My husband and I were involved with the National Shoot to Retrieve Field Trial Association (NSTRA) for ten years with three Brittanys. We never had big winners, although we did have two dogs go to National Trial Events. For us and our dogs, it was a learning opportunity and a chance to build friendships with like-minded dog owners. It gave our dogs an avenue for competition without the need for being on horseback since NSTRA Trials are walking field trials.

We were members of the Southern California NSTRA Region which held their field trials in the Tejon Pass area, north of LA. Many of the members of our region would camp for the two days when trials took place. We held potlucks in the evening in a big tent and shared the work of putting on the trial. We developed friendships through that camaraderie that we maintain despite many of us having moved to other areas. We also shared knowledge regarding our dogs and breeds. Our “NSTRA Friends” were often our first go-to people when we were seeing an issue with a dog.

NSTRA was started by a group of hunters in the late 1960s. They were looking for a way to extend the upland bird hunting season from a few weeks to a longer period of time. Their goal was to foster the growth of quality walking field trials. All pointing breed dogs were, and still are, eligible to participate.* In 1978, NSTRA was incorporated as a non-profit association with service to members and sportsmanship as its goals.

Over the last 40 years NSTRA has developed as an organization that sponsors walking field trials across the United States and central Canada. There are now 30 regions that offer membership and hold trials throughout the year, depending on the weather in a region. NSTRA encourages member involvement in training and judging. Judging seminars are held annually in the regions. Each region elects officers to oversee trials and make sure that trials follow NSTRA standards. Seasoned members in many regions will mentor new members and their dogs.

NSTRA encourages family participation. There are reduced membership prices for associate members which are usually spouses and children. The minimum age to be in the field during a trial is 10 and the minimum age for a member to gun for themselves during a trial is 16, with the possession of a current Hunter’s Safety Course card.

Dogs are paired in a brace during NSTRA trials. Each brace is a 30-minute walking trial in a specific field with a judge following and scoring the dog and handler. Judges typically trade the handler/dog they are judging midway through the brace to support a more equal judging of dogs and handlers.

Dogs involved in NSTRA trials earn points by placing in the top three positions in a local trial or the top four positions of regional and national trials. For every 18 points, nine of which must be first place placements, a dog earns a championship. There is also an amateur program in some regions that allows younger/newer dogs to earn an amateur championship before competing in more open trials. There are five National Championship Competitions held by NSTRA each year.

Judging criteria includes:

• Find Score
• Retrieve Score
• Obedience Score
• Ground Coverage Score
• Back Score

Click here for further explanation of NSTRA scoring

For more information about NSTRA visit their web site:

* Neutered/Spayed dogs can run and compete in NSTRA. Dogs running in NSTRA must be registered. This usually means American Kennel Club (AKC) registration or a similar registration if the pointing breed is not recognized by AKC. Rescue dogs can be registered, and there are ways to follow up on an AKC registration for a dog if you have an AKC Registration number or an AKC litter registration. Contact NSTRA for further information or assistance if you have questions.

Remembering Woody

[Editor’s note: Woody crossed the Bridge in his bed at home in early August. Both his forever family and his foster mom wrote to us in their loss.]

Woody has been such a wonderful part of our family and lives for the last 12 years. He was an ABR rescue that fosters Joann and Richard Kissell got him from Ft. Leonard Wood, thus the name Woody.

I often, over the years, recall how Joann Kissel told us that he was "LOVABLE." He certainly was. Not only with us, and family and friends, but also with Kelly, his predecessor, and with Maize. They have been joined at the hip since day one. They have two beds in the living room, as well as another two in our room, but they often chose to sleep in the same one together. 

Almost from the beginning, when Maize wanted to go outside, she would go out onto the deck, then stop and look back to see where Woody was, and wouldn't continue until he came out and joined her. She has continued doing it over the last week [since he passed]. The first few times it hit me by surprise and I lost it. I expect it now, so I follow her out in his place. When one or both of us would come home Woody would always be by the door and stick his nose out of the doorway as soon as we could get it open. The first few times that we came home and Woody was not sticking his head out were rough also.

I can't thank you all enough for what you do to help find good forever homes for these guys and gals and to also bring many years of sunshine and love into our lives.

-Bob and Nanci Hawkins

____________

My first foster was Woody. I was sent to Fort Leonard Wood to pick up a Brittany mix at the animal shelter there. My first mission. After several tries, I made it past the guards at the gate and followed the signs to animal rescue. They welcomed me and brought out this crazy brown dog. I said, “He’s a Brittany?” As I walked him to my car, he was doing cartwheels at the end of the rope. I thought, “What have I gotten myself into?”

