ABC National Gun Dog Championships

A National Gun Dog Championship stake appealed to many club members who were participating in the ABC Gun Dog Classic as well as regional gun dog stakes during the late 70's and early 80's. With increased interest in walking gun dog stakes and retrieving in the east and west coast clubs, it appeared that some efforts should be made to make a championship stake a reality. These efforts were spearheaded by the Nebraska Brittany Club. During this period of time the AKC held steadfast to opposing the licensing of an ABC Gun Dog Championship Stake which would be an addition to the already recognized Open All Age and Amateur All Age Championships. The following is a brief sequence of events and highlights leading up to the first running of the Championship in the spring of 1985 and the running of 1986.

At the 1983 Board of Directors meeting, a motion was made that the ABC apply to AKC for permission to have a National Gun Dog Championship stake and that the president of ABC draft recommendations to the AKC to be guided by four proposals from the Nebraska Brittany Club. The formal application did not change AKC's opposing position. A National Gun Dog Championship Committee was appointed by the president to develop viable plans and guidelines to implement an ABC National Gun Dog Championship as soon as possible.

The Board meeting in 1984 brought on more involvement and specifics. The National Gun Dog Championship Committee Chairman presented for approval a proposed hand crafted set of guidelines consisting of sanctioning by ABC, a site, retrieving stakes, fees, trophies, qualifications, etc., for a National caliber stake. The guidelines were approved. The Board approved the Nebraska Brittany Club to hold the first championship event in the Spring of 1985. The championship was billed as a one hour Walking Limited Gun Dog Stake run under the Rules and Procedure of the AKC with the winner to be recognized by the ABC as the ABC National Gun Dog Champion for 1985.

The inaugural running of the championship was held at the Branched Oak Reservoir Field Trial Grounds near Raymond, Nebraska, on May 8 and 9, 1985. Twenty-eight dogs from fourteen states and one from Canada were entered. Twenty-seven dogs completed the one hour walking stake under moderate to hot weather conditions. Overall bird contact was exceptionally high. The grounds were in good condition for hunting. A permanent rotating trophy was donated by Charlie and Marge Ayres of Ramona, CA. They also donated a keeper trophy. The always full gallery wagon added spice and interest during the running. The clubhouse comforts and environment added to the enjoyment of all. 

At the 1985 Board of Directors meeting, the Nebraska Club was approved to be host of the 1986 National Gun Dog championship. This approval was based on a change in procedure wherein the host club provided two judge's marshalls who would serve as bird spotters as well as perform limited scouting when directed by a judge. In addition, qualification s for the championship to coincide with Chapter 17, Section 2 of the AKC Standard Rules and Procedures covering a Limited Gun Dog Stake were approved.

The first National Gun Dog Championship was run on May 3-4, 1986. All activities and accommodations were the same as in 1985. There were twenty entries, considerably less than in 1985. However, a quality stake prevailed. Bird contact exceeded all expectations. The winner, Bernie V, CD owned and handled by B. Zamora, pointed birds eleven times with good manners and his retrieve was flawless. 

The 1986 Board of Directors approved the Championship Committee's suggestion that the rotation plan previously set forth be implemented. The ensuing years found the Gun Dog Nationals being held in Michigan, Kentucky, Nevada, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska. 

At the 1995 Board of Directors meeting, it was voted to amend the By-laws to create a 4th Vice President to be responsible for the ABC Gun Dog Nationals. At the same time the Board voted to approach the Michigan group for the purpose of making the Ionia site the permanent home of this event. Both the amendment and request were approved and in 1996 the Gun Dog Nationals returned to Ionia under the direction of the new 4th Vice President.

At the 2000 Board of Directors meeting, it was voted to split the Gun Dog Nationals to an Open Gun Dog Championship where horseback handling would be allowed and an Amateur Gun Dog Championship which would be foot handled only. 

There have been four two-time winners of the National Gun Dog Championship: FC/AFC Jessen's Lit'l Dab of Dude, FC/AFC Magnum's Masked Man, FC/AFC Winchester of Hanging Jaze and FC/AFC JDZ Roc's Ardent Boomer.

There have been two two-time winners of the National Amateur Gun Dog Championship: DC/AFC Calistar Del Prado and FC/AFC Clyde's Double Trouble.