Litter plans for 2024
Repeat breeding planned with Ruby and Andros in the Fall 2024. See the "Litters"page for more information.
What's new at Sun Country Bretons?
Teddy accomplishes AKC Master Hunter title with high scores!
(February 2022) Under difficult windy, dusty conditions, Teddy earned high scores for his final two Master Hunter tests. He scored a perfect 10 points for Honoring, 8 points for Retrieving, and 9's for Hunting, Bird Finding, Pointing, and Trainability. He made us proud!
TAN Josephine des Qui Coule Hannahatchee MH
February 24, 2014 - May 21, 2022
Our sassy, silly, sweet Josie departed in May after an unexpected short battle with cancer. We miss her dearly and will remember her for her passion, drive, and accomplishments in the field. She loved nothing more than searching for birds, then pointing them beautifully and waiting steadily for the retrieve. Every time she hunted, she proved that her AKC Master Hunter title was well deserved. She was an attentive mom to 37 puppies who will continue her legacy. Josie was a loyal and affectionate companion and we especially miss her hugs!
Summer litter arrives with surprises!
(July 20, 2022) We usually avoid having puppies in the heat of summer, but made an exception because of timing for Nellie. We were expecting four puppies because an x-ray last week showed four normal pups and one that looked underdeveloped. The first surprise came with the fourth puppy that was a strange green color at birth. We thought she was the last, but the next morning there were five! All puppies are doing well and the one stained green should fade to white very soon!
Tessie joins Sun Country Bretons
(September 2022) We are excited and grateful to add Tessie de Pays du Soleil to our Sun Country family! Previously called "Treasure," she is a sweetheart and a beauty, and she has so many awesome ancestors! Her sire, Unon de Keranlouan was an imported French dog, owned by R. L. Dalrymple of Rolling Red Prairie kennels in Oklahoma. He was from the renowned Keranlouan and Kerveillant kennels in France, and we chose this breeding to continue their quality French lines in both sides of Tessie's pedigree. Unon also sired our Bella Rose de Bretons du Pays "Rosie" who is Tessie's great grandmother as well as her half-sister. His sire Rapide de Kerveillant and Grandsire Luron de Kerveillant were famous French and International champions in their day. We are so fortunate to have these bloodlines in our current dogs and future offspring.
Read more about these famous dogs here: The Epagneul Breton Foundation, Inc.
Announcing - Ruby's first litter!
(January 22, 2023) Ruby's first litter of puppies, sired by Teddy, were delivered by c-section on January 19th. Mom and seven babies, four males and three females, are healthy, safe and sound, and we are thrilled! We were surprised that only one male is tricolored like Ruby and all others are orange and white like Teddy. We are excited to watch them grow!
TAN Bella Rose de Bretons du Pays MH
May 15, 2006 ~ April 25, 2023
(April 25, 2023) Our beloved Rosie passed just three weeks before her 17th birthday after a remarkable life. She was probably the best dog we've ever had, undoubtably our best hunting dog, full of spirit and passion for finding birds. She was an AKC titled Master Hunter and received honors in field trials in her younger years. She was a mother to 38 puppies, grandmother of 27, great grandmother of 20 and recent great-great grandmother of 7. There is an empty space in our hearts and we miss her dearly!
Penny's puppies have arrived!
(May 30, 2023) Penny kept us up all night before having her first puppy at 2:30 a.m. May 30th. By 5:30 in the morning, six beautiful puppies had arrived. The firstborn was a female, followed by five males! All are healthy and eating well. We have one male available!
See the Litters page for info on reserving a puppy.
See Photos...
Ruby and Tessie earn TAN titles!
(May 27, 2023) Ruby de Pays du Soleil and Tessie de Pays du Soleil earned their UKC TAN titles at an event sponsored by the Epagneul Bretons of the Southwest club at the end of May, judged by the Honorable Judge Josh Ruiter. The TAN (test of natural ability) requires young dogs, under age three, to show a natural desire to locate and point a bird in the field.
Tessie now has a page on our web site to acknowledge her accomplishment. See her page...
