Brittany Spaniel...

[loganwayne]

This is the answer,

Get two. They will exercise themselves. Sometimes.

I doubled down lol. And have 4

 

[Dos XX]

I doubled down lol. And have 4

I can't decide if you are a genius or should have your head examined. Lol.

 

[loganwayne]

I can't decide if you are a genius or should have your head examined. Lol.

Best part about going to field trials. I look like the normal one with ONLY 4 dogs

 

[idcuda]

I doubled down lol. And have 4

That's a great looking group of dogs! Love the variety.

 

[Clovis]

This is my same thought process as well.

I'm not going to highjack this brittany thread, but let me know if you want to talk small munsterlanders--I have a 5 year old and a 7 month old pup and very happy with them and think they would work for what the OP wants.

 

[Danny Hoey]

I'm looking to get my first bird dog/pup. I grew up with GSP and labs my whole childhood and loved hunting behind them as upland game dogs. With getting a new pup I want to transition from doing less waterfowl and focusing a little more upland game. I've looked into a GSP but am highly considering getting a Brittany. I also do want a pointing breed. Nothing more nostalgic or beautiful than a good point on upland game.
I know GSP I may get a dog that hunts a little harder but have a more energetic dog at home. With Brittany's my understanding is they can be more mellow at home but maybe don't have the natural drive of a GSP.
This will more than likely be an indoor dog as well. Having a smaller frame Brittany is also a plus. Since hunting season is mostly September-January it will be a family pup half the year and hunting dog during the fall months. So I'm looking for a dog/breed that transitions well.
Am I off my rocker with wanting a Brittany?
Also, if you do have a Brittany I would love to see some in the field photos!
Thanks!

I don't think you are off your rocker with a Britt. If you had said Gordon, then yes, you would be off your rocker

 

[BFreed59]

I have three Brittany's and they are great, wonderful house and family dogs, with the exception (as previously mentioned) of them being smart and sometime devious, for example mine are excellent counter surfers when you leave the room but will show no interest in anything on the counter/table while you are in the room. They are great with kids and other animals and great companions. As far as hunting they have been good, mine typically range from 50-150 yards and will naturally adjust how far they range based on the cover we are hunting (closer for thick brush and trees, farther for open prairie grasses). One of the three loves water the other two tolerate it so may not be the best choice if you are doing a fair amount of waterfowl. Also mine are just as interested in fish as they are birds.

 

[longhorn8011]

If you have experience with Labs and GSPs, I think you would handle a Brittany well. I wouldn’t say that they have less drive or energy than either of those breeds though – that all depends on pedigree. Field bred Brittanys can be super range-y (150-300 yards) and are often more energetic. Hunt test or show bred Brittanys will typically be closer hunters (25-50 yards) with better “off-switches”, but this all depends on genetics and how you train them. Its much easier to teach a range-y dog to work close than it is to teach a close hunter to range far.

It’s important to evaluate the dam and sire of the litter. Ask the breeder about the dog’s natural tendencies, strengths/weaknesses, and biddability. The breeder should be able to tell you the goals of the breeding program and what traits they have tried to bring out or enhance with the litter. I would look for proper health clearances too. Generally, Brittanys are a healthy breed, but we OFA test hips, elbows, and eyes.

I do agree with others that they are not as heat tolerant as GSPs, and due to their smaller size, can’t cover the same kind of ground that the longer legged GSPs can take on. I am a fan of the smaller size though - easier to travel with and they bring a snappy/zippy enthusiasm to hunts that I haven’t seen in other breeds (hence the nickname “pocket rocket”).

Brittanys are intelligent and versatile and usually pick up on training very quickly (faster than my Labs ever did). Like any breed, some dogs can be super soft and sensitive and others hard- headed. Some good retrievers and some not so much. This also comes down to the intention of the breeder. For example, field trials do not require Brittanys to retrieve (hunt tests do require it), so some breeders may not put as much emphasis on retrieving. Best advice would be to list out the qualities you are looking and then shop around for a breeder that values and specializes in those traits.

