Now What? From Insight to Action

The CEB-US remains energized by the insight, challenge, and encouragement shared by José Luis Recondo (the international leader of the breed and President of the AICEB). The blog post reflecting on his perspective has prompted thoughtful, positive debate about how we can strengthen our community and advance the breed.

So… now what?

We’re moving forward with focus — shaping priorities, launching initiatives, and putting that inspiration to work for the future of the Epagneul Breton in the U.S. Learn why this matters to you, and how you can be part of what comes next.

A Breed Rooted in Natural Expectations

One of José’s strongest themes throughout the week was a return to the natural essence of the Epagneul Breton. He reminded us that, above all else, the Breton is a hunting dog — a bird dog meant to excel in the upland prairies, the north woods, the southern pines, and the western deserts. It is a breed built on a balance of field performance and physical conformation, and our responsibility is to preserve both. [New to the uplands? Here are some tips to prepare you and your EB.]

While field trials and conformation shows offer vital benchmarks — tangible tools to track trends and ensure consistency across generations — they are only part of the bigger picture. The true measure of the Breton is how it performs in the wild and how its form supports that function.

Unlike many other breeds that have split into show and field lines, or adopted Americanized standards, the Epagneul Breton has stayed unified under the European tradition. This commitment to a single, dual-purpose dog is what has created the breed's consistent excellence — and we must protect it.

José’s reminder was clear: stay focused, stay balanced, and don’t allow one aspect of the dog — be it trial results, pedigree status, or flashy training — to overshadow the whole. We thank our breeders for carrying this torch and are galvanized by his call to continue that stewardship with renewed purpose. What can you do? Take your Breton hunting. Enter a field trial. Step into the show ring. Every experience you give your dog — and every effort you make to expand your own knowledge — strengthens our understanding of the breed. Testing and proving your dog’s abilities today helps preserve and improve the Epagneul Breton for generations to come. [Read about a member's first field trial experience.]

Reinvigorating the TAN

One of the most immediate takeaways was José’s strong emphasis on natural ability, particularly showcased in the TAN. While changes to the TAN’s structure would require coordination with UKC, both the Field Trial and Judges Committees have begun early conversations around refreshing the messaging and prominence of the TAN.

Rather than focusing on rule changes, the initial approach is centered on revitalizing the story of the TAN — why it was created, what it reveals about the dog, and why it should be a source of pride, not just a stepping stone. The 2025 Conclave already made significant progress by giving the TAN its own dedicated day — lifting it out of the shadow of more advanced trials.

Looking ahead, we will continue working with these committees, along with the Marketing and Communications Committees, to engage regional clubs in telling this story more broadly. By aligning messaging, creating educational materials, and celebrating TAN achievers, we hope to bring this vital event back to the forefront of our breed culture.

Building Better Data in Conformation

José’s emphasis on the cobby structure and deep chest of the Epagneul Breton sparked another important shift. During the Specialty Show, he measured each dog’s chest circumference — looking for at least 10 cm more than the dog’s height at the withers — a key indicator of the breed’s correct structure.

In response, a request has been made to the Conformation Committee to begin formally recording chest circumference during evaluations. While this would not become part of the official breed standard, it would provide valuable data for tracking trends and minimizing subjectivity between confirmateurs. Right now, chest is evaluated by feel — adding a tape measurement would increase objectivity and build a long-term dataset for breed evaluation.

The committee continues to carefully weigh the implications of this addition, considering how it might impact evaluations, logistics, and long-term analysis. If adopted, it could be a meaningful step toward strengthening the scientific basis for evaluating this key aspect of the Breton’s form and function. [Read about why the conformation standard is so important.]

Strength in Numbers: Committees Rebuilt

Another highlight of José’s visit was his recognition of the community spirit within CEB-US. That momentum has continued: we’re excited to report that nearly all committee seats are now filled — a major turnaround from last year when vacancies outweighed appointments. With this infusion of fresh energy, diverse talents, and broader geographic representation, our club is now better equipped than ever to engage members locally and support the Board’s mission of deploying resources across the country to protect and promote the breed.

A Renewed Commitment to Breeders

José was clear: the breeder community is the tip of the spear when it comes to preserving the Epagneul Breton’s heritage. His words aligned perfectly with the ongoing work of the Board and its volunteer task force to revamp the CEB-US Breeder Program. This updated approach is aimed at better engagement for breeders, owners, and testing venues — creating more opportunities to align with the breed standard, emphasize natural ability, and support education. This project has been in motion for over a year and is reaching its final stages. José’s praise for the overall quality and consistency of our American Bretons only added fuel to the fire. We hope to make a formal announcement soon.

Pedigree Database: Accuracy First

Another major initiative that aligns with José’s call for informed breeding is the CEB-US Online Pedigree Database, which remains in beta testing. This tool will allow members to research lineages and make thoughtful pairings based on health, performance, and conformation. However, because accuracy is everything, our task force is triple-checking every entry before public release. The project has taken longer than expected, but we are committed to launching a reliable, high-quality resource before the end of the year.

José Luis Recondo left us with a challenge — to preserve what makes the Epagneul Breton unique and exceptional. His praise was well-earned, but his critiques were clear: we must not settle. From TAN improvements to pedigree tools and everything in between, CEB-US is taking his guidance seriously.

The legacy of the breed depends on it.