In memory... TAN Corentin des Grands Lacs MH
September 21, 2007 ~ July 9, 2023
(July 9, 2023) Less than three months after losing Rosie, we are grieving the loss of Cory. He was the last of our kennel’s founding generation. Cory earned his AKC Master Hunter title at age three and proved that he deserved it every time he went hunting. He excelled in field trials with the CEB-US and AZ Pointing Dog Club and was rated excellent in show four times under different French judges, winning Best of Breed at a regional show and ranking fourth in conformation for the breed in 2017. His photos were featured in an article “Speaking French” in Covey Rise magazine in 2015. We were proud of his accomplishments but loved him for his sweet disposition and loving nature.
Penny and Ruby succeed in field trial!
(October 2023) The EB Club of the Southwest held a UKC sponsored regional field trial October 21st-22nd which we participated in with our five dogs. Teddy and Nellie, our Master Hunters, ran and pointed beautifully, but broke on the shot and were disqualified! So, the youngsters, Penny and Ruby carried the day with Penny placing first and earning a CAC in the Open class and Ruby earning two second place passes RCAGs in the Gun class. Puppy Tessie participated simply to chase birds and gain experience. She and the observers had a great time! See videos...
Teddy, Penny and Ruby participate in CEB-US National field trials and show
(December 2023) We recently attended the Club de l'Epagneul Breton of the US annual national events held in Oklahoma December 12 - 16. It was a great opportunity to catch up with breeder friends, meet new club members and watch other talented and beautiful EBs perform in the field and the show ring. Teddy, Penny and Ruby participated, and with about 65 dogs competing, we were fortunate to bring home some ribbons. Birds were abundant in the fields, with bobwhite and valley quail and pheasants flushing wild and some dogs (like Penny) were overwhelmed with scent and just couldn't hold steady. Teddy also broke in his first run but came through on his last run, earning a pass in Open Braces. Ruby, who struggles with retrieving, pointed, held steady to shot, and retrieved perfectly in two runs in the Gun Solo trials. Ruby earned a second place pass RCAG and a Pass with Excellence in the Gun class, which completed the criteria for her GUN title. The judge from Denmark, complimented Don on Ruby's excellent run and the strong connection between the dog and handler. Teddy and Penny both earned passes in the Water Retrieve Test.
All three dogs were evaluated for confirmation and rated Excellent. Teddy and Ruby both placed third in their respective classes in the show. The judge was very detailed in his decisions and had a hard time choosing winners with so many beautiful dogs competing. See more event details and photos...
Spring 2024 field trial success!
(February - March 2024) Teddy, Penny and Ruby ran in the Open Class in two UKC field trials. Teddy and Ruby participated in the February 17 - 18 trial in Sonoita, Arizona hosted by Korthals Griffons Club where Teddy earned a 2nd Place Reserve RCAC. Teddy and Penny participated in the March 9 - 10 trials sponsored by the EB Club of the Southwest in Paulden, Arizona. Both dogs earned two passes and Penny's additions qualifies her for her TRIALER title.
Ruby receives her GUN title
(March 2024) Ruby's title certificate recently arrived in the mail, officially confirming her accomplishments in completing the criteria for the UKC GUN title. Ruby earned three Reserve placements (2nd place) and a Pass with Excellence to complete her title. We look forward to future accomplishments from her!
It's official!
(April 2024) Penny is officially a TRIALER!
She earned her final two passes in the Open Solo class at the EBs of the Southwest Field Trial March 9 - 10 to complete her title. She had previously earned a CAC (1st place) award at a UKC trial in October. Penny also earned her Water Retrieve Test award at the national CEB trials in December. We are so proud of our Penny!
Penelope de Pays du Soleil
(July 2024) Only three months after receiving her Trialer title, we were shocked and heartbroken to lose our Penny. She suddenly became ill from an aggressive infection and despite all possible efforts to save her, she passed on July 13th at the age of four years and ten months.
Penny had the best temperament of any dog we've ever had. She was calm and easy going and a joy as a companion. She was a best friend to all of our other dogs and a nurturing mother to her puppies. We were so proud of her field accomplishments and hunting abilities and will cherish the memories of her short but significant life.