2026 Nationals

Eastern Slopes Spaniel Association

2026 National Amateur Field Trial Championship

October 11, 2026

Frank Lake, Alberta

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Field Trial Committee

Field Trial Chairman:

Field Trial Secretary:

Gun Captain:

Game Steward:

Hospitality:

Judges

I got my first field bred springer in 1989, Springville Chelsea. I instantly fell in love with the breed for its incredible eye contact and eagerness to please. Not long after I drove to Stars Point, Nova Scotia to attend my first Spaniel Field Trial; I met a bunch a friendly and passionate people who got me into this fabulous adventure. Along with some friends we then founded the Club de Chiens de Chasse de Québec; in 1992 we held the first Spaniel Field Trial ever in the province of Quebec. I am still very active in our club and in the Spaniel community and was the chairman for the 1997, 2005 and 2025 Open Nationals.

With my wife Vivianne we have been selective breeders for the past 35 years. We also sell fully trained field trial and gun dogs. I train and handle my own Spaniels and got to learn a lot over all those years. I championed most of them and earned a CM at the 2025 National Open.

It is a great privilege to get to judge some of the finest Spaniels in North America. My expectation as a Spaniel judge is to see dogs with a lot of drive and desire, that run their wind naturally to be in a good position for a big find, with a minimum of handling and a minimum use of the whistle; when on a nest he must make all efforts to produce the bird. I also like dogs that hunt by themselves but with brains, boldness and a lot of cooperation.

PIERRE FECTEAU, Quebec

I’ve been married to my wife Jennifer for 26 years. We have three adult children still living locally named Justin, Paige, and Daniel. We have a fourth, Abbi, who was sent to be with the Lord in April of 2011.  Together, Jennifer and I own and operate Absolute Gun Dogs in Bismarck, ND, an endeavor that came to light in the Spring of 2009.  Our facility was completed in October of 2012.   

I grew up hunting pheasants and chasing Spencer, my first Springer Spaniel. When I say chasing, what I mean is when he started barking while questing, I had to close the distance, hope for a rooster, then pray that I was able to kill it.  If it were a hen, or a worse yet white-tailed deer or a Jack rabbit, Spencer would be gone, sometimes for hours.  Luckily his barking indicated his direction of travel.  I got to be a pretty good shot out of necessity more than ability.  Little did I know how valuable and applicable Spencer’s lesson on the importance of reading your spaniel would prove. 

When I was 13, my grandpa had a friend named Tom Ness. He was a part time dog trainer with a litter of puppies for sale.  Plans were made to take my brothers and I hunting with Tom’s dog, Strike.   Both Tom and my grandpa worked for the state of ND, so it was probably an early afternoon hunt. Most likely my brothers and I were on suspension from school, so it all worked out!!!  There were lots of hens and one wily rooster on the public land we were hunting.   I can still see Strike, working and flushing that rooster pheasant.  I couldn’t get a good shot, as I was in the trees with the dog (we do have a few trees in the river bottoms). Out of habit, I emptied my gun anyway hoping to get lucky so we wouldn’t spend the rest of the afternoon as a search party looking for Strike in the river bottoms.  To my surprise, Strike just sat there and watched the bird fly away.   Shortly after our hunt, my grandpa stopped by the house with a Springer pup. One that he would tell Grandma he had found on the side of the road.  And shortly after that I would be scooping poop, chewing tobacco, and learning the trade of spaniel training at Tom’s Kennel. 

My accomplishments include multiple placements in both Cocker and Springer Nationals, including a National Cocker Win. Multiple high-point English Springers and English Cockers, 4-time high point U.S. handler, and North American high point dog awards.  It is an honor to be considered to judge the Canadian Amateur National Championship and to be on the ballot with some experienced and dedicated professionals and experienced judges.  If I win, I’m willing to smuggle assorted candy over the border to share with my Canadian friends who have been deprived of these treasured treats.   

DAN MURRAY, North Dakota

Qualifying Dogs