Training a dog for field trials and hunting events is a process that requires a lot of discipline and skill, on the part of dog and sportsman. During his years in the sport, Kent Patterson has fielded a number of dogs that certainly rank among the famous dogs of Franklin. (See related story on Kent’s involvement with the Music City Brittany Club.)

Pistol Pete (call name Pete) has excelled in both national and regional events. Pete was Runner-up Champion at the 2008 American Brittany Club National Amateur Championship in Booneville, AR.  Pete also was the top qualifier in the Deep South Brittany Free-For-All Championship in 2006.

Kent also trained a five-time American Field Champion, One-N-Only (call name Butch). His wins included the American Brittany Club National Amateur Championship in 2007,  back-to-back wins in 2006 and 2007 in the Deep South Free-For-All, the Southern Open Brittany Championship in 2008 and the Region 19 Amateur Championship in Bonesteel, SD in 2006.

Tragically, it was while running the Deep South Free-For-All outside Selma, AL in February 2009 that 7-year-old Butch fell victim to an accident with a car….one of the great all-age dogs in the breed.

Being a supporter of a particular dog breed frequently includes participating in a local or regional chapter of the breed’s parent club. It is the national parent club that compiles the written breed standard honored by the American Kennel Club.

A favorite among sportsmen, the Brittany is celebrated in both field and conformation events. These versatile dogs have no better friend than Franklin resident Kent Patterson. Kent is secretary/treasurer of the regional Music City Brittany Club and also represents the East Central Region as a member of the board of directors of the American Brittany Club, the breed sponsor group for both the American Kennel Club and the American Field, two of the most significant breed registries in the country.

“The Music City Brittany Club is primarily a horseback field trial club with events held in mid-November and early March,” Kent explains. “We sponsor the Dixieland Brittany Championship in November.”

The club is made up of about 40 members in southern Kentucky and middle and west Tennessee. Kent himself has seven dogs and stays active in field trials and hunting.

http://www.musiccitybrittanyclub.org/

Helping owners fully enjoy their dogs is a goal of Franklin dog. As her Belgian Tervuren would tell you (if he could), Sarah Karafa has found so many different ways to do just that.

With obedience training, rally, agility, conformation ring work and just playing, Sarah keeps Wyatt — and herself — busy with a slate of activities.

Wyatt and Sarah didn’t meet up by accident.

“When I decided I wanted to get a dog, I did a great deal of homework first. I started my research on the AKC website (www.akc.org),” she explains.

“I read everything I could about finding the right dog for me and then developed a ’short list’ of dogs that I was interested in.”

Sarah then went to see breeds firsthand at conformation shows and talked to handlers and owners.

“Once I saw the Belgian Tervuren in person and considered ALL of the breed characteristics and temperament, well, as they say, that was it — I was hooked!”

Because the breed thrives on activity, Sarah says the rest was a ‘given.’

As the primary trainer, caretaker and playmate, it’s also Sarah’s responsibility to get everyone in the household responding to good and bad behavior in a consistent manner.

“I ran into a gentleman recently who had stopped to talk to me about dogs. He told me he had three children who had begged him for a dog. Part of his agreement with them, which they accomplished, was that he had all three children take the dog to training classes. Now THAT’S responsible dog ownership!” says Sarah.

If you were to run into Sarah and Wyatt walking in the Grassland area,  you’d think they’ve been at this for years. But this young dog started classes only last July, when he was a mere 12 weeks old.  “Even if you don’t end up doing competitive dog sports, basic obedience and responsible dog ownership classes set the groundwork for a well-mannered, happy companion that you’ll have a partnership and loving relationship with for years to come,” Sarah feels.

And being properly mastered is what it means to be a true Franklin dog!