Home Forums Birds & Dogs Hunting Dogs Brittany, tell me about them.

Not in the market for a dog yet but tossing around the idea of raising one more companion from a pup between retirement and the end of my journey here. Have raised three Labs from pups and love them but as I get older was thinking of something a little bit smaller without getting into ankle biters.

Brittany looks like it might be a good choice from what I've read - intelligent, medium sized, generally healthy, moderate to light shedder and not a drooler AFAIK - my lab Ranger the First would leave puddles in the summer. They are energetic and need exercise but that is one reason for getting one, it would prompt me to get off my butt and take long walks and throw a ball around or something. A Border Collie is a close second but not sure I want a dog who's smarter than me.

So, open to any comments you want to make about them - am I on the right track, are there any gotchas with the breed, whatever.

I love Brittanys. I have had two of my own, and have hunted with them since 1974. They are good family dogs and not too big. They do need exercise, though. No gotchas that I know of. I got my last Britt (now deceased) from a retired urologist dog breeder, also now deceased. He was a brilliant man, so if he thought the breed was good, I'm not going to say different. My last dog came from him, and she was a wonderful dog. She was a good watchdog and companion and a terrific hunter.

Marty

It is hard not to like a Brittany IMHO. A buddy of mine has one and she is a great dog. High energy and loves everyone. She is mainly a pet, but she does retrieve a few doves every year.

I have had 4 brittanies. Great dogs. I will have more. Very easy to train. They are very much people pleasers so don’t be heavy handed. Good with kids too, not so much with cats.

I've been thinking about getting a Brittany too. I've only had pointers which were all excellent hunters but my last one was a horse back trial reject and almost broke me because she was just too much of a runner. My roommate in college had two Britts that were really nice to hunt with.

I've noticed Brittany pups cost a lot more than pointers and I see a lot of them look like "show dogs" so it makes concerned how well they will hunt. Do you guys have a recommendation on where to get one for hunting? I've been looking for one that has NSTRA wins in its pedigree.

What everyone else said. Britts are great dogs, they will hunt and they will be the family pet for the rest of the year. Very affable personalities, easy to live with. Not overly intelligent, so they won't challenge a casual dog owner. Best bet by far for a hunter/family dog.

Though I'm very partial to the breed, but you live in close proximity to probably the most well know pudelpointer breeder in the US...

Great dogs, great hunters, and the perfect size.

Don't cheat yourself. Forget the Brittany and get yourself a real one, French Brittany! As for breeder Plum Creek would be my first choice. Might want to get a deposit in now.

The best grouse and all around dog I've ever had was a mostly liver colored brit.
We could hunt duck in the AM, then grouse all day, then duck in the PM.
If there was a bird in the woods, he would find it and he would actually point and hold grouse.
If they wild flushed, he would stand there and face the way they flushed.
If they flushed into a tree, he would sit and look up at them.
Never trained him to do that, but he did it.
He was tall enough to get around in the snow and small enough(45 lbs) to carry around, unlike my lab.
Like any dog, you need to get one from hunting stock and put your time into them.
As was mentioned, they are gentle and don't take kindly to a firm hand.
They are great family and house dogs too.
I had a friend that loved my brits attitude, so he bought one from the next litter for a house dog.
Never hunted a day in it's life, but it would point robins and small birds by his bird feeder all the time.
Go for it.

I'm in the same boat as Jim in Idaho.

I have a 14 y/o lab and he will be my last Lab.... I got my selection prosses down to two breeds... Pudelpointer or Springer.

As I search for a dog I see an awful lot of really good Brittany litters.... and I want to know if a Brittany would work better or not.... I am mostly a grouse hunter but will not pass up a good wood duck hole if I find one.

I mostly train my dogs by hunting the living crap out of them.... Other than that, I let them be dogs. So I need a natural born bird dog..... Like a beagle comes out of the box knowing to chase bunnies... I need a bird dog to come out of the box knowing how to hunt grouse..... I don't know if a springer will check that box.... and I hunt in wolf country, and a long ranging pudlepointer will for sure get picked off before too long. I know this because I have seen my Lab come close twice that I know of...

I don't care the cost... I don't care the color... I don't care the breed... If my next dog lives to be 14... I'll be 70 y/o when he goes... just enough time left for one more after that.

