The Brittany

[Hawkmaster]

What can you tell me? Good or Bad :?:

[LanczSpringer]

I like the sound of them too!

I have a springer at the moment (hence the name!!)
they sound like an all round dog!
I would like to know more as well!!

[Gos212]

Ive read previous posts praising Brittany's and agree 100% with all thats been said about their good points. I don't think there is a breed with a better nose and a willingness to please.

As to their bad points, they do need your total attention. They cover the ground so fast before you know it it can be dissapearing into the distance and you'll think their ears are just painted on when they totally ignore your whistles ! They seem to know when your attention is distracted especially if you're dealing with the Hawk and they find it hard to sit and wait. To them waiting isn't finding more game !. If you can control this over enthusiatic behaviour, you've cracked it. Good luck though !

A forum member from the states mentioned about them being over sensitive and he's spot on. Giving a Brittany a good shake as means of correction could ruin it. I used an electronic collar (shock horror !) with mine but I was very careful not to let her think it was me or the collar that was doing the damage, she believed it was what she was doing that was giving her the whack. It turned out to be a waste of money anyway, only used it twice. The're quick learners !

One critisism I keep on hearing is that their small size can be a drawback when working in thick heather. So they just bound through it !
Ive found the small size to be more of a benefit. They can get through, in or under the thickest cover with ease.

Ive seen two dogs and two bitches working and the bitches were best.

Biggest problem may be getting one. But then Im not telling you anything you dont know already Hawkmaster !

Did you get my last PM ?

[Coedhirion]

Given correct training you can leave a Brittany any where in the stay position while you deal with ferrets, hawks or just your lunch. Going out with a Brit with a 100% hole pointing record has made ferreting so much more fun. You know that when you put the ferret down somethings home... It saves hours & keeps the Hawks attention. The small size makes it possible to flush from all the wood piles you get around here when they have done the hedges... But you have to get a good one !!! Looking around a couple of Game Fairs last year, I noticed some very small and narrow Brits which didn't look too strong. The pair we work, I recon the dog is better than the bitch but he is still very young so its hard to say.

[Hawkmaster]

Yip got it thanks Gray, I seem to have done a deal for a dog that is 10 months old, so will let you all know. The best part is he was £500 and I am doing a trade for him.

Just can't wait!

[CastleFalconry]

Wahey, we're slowly taking over the world!!

They are perfect dogs for falconry. Mine vanishes every now and then. I can call her, shout, whistle and holler, only to realize that for the last half hour, she's been on point, 5 yards from where I'm stood, in the middle of a gorse bush, refusing to break the point until she's flushed!!

They are fantastic. That's all I can say really!

[Hawkmaster]

In that case could you not just give the flush command instead?

[Coedhirion]

Or splash out on a pointing collar... the bird soon gets to learn that bleep on collar -- dog on point -- & comes in over dog if flown free, or at least looks the correct way if on fist !!!! flush command & whoopeee another one bites the dust... if your lucky. They are good & you are totally lost when the silly things go wrong !!!

[Hawkmaster]

I did get a collar and found I did not need it BUT I must say he works better with it on!

[Hardcore Hawker]

Dont need the beep point collar when using a free flying harris as the bird is usually right above the dog at all times anyway.

[Jiff]

if i had to choose again i'd still go for a brittany but for definate a bitch, my dog is on the large size, he's completely a one man dog and completely off it given the chance, he does work well to the whistle at close range, but the land i hunt on has hares on and one minute he's doing great the next he's heading for the horizon, he does point game when the chance arises totaly naturaly i've done nowt to promote or enhance that, he hunts as good if not better than a springer and he's getting calmer on scent but in general a real temper trying dog.........if i had a gun at times!

[ShortWing]

I was converted to Brittanys from gsp,s 15 years ago and I dont think I would move back They have such a willing nature and are great with kids and other dogs.
I have a young bitch at the moment (2yrs old) who is comming on in leaps and bounds this season has been a fantastic one with her her pointing ability has come on really well and her attitude to work has changed dramatically since I bred her I did this to make her grow up and get her away from what I call the teenage years.
I agree with previous posts that they can be quiet head strong at times I use a electric collar but I only use the audio button with her,i found stopping the dog from working and keeping her at heel while game is still getting up works wonders, I only allow Holly to work 50yrds infrount of me and the same either side when quartering this way I have full control of her.

Dave

[Miliscer]

Brittany's are air scenting dogs, they hunt in a totally different way to a spaniel and so cannot be compared.

It is a shame that people still buy/use an E-collar to try and correct faults which they have trained in to a dog - the Americans without a doubt have the best understanding of E-collar use and conditioning, they are used from an early age and form part of the tools used in training.

Far too many people in the UK simply buy one as a quick fix, which they are not. If you are not experienced in dog training then you should not be using one to try and cure faults which have appeared due to inadequate training. They are a tool for an experienced trainer.

Regards

Mike

[ShortWing]

I agree many a good dog has been ruined by e-collers in the wrong hands by people want quick fixes in the right hands they can become a valuable asset and a good training aid in correcting problems like rushing in but only one problem at a time should be corrected and only when that is done should you move on to the next.
But at the end of the day you cannot beat the old fashon way verble commands and the whistle

Dave