Gunther Breugelmans hails from Antwerp, in Belgium. Situated on the right bank of the river Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the estuary Westerschelde, the city has one of the largest seaports in Europe. According to folklore, Antwerp got its name from a legend involving a mythical giant called Antigoon who lived near the river Scheldt. Antigoon exacted a toll from those crossing the river, and for those who refused, he severed one of their hands and threw it into the river Scheldt. Eventually, the giant was slain by a young hero named Brabo, who cut off the giant's own hand and flung it into the river. Hence the name Antwerpen, from Dutch hand werpen—akin to Old English hand and wearpan (= to throw).
Gunther lives in an area east of the city of Antwerp called ‘Antwerp Kempen. ’ The ‘Kempen’ is a green belt spread over two provinces in Belgium and even extends into The Netherlands. He works at the harbour as a contain crane driver, although he is a welder by trade. With no family farming history, Gunther stumbled into the world of sheepdogs after purchasing his first border collie, Zena, in 2000.
When he purchased Zena, a pretty black and white Belgian bred bitch, Gunther was planning on doing other activities with her but he was immediately drawn to herding by two friends, Wim Corthout and Diane Bollansé. Wim and Diane introduced Gunther to herding and taught him the basics. Lucky for him, Zena was a good herding dog with which to get started. He won an Open qualification trial with her when she was two years old but it soon became apparent to Gunther that Zena had her limitations and that he needed a new dog. This is where Aled Owen steps into the picture.
Fresh off back to back wins at the International Supreme with Bob (2000) and Roy (1999), Aled had bred Kate (Bwlch Hemp x Twiggy) to Bob and a litter of pups was on the ground. Gunther selected Llangwm Nell from this litter and when Nell was ready for training, Gunther went back to Aled for training advice. Since then, Gunther trains with Aled several times a year. He says “Aled’s way of training and handling appeals to me because he ‘exploits’ the natural gifts in the dog.”
With Nell, Gunther has trialled in England, Wales, the Netherlands and at home in Belgium. It has been a successful partnership that has seen them compete at the 2008 World Trial in Llandeilo, win the Belgian National, captain the Belgian team at the 2010 Continental and captain the Belgian team for this year’s World Trial.
Thanks to his job, where he works mostly at night, Gunther has plenty of time to train and work dogs during the day. He trains at different locations and with other Belgian handlers. He also helps local shepherds herding and collecting sheep when they do grazing projects in the area in order to reinstall the original heather landscape in the Kempen.
Gunther likes to run bitches and preferably ones with a lot of ‘guts’, a natural outrun and flanking with a nice forward pace. He thinks a dog should also show respect for the sheep but should stay efficient and firm. “I like runs executed by the dog but supported by the handler” he says. In preparation for the World Trial Nell will have to do a lot of flock work, some of it in the mountains, to ensure she is in top physical condition. After the World Nell will retire and enjoy a well earned day at home.
Gunther’s alternate dog for the World Trial is Gyp, who was purchased from Ireland via Serge Van der Zweep at the age of two. Gyp used to be a working dog from James McGee and is bred from the lines from Aiden Gallagher’s Bill. She is a hard headed, tough bitch. She will receive a thorough basic training and work on keeping her head cool on the trial field to make her a worthy alternate dog at the World.
Gunther would like to wish everybody a nice and sport-loving World trial. We’ll second that.
Nell competing at the Continental
Gunther's Alternate - Gyp