I am previously a Lab guy, but we moved to West Texas and have made a full switch to Brittanys due to the upland opportunities out here (we also hunt grouse in the mountains). Our girl is great with our two kids and has a reliable “off switch” when inside. She lets the kids climb all over her and will lay at my feet all day while I work at the office. Unlike Labs, she will not just hang out at your feet while you BBQ outside though. When she walks out the door, she is independent and immediately takes off in hunt mode. Her stamina is on a different level than the Labs. Overall, she is very adaptable, and I’ve been impressed with her willingness to please and how easily she switches gears from family companion to hunting partner.

Not sure where you are located, but we have a breeding planned for February. Check us out at https://www.facebook.com/wtxbrittanys. You can also PM me if you have any specific questions about Brittanys. Would be happy to tell you more and help you figure out if it’s the right breed for you (and which breeders you should consider). We’ve learned a lot about different breeders while searching for the right stud dog. Could also give you some training lessons learned from going from retrievers to a pointing breed. Good luck!

 

[loganwayne]

If your at all interested in a French brittany and happen to be in the southeast or willing to be there georgia/albama line first week of December. We are having the yearly trial there this year. Pretty much every top breeder of EBs will be there and probably close to 500 dogs to view and they are pretty open to letting someone walk the field with a judge.

 

[2Stamp]

This is the answer,

Get two. They will exercise themselves. Sometimes.

I'll Second this. My old girl can't stand my youngster's energy. We rehomed a Boykin a couple years ago. She's closer in age to the young male, gives him a run for his money, doesn't tolerate his BS. They are great for each other, especially entertainment and exercise wise.

 

[Gravel Road]

Only one shot today on walk-in hunting ground, but made it count It's always fun to get out with a dog and watch the pure joy they get in the field.
Yesterday at 5AM I shot a rabbit in the garden with the 17HMR. She grabbed it and went to the front door of the house to be let inside. Looks like a bloodbath on the front door-lol.

 

[bdg848]

I'm looking to get my first bird dog/pup. I grew up with GSP and labs my whole childhood and loved hunting behind them as upland game dogs. With getting a new pup I want to transition from doing less waterfowl and focusing a little more upland game. I've looked into a GSP but am highly considering getting a Brittany. I also do want a pointing breed. Nothing more nostalgic or beautiful than a good point on upland game.
I know GSP I may get a dog that hunts a little harder but have a more energetic dog at home. With Brittany's my understanding is they can be more mellow at home but maybe don't have the natural drive of a GSP.
This will more than likely be an indoor dog as well. Having a smaller frame Brittany is also a plus. Since hunting season is mostly September-January it will be a family pup half the year and hunting dog during the fall months. So I'm looking for a dog/breed that transitions well.
Am I off my rocker with wanting a Brittany?
Also, if you do have a Brittany I would love to see some in the field photos!
Thanks!

Listen to "the hunting dog confidential" podcast before picking a breed. The host also has two books, 'pointing dogs volume 1 the continentals' and another volume for english breeds. Fantastic books with all info on every pointing breed you could think of and dozens and dozens you couldn't. It makes it easy to compare breed to breed. He has a section on Britts and GSPs obviously.

 

[boinkins]

I'm repeating a lot of what's been said but I currently have an American Brittany. He's a 5 y/o male around 45-50lbs. Here's my anecdotal experience with just one Brittany so far:
Pros:
-Unlimited energy for hunting. He would die of exhaustion before he'd quit.
-Naturally soft mouthed. Never force fetched or had to do anything and he's never chomped on birds.
-Retrieves birds well.
-Strong points on birds.
-No aggressiveness with kids or other dogs.
-Loves the water and is a good swimmer.

Cons:
-When it's not time to hunt, he's still got the energy ha. He's prone to chewing a kids toy or shoe in the house every now and then if he's not able to get out and run every day.
-Some anxiety issues. Bad weather and fireworks = him going in our closet and pulling out everything he can find (but he's not gun shy). He's not an easy going travel companion on long road trips.
-Had some issues with him working out too far and bumping birds. He's gotten better at staying close with age and experience though.

Overall, I couldn't ask for a better dog in the field and I would get another one just like him in a heartbeat. I would never recommend him to someone who doesn't hunt or at least have some acreage for him to get out run every day. He's kind of like the high school kid who can't pass english class but is the star football player on Friday nights...he was made to score touchdowns not be in honors class.