Don Bramwell Biography

I wish I had a dollar for each time I have heard “All I wanted was a hunting dog.”  However, our old springer, which was purchased from Senility Kennels via a magazine ad, was deaf and new blood was needed.  She was simply a hunting dog which tended to run “really big” and would always eat a portion of her retrieves.  I thought all dogs did that, but it didn’t make any difference as I thought the world of her. Through Gene Falkowski we bought our replacement “hunting dog” and joined the KS club, which was in its infancy.  I had no idea what a field trial was but I was intrigued with the training and impressed with the abilities of the dogs.  We had no idea that our lives were about to be indelibly changed.  We didn’t realize that it wasn’t a cheap sport, however, after 23 years and a few hundred field trials, I would not trade it for the extensive intertwining relationship with springer people across the US and Canada, which we enjoy beyond words. I have been bestowed with a lot of honors over the years, including that we have three different National High Point dogs that share our household today, but it wouldn’t be complete without the mention of my skinny, little brown dog called “Pie” (Ms American Pie).  I could list her many accomplishments but suffice it to say that she amassed a total of 237 all-age points and was voted into the Bird Dog Hall of Fame in 2009.  Now that I have finally satisfied my wife’s hounding (our National Secretary) to write this bio, I would like to wish each of you the very best luck possible.  You are a part of the best dogs running and are among those special friends I mentioned earlier. I am especially honored to have been selected to judge the NAC together with my highly respected friend and competitor, Mhari Peschel. Don Bramwell