In 2011, Michel
Gambier will celebrate 49 years of breeding. During this period he produced
over a dozen working champions, over 42 french or international titles , including
those of the legendary Bill de Langeron, who died prematurely after having
conquered one of the most beautiful prize list in the history of the race.
Michel Gambier, Langeron kennel
(Magasin No. 80 CFBA, 2002)
"When and how did you start the
breeding ?
I bought in 1962 from the the North a
bitch, Diane (Nebuleuse de l'Erica) wich I mated,
under the advice of D. Covolo, with the czech imported dog Alfo od Cihachu.
This first litter gives me Polka de Langeron, my first champion;
his brother Pollux produced in D. Covolo kennel, Ulis
du Mas de la Combe, exports to Italy, has been a
great stud dog after having won several champion's titles. .. I became interested
in field-trial on the advice of my friend J. Renard, a great breeder of English
Setters, affix of Port Arthur, who also lived at Montoire and had seen work
Polka.
At the time, you do not presente your dogs yourself ?
I always prepare and train my dogs myself, but I was not quite available at
the time, so my dogs were presented by Rene Piat, then by his son Jean Claude
and D. Covolo. As I could not finance the presentations, I produced one or
two litters per year, and I paid my trainer with puppies ... At one of my
first presentation, at Paray-le-Monial, I got a CACT absolutely without knowing
what it has corresponded, and I found myself at the barrage with Polka, opposite
Pepee du Mas de la Combe of D.Covolo!
Long time you have keeping only females
?
I had, like today, a female who compete in field, and a female for breeding.
Polka mated by Uker du Mas de la Combe,
produced Ira, champion too, and Ira has
produced with Inti de la Mare aux Loups, Magot
(CHT Italy) and Mascotte. I then crossed twice Mascotte
with Oscar de Samflo; first litter gave Star,
and the next Udine, Urka,Uthus and Ulla,
exported to Italy.
 |
 |
CHT,G.T.CHT, Elite B- Mascotte de Langeron |
MultiCH,
Elite A- Oscar de Samflo |
 |
 |
 |
CHT, Elite B- Udine de Langeron |
CHT/CPS,CHT/CPC,
Elite B- Uthus de Langeron |
CHT,
G.T.CHT,Elite B- Urka de Langeron |
In Italy, Ulla had been crossed by G. Passini with Ali della Chiusa, a son of Tintin du Mas de la Combe, which had given an exceptional dog, but died prematurely, Vampir di Pra Capone. So I went to Italy where I took two mating of Ali, one of Udine, which gives Bill and Belle, and the other on Star, which gives Calin, National and International Working Champion.
 |
 |
 |
CHT Tintin du Mas de la Combe |
CHT
Ali della Chiusa |
CHT
Vampir di Pra Capone |
 |
 |
 |
8xCHT ,Elite
A |
CHT/CPS,
Elite B Belle de Langeron |
CHT/FTP,CHIT,
HollandCHT, Belgium CHT, Elite B Calin de Langeron |
Because at the time, I could not find in France what I wanted. So I followed the advice of Covolo-which accompanies me on the place - and Passini, it also allowed me to find the blood of Tintin, an exceptional breeding too.
 |
I went back twice later
in Italy with Udine I did cover by CHT Sioux
di Pra Capone and Simba, the son of
a Vampir from above: had come full circle! All these have given
several trialers and CHT, especially Etoile
Filante, Houlette
and Heutche. |
 |
 |
 |
CHT/FT P A, Elite B, Etoile Filante de Langeron |
CHT/FT
P A, Elite B, Houlette de Langeron |
CHT,
Tr. Heutche de Langeron |
Yes, with Bill at first, then with his successors. It should be noted that at the death of Bill, I've never used myself as stud, but I did freeze his semen at ENV Maisons-Alfort. Following various circumstances, I first retrieves a son of Bill, Diego de Ve l'Ubac, then a son of the latter, Hardy, himself from a daughter of Udine with double champion , Urbino du Bois Chambray. Finally, I keep Jab. also son of Diego with Etna, a daughter of Sioux di Pra Capone and Udine. Bill, Diego, Hardy and Jab are now under my leadership International Working Champion, in addition to their national titles.
 |
 |
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Diego de Ve
l'Ubac(son of Bill de Langeron) |
Hardy(son of Diego & Dina de Langeron) EliteB,CHIT,CHT,CHT/FTP,CHT/FTA,BelgCHT |
Jab
de Langeron(son of Diego & Etna de Langeron) Elite B,CHIT,CHT,CHT/FTP,CHT/FTA,BelgCHT |
I systematically made more or less inbred litters from about 1985, with excellent results.
Do you have any other "recipes" to explain your success ?
All litters are systematically raised to the house in the kitchen, until about 5-6 weeks. It's my wife Colette, who selects puppies we keep going! She was, for example, who spotted Bill the first ...
And what are your criteria of choice ?
First of all, the balance is essential: a puppy should be neither timid nor hard and must be simply intelligent, flexible nature, and seek to give pleasure. I selected the stud dogs, and dogs that I keep in the same criteria: first the balance, then the nose, the aptitude for training and style.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jadee de Langeron |
L'Or
de Langeron CHT/FT A |
L'As
de Langeron Trialer |
Nanou
de Langeron CHT/FT A |
Bill is, of course! In addition to rest, he had a sense of the land and game out of the ordinary: in field, while it was leashed, before his journey, he observed and analyzed the field and when I let him go, he knew already or could find game, and went directly there! In another, he was particularly affectionate and has always sought to please. He never made me a "dirty trick" during a journey, not a single hare ran throughout his career ...
 |
BILL DE LANGERON |
Undoubtedly Udine, not content with being the mother of Bill and Belle, was mated 4 times, and has produced champions and trialers in all litters.
What are the dogs that have most impressed you during your career ?
I saw many good dogs, some great, but only three really great: Inti de la Mare aux Loups, Bill and Vidoc du Bois Sonel.
Your livestock has been affected by epidermolysis. How did you discovered this disease ?
It appeared to me for the first time in a litter realized by artificial insemination of Bill with his daughter Heden. I then brought up to show the sick puppies to Dr. Gaguere, who worked on this disease and who then described. Subsequently, it turned out that it was a genetic disease, and Bill and other dogs in my kennel could have been carriers. In association with J.G.Bonhomme(de la Porte de Becray), I then provided blood samples and the sick puppies at Inserm who has been able to develop the test that we use today. Without this test, all my work as breeder would have been useless ...
Where is Langeron today ?
I have acttuellement 4 dogs, all non-carriers, two females, Rafale and Pouloutte and two males, Mutin and Royal Bill.
 |
 |
Royal Bill
de Langeron |
Mutin
de Langeron CHT, Elite B |
The future is therefore responsible
?
Yes, because Royall Bill is extremely prommising. Since Bill, he is the
dog I had who resembled him most. He naturally knows everything, and it
has already a large prize list for his age. Her sister Rafale is also
very bright, but less precocious.
What advice would you give to a breeder ?
We must choose puppies and breedings in lineages known, not use a very
titled champion, but out of nothing ... must also select spring dogs because
the spring competitions are the only ones that proofs highlight the natural
qualities . Then, we must focus the balance of character and aptitude
for training. Today we have in France 5-6 lineages that have such qualities,
and it is not necessary to seek further."
Royal Bill- CACIT of St.Just ,speciality kurzhaar, Spring
2002
Uri - CACT ,field trial of Ile de Re
Uri it is the last dog that M. Gambier owned, trained and presented