Dorothy (Dottie) Macdonald

It’s hard to believe Dorothy wasn’t already  in the ABC Hall of Fame. She was an avid  Brittany enthusiast, fought for the Dual  Brittany, exhibited her dogs in field trials  and shows, was an active field trial judge  (in her younger days), conformation judge,  and served the ABC as 3rd VP for 4 years  and ABC columnist for the AKC Gazette for  many years.    Much information on her personal dogs  from the 50’s and 60’s has proven difficult  to uncover. The information below is what  can be found. 

Born in England, she and her mother and  brother came to the United States with their  dogs, after her Dad who was a surgeon was  killed in a bombing in WWII. Dorothy was  known to have a “wonderful British sense  of humor”.   

Dorothy bought her first Brittany in 1957.  She became good friends with Kitty Murphy  and they traveled abroad to learn more  about the Brittany.   

She finished many Champions in the  50’s. She handled a dog she owned that  won Best in Show at the first independent  Specialty Show for Brittanys in the early  50’s in California.    Her bitch CH Tuppence Halfpenny took  home a perpetual trophy from CA Brittany  Club in 1967.   

In 1970 National Dual Dog of the Year was  DC Char-Lee O’Dee owned by Francis  Clasen, handled in the show ring by Dorothy  Macdonald.    Dorothy was the American Brittany Club  3rd Vice President in 1973, 1974, 1975,  and 1976.   

She became a Field Trial judge in 1973 and  a conformation judge in 1974. Someone  quoted “She loved the shows, but field trials  were always first in her heart”.  Dorothy judged the first AKC Irish Setter  Field Trial National in 1974.   

Her bitch DC Dinar O’Dee became a FC in  1976 and show champion in 1979, she was  the dam of 3 field winners.  Dorothy served the American Brittany Club  as an Officer and Board member for many  years.  Thanks to Dorothy and others, the “span-  iel” was removed from the Brittany name in  1982.   

In 1992 she became an ABC Life Member.    In 2004 she became an AKC Lifetime  Achievement Award Winner.   

Dorothy wrote the book The Brittany: Ideal  Companion at Home and Afield in 2000.  She also served ABC as a Breed Columnist  for her beloved “dual purpose” Brittany. She  wrote Brittany columns/articles for the AKC  Gazette for many, many years. Many of  her articles are still used today in Judges  Education.

American Brittany Club Articles by Dorothy Mcdonald

Judging the Breed
A Natural Dog
Brittany Heads, D Macdonald
Brittany or Epagneul Breton
Brittany Standard 

DC AFC Whiz Kid

HI PROOF RUM RUNNER x CHIKAMIN’S CHIKLET
O: CLEM & MARILYNNE LITTLE.  B: BOB & JOAN DONNELL

It is a great honor to introduce our 2025 Hall of Fame Dog, DC AFC Whiz Kid. Hall of Fame dogs are remembered not only for what they accomplished in their own lifetime, but for the standard they set, and the legacy they leave behind. Whiz Kid is recognized as the kind of dog knowledgeable breeders look for in pedigrees when establishing or improving breeding programs: a dog whose name carries meaning, whose influence endures, and whose quality is proven.

During his career, Whiz was always considered a true all age contender all over the United States. Whiz’s favorite grounds  were the high Idaho chukar mountains, and the Red Rock mountains in Nevada, however, he was also a formidable con-  tender in Alabama, Georgia, New Mexico and Arizona. He was a true bird dog with a terrific nose.  During countless field trials, Whiz would be found by his scout, standing head tall & tail high, out of sight two ridges over,  pointing a wild covey of Chukar, quail, pheasants or sage hens, when most of his competition had only found trial liberated  birds. His quick, zippy ground speed was incredible to witness; he appeared to be flying on the wind.  His classy bird work was impeccable. His field career consists of 55 placements with 18 first place ribbons. With a limited  placement record as a juvenile, he placed 4th in the 1995 ABC Western Futurity (40 starters) and won the 1995 Futurity Run-  Off (23 starters) with no Runner-Up named. As a 3-year-old he finished his FC in his second outing, defeating 24 dogs in the  Oregon BC OAA stake. During his 7 years of adult competition, he ran only in the Al Age stakes. He competed in the ABC  National Open & Amateur All Age Championships for 6 years until he was retired at 9 years old due to bone chips in his front  legs from jumping the rocks during field competition. The consensus of those who witnessed, handled and judged him in the  field is that Whiz was a bold, consistent, outstanding bird dog on every upland game bird, both released & wild with All Age  range, manners, class, style and a great disposition.  Whiz’s true legacy to the Brittany breed is his production record. During his lifetime, Whiz sired 21 litters, passing on his  terrific disposition, bird dog nose, OFA Excellent hips and zippy ground speed to his offspring.

Whiz’s most notable progeny

Whiz’s most notable progeny are:  2 x NAGDC/DC/AFC Calistar Del Prado (2003 & 2004);  Runner-Up NFC/DC Hi Proof Whizki (2007); FC Absolute  Proof, Winner ABC Chicken Classic (2001), Futurity Run-  Off Winner & ABC Central Futurity RU Winner (1999); Ch  Rocklan’s Smart Alec Kid, Winner Western AA Futurity (2009).  NFC/FC Primetime Outlaw Johnny (2009) – Grandson

Production Record

2 x NAGDC, 1 Runner-Up NFC, 1 ABC  Futurity Run-Off Winner, 2x ABC Futurity Dual Award Winner,  1 ABC Western All Age Futurity Winner, 1 ABC Central  Futurity RU Winner, 1 Eastern Futurity RU Winner; 19 – Field  Champions; 9 – Amateur Field Champions; 4 – Canadian Field  Champions; 8- Champions; With 3 dual pointed Champions  and 1 field pointed get from his last frozen breeding that are  currently competing in trials.

Grand Progeny
1 – NFC, 4 – FC, 3 – AFC, and still counting …