[Jack Johnson]

Bruce's story of the " Bouncing French Brittney's" reminded me of a story . I am involved in HRC and AKC retriever hunt tests and compete as well as judge. Not too long ago a handler brought a Boykin to the line at a test I was judging. Now to paint a picture of a hunt test there are common tasks in the three levels , started , seasoned and finished . That commonality is retrieving a sighted mark on land and water. Well the distance from the line to were the bird was thrown was about 60 yards in knee high cover. This would not be any problem for a Lab or a Chessie , but for a 25 to 30 lb Boykin. Well let me tell you , these little brown firecrackers may be small in stature but don't tell them. That little Boykin would run about ten steps bounce in the air to get her bearing and run some more until it got to where the bird was . She then established a hunt by smell and retrieved the bird . As I said I am a Lab guy but after that day I have a soft spot for Boykins .