LOIS MCCRACKEN
6
AMERICAN WATER SPANIELS FIELD WORK
Some competitors knew what they wanted to do and chose a breed for it abilities and versatility . Breeder and owner of BIS and Master Hunter American Water Spaniels , Lois McCracken found the breed because she and her husband wanted to hunt dove and duck , and the AWS fit their needs . At one of her first hunt tests , a hunt test and breed judge encouraged her to pursue conformation . Lois likes the tradition of hunting with her dogs and feels it brings out the best attributes in her dogs .
ADRIENNE BANCKER
7
WELSH SPRINGER SPANIELS FIELD WORK
Adrienne Bancker , owner and handler of BIS and group placing Welsh Springers that also compete in obedience and agility , remembers not many competition choices when she started . “ There wasn ’ t a big choice of AKC Companion Events — it was breed , obedience and tracking .” She went looking for a medium-sized dog that could do conformation as well as whatever else she chose to try . She chose her breed because “ based on the standard , there was nothing the Welsh Springer Spaniel could not do . It was a simple , functional dog .”
MARCH 2017 DOGS IN REVIEW 107