Brittany spaniels

[stvnsnwdy]

I'm looking to get me a good dog, mostly for some upland hunting. What are your guys reviews about Brittany's? and second anyone know any breeders?

[skagit]

I have a Brittany that is about 3 yrs old now.  Great dog, loves bird hunting and is also a good family dog.  Any fault in hunting skills is a reult of my training or lack there of.  He naturally points very well, holding is another subject.  We got our dog from Cascade Brittanys in Darrington, great place.

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[KFhunter]

I have a Britt, can't give you any breeders as I'm not sure the one I got my dog from is still doing it.

I'd find you a good trainer 1st before I picked out a dog.  Also, Britts escape damm near anything so make sure you got either some really high fences or kennel with a roof as they'll climb the wire.

Shop the trainer, then shop the dog.



Oh and drop the Spaniel part, it's debatable how much "Spaniel" is left in them anymore.

[jetjockey]

I have a Britt, can't give you any breeders as I'm not sure the one I got my dog from is still doing it.

I'd find you a good trainer 1st before I picked out a dog.  Also, Britts escape damm near anything so make sure you got either some really high fences or kennel with a roof as they'll climb the wire.

Shop the trainer, then shop the dog.



Oh and drop the Spaniel part, it's debatable how much "Spaniel" is left in them anymore.

They dropped the spaniel part because Brits point, and don't flush.  All other "spaniels" flush.  In all honesty, they are still part spaniel though.  Ever seen a Brit that looks just like a springer?  And vise versa....

[Skyvalhunter]

Of coarse flushing or not depends on the dog

[KFhunter]

I have a Britt, can't give you any breeders as I'm not sure the one I got my dog from is still doing it.

I'd find you a good trainer 1st before I picked out a dog.  Also, Britts escape damm near anything so make sure you got either some really high fences or kennel with a roof as they'll climb the wire.

Shop the trainer, then shop the dog.



Oh and drop the Spaniel part, it's debatable how much "Spaniel" is left in them anymore.

They dropped the spaniel part because Brits point, and don't flush.  All other "spaniels" flush.  In all honesty, they are still part spaniel though.  Ever seen a Brit that looks just like a springer?  And vise versa....

Your avatar is a good example of how much pointer they have in them though.   

[jetjockey]

Believe me, my dog looks nothing like a pointer, unless she's shaved, like in the picture.   Brits are Brits, which is a combination of Setters, Pointers, and I believe Welsh Spaniels.  They point because of the 2/3rds cross pointing dogs.  But they still look like spaniels, especially the liver Brittany's.   

[Stilly bay]

most pointy breeds have some EP hiding in the wood shed.

jet jockey, what are the main differences between french brittanies and american? I always thought it was mainly size, but there are sume huge French britts out there.

[KFhunter]

Believe me, my dog looks nothing like a pointer, unless she's shaved, like in the picture.   Brits are Brits, which is a combination of Setters, Pointers, and I believe Welsh Spaniels.  They point because of the 2/3rds cross pointing dogs.  But they still look like spaniels, especially the liver Brittany's.

 

I was seeing if you'd freak out 

Anyways, sorry I was having a little fun with that one.

[KFhunter]

most pointy breeds have some EP hiding in the wood shed.

jet jockey, what are the main differences between french brittanies and american? I always thought it was mainly size, but there are sume huge French britts out there.

I'd like to try a little French Brittany, neat little dogs.   
Back in the day they were a poachers dog, hunting on the kings land - or so goes the story.

[Stilly bay]

most pointy breeds have some EP hiding in the wood shed.

jet jockey, what are the main differences between french brittanies and american? I always thought it was mainly size, but there are sume huge French britts out there.

I'd like to try a little French Brittany, neat little dogs.   
Back in the day they were a poachers dog, hunting on the kings land - or so goes the story.

supposedly they were small so the poacher could easily hide them if he got busted by the kings Gamey.

I don't think they have all that much EP and setter blood in them like the american brits do these days.

[sneakyjake]

Have hunted behind them since I was a kid.  Dad has had 4 dogs in 40 years.   Most were from reputable breeders with champ parents.  We have trained them all and they have been great bird dogs.  All with different personalities.   They will point and retrieve if trained to do so.  Pm me if you want info on the last breeder we used.

[10Key]

Ours is 3 and we love him, great family dog and is as skilled at hunting as I allow him. Got ours from Cascade View Britannys in Darrington, their dogs tend to be on the larger size.

[stvnsnwdy]

Thanks for all the reply's, Great pics good looking dog you have.

[FamilyMan01]

*****I bought a brittany pup from Wind Moutain Kennels owned and operated by Connie Strom last March.  I could not be any happier with what her Kennel procdued and the puppy I have. 

I can attest the puppy I recieved is extremely inteligent, well mannered, extremely "birdy," easily trainable and LOVES to hunt!

Please PM me if you have any questions or would like to see some  of the photo's I took of my puppy this year in the field.

It is my understanding Connie has a litter which will whelp in February (next month).

[jetjockey]

most pointy breeds have some EP hiding in the wood shed.

jet jockey, what are the main differences between french brittanies and american? I always thought it was mainly size, but there are sume huge French britts out there.