We rode 90 minutes home together to Springfield, and on the way he and I settled on the name of Woody. The shelter people said he was a comedian, and he was from Fort Wood.

We loved him! Woody and I would sit on the top step of the deck every morning, arm and arm, and plan our day. Richard wanted to keep him. He and Woody built an extension to our outdoor kennel so he could stay. I said, we can’t fail on our first foster!

So, I sorted through the many applicants who wanted to adopt him, and connected with Bob and Nanci. She said she saw Woody’s picture on the website and said to Bob, "How about this guy?"

So Woody went to live with Bob and Nanci. He loved the water! Went on boat rides, went swimming and hung out on the dock. Such a perfect match for 12-13 years!

Woody died suddenly at home last week in his bed, probably from a heart event. Bob, Nanci, Richard and I are so sad. As is Maize, his companion.

-Joann Kissell

Through advancements in veterinary medicine we’ve seen a drastic increase in lifespan of dogs. This means potentially more years with our best friends- and ideally- more healthy years! So, what should we be thinking about to maintain pet health?

• Veterinary Care - yearly wellness exams and vaccinations go a long way in catching issues early or even preventing illness.
• Training and Socialization - proper training allows dogs to be good citizens when out and about with you and in the home. Training is an excellent time to build trust between you and your dog too! Socialization - especially for puppies - is important for them to properly interact with other dogs, people, and other household pets.
• Healthy weight - maintaining a healthy weight throughout life has been shown in dogs to extend their lifespan and delay the onset of health conditions that occur with aging. Opportunities for exercise, including on and off-leash, give your dog both the mental and physical exercise they need. We all know our Britts are high energy dogs and need the ability to exercise those Brittany legs!

SPIKE - 9/15/2022

HEDLEE - 9/20/2022

RUSTY - 9/23/2022

When master quilter and ABR long-time volunteer Mariann Jackson spotted this gorgeous limited edition fabric, her “lights went on!” She knew the border pattern “Delectable Mountains” in blue, green, and teal proved perfect for nature, woods, and Brittany lovers like us.

Crafted of 100% cotton, Mariann’s latest creation measures a generous 61 by 61 and includes a sewn-in bar insert for easy hanging. We appreciate Mariann’s continued generosity as she lovingly creates and donates these stunners each year. 

Raffle tickets for this original masterpiece are $5 each. TICKETS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 12, 2022.The drawing is on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at the ABC Nationals.

Download your tickets from our website by clicking on the button below and submit them through the mail.

Support ABR and add some cheer to your home for the holidays! We are partnering again with Three Rivers Wreath and Plant Company to offer high-quality holiday greenery to our ABR supporters. All Three Rivers wreaths are hand-made and double-faced (built on both sides of the metal ring), with real balsam fir greens. 

Three Rivers shares as much as $10.00 for each sale with ABR to provide money for Brittanys in our care. Thank you for supporting ABR!

The wreath sale runs now through December 2nd!

Saturday, September 10, we held our annual ABR Picnic for volunteers, adopters, and Brittany lovers at the Green Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville, IL. It was a wonderful Sunny day, filled with good eats, our annual Raffle and supreme fellowship among great Britt people. 

ABOUT AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE

American Brittany Rescue, Inc. is an organization that was formed in 1991 as a cooperative effort of Brittany owners, breeders, trainers, and fanciers who ABR believes have a responsibility not only for their own dogs and the dogs they produce, but for the breed as a whole.

THE AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE MISSION

ABR's mission is to provide the leadership and expertise via a network of trained volunteers to take in stray, abandoned, surrendered and/or impounded purebred Brittanys, provide them with foster care, health and temperament screening, an opportunity for any necessary rehabilitation and to assure their health and placement into new homes. In order to fulfill this mission, ABR's volunteers remain flexible and adaptable to current and future business environments and they remain dedicated to the organization.  

ABR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Terry Mixdorf, President

Terrie Johnson, Vice President

Joe Herslip, Secretary

Jeanette Seely, Interim Treasurer

Sandra Oelschlegel, Chair

Diana Doiron

Deb Grove

Nancy Hensley

Michelle Falkinburg

Melissa Tapply DiLello

AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE E-NEWSLETTER TEAM

Brittany Boler

Christine Brennan

Jeannine Connors

Judie Cutting

Kristin Davis

Autumn Fenton

Linda Joyce

Melissa Tapply DiLello

Debra White