wanting a Brittany

[halfpipe88]

I've got my wife talked into a dog and I'd really like to get a Brittany. What is your experience with Brittanies and do you know of any good breeders in eastern WA?  I've had a lab and a German shorthair and would like to try something new.

[Happy Gilmore]

Here's a good place to start your search if you prefer to stay local-

http://wabrittanyclub.com/membership.html

[jetjockey]

I'm fairly well versed with the Brittany breed.  My family has bred and owned Brittany's on and off for 30+ years.  Depending on what your looking for, you can find it in the breed.  There are close working dogs and dogs perfectly happy at 800+ yards off horse.  The great thing about the breed is Brits tend to be very easy to train, make great house pets, and great hunting dogs as well.  Some people say they are a soft breed, and that they can shut down easily.   But my experience has been that people who don't understand them tend to overtrain them, and create problems for themselves.   The other thing I like about Brits is that they aim to please their owner.  An 800+ yard All Age Horseback dog can easily be brought in to be a great foot hunting dog as well.  Unfortunately the PNW is not a hotbed for great Brittany breeding, but there is some great dogs from the area. The WBC is a great place to start looking as we'll as the Whidbey Island BC.  There is some folks in the Enumclaw area that used to produce some nice dogs but I'm not sure if they still breed. There is
an Amateur in the Portland area with some nice proven dogs as well.  The closest big name breeder is located in Idaho and he is famous for his dogs and his training.  His name is Dave Walker and he is famous amount the pointing breed world.  Don't be afraid to expand your search beyond E Washington.  Owning a dog is a 10-15 year commitment, you will greatly increase your odd of getting a great dog by expanding your search area.

[halfpipe88]

Wow thankless jetjocky. What is the kennell of Dave Walker called?

[jetjockey]

What else would it be called???  DaveWalkerdogs.com...;-).     He is famous among the pointing breed circle and especially among the Brittany people.  He is very "proud" of his dogs and his accomplishments, but he has every right to be.  The guy knows his stuff, and he knows Brits.

[jetjockey]

Oh ya.  Figured I'd mention it.  If you get one, don't let your wife around it.  When I picked mine from the breeder my wife wasn't sure she wanted a Brit.  She had heard horror stories about them being high strung and out of control.  Now, she seems to think MY bird dog is her cuddle bug!!!  I also made the mistake of picking the pup she really liked since I couldn't decide.......  Actually, on that one I can't complain. She picked a hell of a dog.  Good luck, I'd be willing to bet your wife falls in love with it.  Brits have that ability!

[halfpipe88]

How would you 'over train' a dog?:  I spent a lot of time training my lab and he couldn't get enough of it.

[jetjockey]

By putting too much pressure on a dog and having it shut down.  Being too "hard" on a dog rather than letting them figure things out for themselves.  Brits are very smart and love to please.  If you whack a Brit when they screw up you probably wont get the same response that youd get if you whack a Pointer or GSP.  They often take it in stride and don't care.  In most cases, you can put more pressure on a GSP, Pointer, and even Setters.  But typically you don't need to put the same pressure on a Brit to achieve the same results. 

[GrousePointer]

If you're willing to expand your search, look up Beeline Brittanys.

I can't remember who bred the dog at the moment, but you might also inquire on the coverdog message board about a dog called Wanbli. In a sea of Pointers and Setters the dog did more than hold it's own in the coverdog venue.

[jimmy z]

great dogs! Got my first one last October and we are gettin ready to tear it up. Mine is a French Britt. So eager to please is crazy.

[wally hartwell]

great dogs

[flatbkman]

I've had 3 Britts. Each one was better than the one before. They must have taught me something.
And yes they do make great house dogs as well as hunting companions.

[10Key]

halfpipe, check your PMs

[halfpipe88]

Have you found a difference between male and female?

[SpringerFan]

They one the best pointing dogs. If you like walking up to a bird and kick it to flush......get one.

Flushing dogs are more fun in my opinion. You need to train them to keep in gun range. With a pointer, you need to be fast or have a gps or bell. I have hunted with pointing labs and all you hear is "do you see my dog?"

A flushing dog is so much more fun to hunt over and watch work.

But hey.....I have two Field Bred ESS that I hunt over. So I preffer a flushing dog to one where I have to go kick a bird up.

That said, Brits are great dogs if that is your style.

Good luck and happy hunting!!