
evidenced in the CEB (Club Epagneul Breton -France) studbooks.
Actually Orange was introduced later from English dogs
and popularized in the late 1920-30's, it was about this
time when imports started coming into the USA. Due to
traditions on both sides the lines have become somewhat
distinct in their own right, with the American Brittany
Breeders introducing no new dogs since the 50's, and maintaining
adherence to "old erroneous standards" such
that Black has NEVER been re-introduced into American
Brittany lines.
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In the late 60's early 70's there was a resurgence of importing
European dogs into the USA by hunters wanting something
different or feeling that importing new lines would or could
better their "style" of hunting dogs. With this
there have been some crossing between the 'strains' but
mainly those who advocate the true 'Epagneul Breton' as
well as those who prefer the 'American' wish to keep the
two separated. The officers of the CEB-USA are
dedicated to the Epagneul Breton breed, and are committed
to the highest standards of selection and wish to educate
others on the virtues of careful selection and keeping
the breed as close to its original designs as possible,
as well as keeping it as genetically sound as possible.
We believe that in order to do this, breeders must focus
on both the performance and conformation aspects at the
same time and not select only one of the attributes, and
do genetic health screens that are possible and are available
to breeders.
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