Black is an accepted color in French, but not in American.  I believe that was actually done by the AKC to keep cross breeding out of the American Brits.  I've heard that in France, they are a hell of a lot less worried about it than we are.  With that said, French Brits are typically a little smaller and work closer, and still have more of the "versatile" style than American Brits.  American Brits are moving away from the versatile breed they were originally bred for and going the way of the Setter and EP and are only being bred for upland hunting.  Hell, next thing you know Brit folks will be breeding to hounds to get the 12 o'clock tail like the ES and EP people did years ago.  Typically though, the French Brits are smaller and closer working, and they often have black noses and coats.  But the a came from the same stock.

[AspenBud]

I believe French Brittanies generally have to be titled in conformation events before they can run in whatever the equivalent of field trials is in France.

Regarding Pointer blood being injected into the breed, I think that's potentially true for all of the breeds from field trial lines. ie - It's generally accepted that a lot of lines of German Shorthair have had a lot of Pointer blood pumped into them over the years. So much it's often kind of hard to tell them apart if you open up an issue of American Field. I suspect it's because the Pointer has been much more selectively bred over the years than the other pointing breeds and thus giving them consistently desirable traits.

[Happy Gilmore]

I believe French Brittanies generally have to be titled in conformation events before they can run in whatever the equivalent of field trials is in France.

Regarding Pointer blood being injected into the breed, I think that's potentially true for all of the breeds from field trial lines. ie - It's generally accepted that a lot of lines of German Shorthair have had a lot of Pointer blood pumped into them over the years. So much it's often kind of hard to tell them apart if you open up an issue of American Field. I suspect it's because the Pointer has been much more selectively bred over the years than the other pointing breeds and thus giving them consistently desirable traits.

In Europe you must complete a field title and conformation title before either count. You cannot have one without the other. With that being said, they play games differently over the pond.

I've been around a few french brittany's. They were neither overly happy and friendly nor overly birdy. If a dog is just a "cool" dog to be around it and fun to hunt with it can make up for one which "has it all" in style and birdiness. I found the French Brittany's kind of blah on both scales. 

[wildweeds]

My birdhunting vet has a french brit,she runs around the office,as has been stated she is standoffish and don't get all worked up over to much.I've had him out to shoot birds,she's plenty  birdy but doesn't exude the enthusiasim other breeds do.I think I remember he got her from a breeder in north dakota.

[AspenBud]

I think the popularity of French Brits among some is tied to a desire to have a closer working dog.

My only argument with that is there is a line of Brittany out there for everyone. Not all American lines are big running dogs.

[jimmy z]

My French britt kicks ass! He is very friendly, very birdy, teach it twice and he's got it smart, and extremely eager to please. A fast hard working dog that loves to hunt and will listen as well. He will work far out if I let him or I check him close And he works there.

He has been on over 100 birds at 18 months and continues to amaze me.

Did I say he was easy to train!

[skagit]

Cant say it enough, great dogs!

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[ecnclan]

Had a Brittany before my Springer and she lived to hunt.  Great at retrieving on land or water and didn't care how tough or thick things got, she was game.  I hunted in Arizona for Quail, Ducks and Doves but she died before I was able to hunt her Washington.  Always wanted to see her work on some Pheasants.

[wildweeds]

The grin on the kid says it all! Great photo showing saftey and fun,Chamber open,muzzle up!GREAT JOB DAD!

Cant say it enough, great dogs!

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[jetjockey]

Back to the OP's original question.  Brits are great upland dogs.  American Brits are the most common you see.  They can very in size, how big they run, and hunting ability.  Stay away from the show dogs unless they have field titles to go along with them.  If you want closer working dogs it's easy to find proven field dogs with NSTRA lines.  "Buddy" is a dog you hear a lot about.  Also known as Nolan's Last Bullet.  He was the winningest dog in NSTRA history.  If your looking for a wider ranging dog look for a dog from Horseback AKC and AF lines.  Especially dogs who ran All Age trials.  There are not many of those types of dogs in the PNW however.  Also, don't let people scare you about trial dogs being too wild and crazy.  My dog competes in HB AA trials at the highest level and is great around the house.  She also adjust her range and speed accordingly if I'm on a horse or on foot with a shotgun.  Getting a dog from trial breeding won't guarantee you a good field dog, but it will greatly stack the odds in your favor.

[Birddogman]

Brits have everything a multi fur and feather hunter could want.  They are at home in the open field, cover, water and rimrock.  Brits are quick to learn and have fewer genetic issues due to selective breeding practices by good a reputable breeders.  Brits have more Dual bred champions than any other breed.  They can range big (hundreds of yards out) or work in close, and some can figure that out really easy.  Best bang for your buck too.  I have heard of many hunting birds in the fall, rabbits in the winter and pigs in the spring (Gordon Theilen  hunted all his Brits on wild pig in Cali.).  In europe the French Brit hunts both and does it well.  A strong instinct to retrieve and closer range is what they are known for.  If your hunting eastern WA. and need to cover some territory, that's not my top pick.  I'd look for an american Brit for the run and better genetics.  Good breeders all over WA. and OR. with some really good lines coming out of the Northwest.  The NW has produced a lot of National Champs and a couple of AF champs too....lines you should look for are.....Beans Blaze, Chickamin and Tia Maria.  If you can buy a pup with they three in the lines you will get some real winners.

PM me if you have any questions.