Oh, and Jim.... that thing you say about Border collies.... no kidding.... I always said.... If Border collies had opposing thumbs... we would be hearding sheep for them....

A Brittany has great ability to follow ground scent. I never lost a cripple quail while running a Brit. They do not follow air borne scent trails as well as an English Pointer. While not quite the quail hunting machine that a pointer is, they are versatile. Mine would point quail, as well as retrieve doves and ducks.
They are great family dogs and do well inside the house. They are much "softer" than a pointer. You can't treat them "harshly" during training.

Many look like "show dogs" because the breed is known for producing dual champions in both AKC and field trials. If you want one for hunting get it from hunting stock. If both parents are good hunters the pups will be too. I ran a Brit and a pointer in the quail fields, they were a great combination. Strengths and weaknesses of each breed complimented the other.

Brittany‘s have won more combined field trial and show dog awards than any other breed.

They’re a great dog. High energy, yes, but able to dial it down in the house. Will hunt till you quit. Mine was friendly with everyone but thought the sun rose and set on me.

If you have a local chapter of NAVHDA, ask them about a Brittany breeder.

Hunted over (virtually) every breed out there. Brits have a terrific work ethic in the field! They are also wonderful people dogs.

If my wife hadn't agreed to slightly larger breeds for my upland hunting (wirehairs, both german and griffon), brit was on my short list. Given their smaller size is overshadowed by their upland hunting prowess, they're tough to beat pound for pound in the field or in the house.

If they had short flat coats I would own some.

They love the water.

All of the above true, I've only owned 2 so not that much experience, but, this is opinion only, and I'm not a real dog man: they got got popular a few years back for field competition, and breeders did what breeders do, they bred the dogs to win. And as a result, there are some bloodlines out there that show some physical traits that are dead easy to spot. Very long legged and a tendency toward hyperactivity. Fortunately I stumbled on to some folks who bred them for 50 years, they were pure hunting stock, and resembled the old vintage pictures of Britts before WWII.
Shorter legged, broad back and chests, thicker coats, alert but not excitable, extremely eager to receive commands in body language, hand signals or voice. Some hunting partners, impressed with my dogs, charged out and bought high dollar dogs from good breeders, with mixed results, mostly disappointment from blown birds flushed well beyond gun range. Just one mans's experience.

The ones I hunted with are all close working dogs vs. short hairs which range considerably.

so if you are getting older a Britt is a huge plus.

I have a 3.5 year old, and he’s bigger than he is supposed to be but, he’s the best bird dog I’ve had so far.

I can't say enough great things about them. Great family dog and great in the field. This is Tessa who went to the game fields in the sky in 2017....miss her everyday. She was fantastic around the house, great with children, extremely loyal and eager to please. And an absolute machine in the field when it came to finding birds. When hunting with other breeds she would honor their point. But what was great is she would routinely find and point birds that those other dogs ran right by. Always made me proud.

its been a while but;

I've had 3, 1st was a male, grouse, dove and turkey's; when he winded turkeys he was so "birdy" he was hard to hold back, when i would let him go he would bust them up and we would sit an call em back in..
the 2nd was a female a friend who was moving into town had to get rid of, she was a house pet, several years old when i got her. best house alarm i have had.
3rd was a female, got her young, she was coming along good, pointing, holding and some basic hand and whistle commands, still young she got the "cat disease" can't think of the name, she had the shot for it, Parvo its called i think, anyway, she died on my lap on the way to the vets. they are great dogs, do need to exercise, smart, would let the kids do anything to / with them (they were young kids),

had a border collie after the brit's; really got her to keep an eye out around the house, possum, skunk, coon, stray cars, loved to chase tennis balls, she kept alot of people entertained fetching that ball so they would throw it again.. But, she was also possessive, when she was in the back of the truck, i think she would bite someone if they were not family.. they are smart, in the evenings we would go to the barn, call the horses and give them some oats, she picked up on that and had them in the barn before we got there. the longer hair was more brushing to keep it from matting up.

we are in town now and don't have the space i think to let them burn some energy, hell don't have any space, back yard is about 50x100; but when i retire i PLAN on getting another brit pup, its not that far to camp and friends farms, and would like to see how they do with squirrels, even fetching them would help, our grouse are all but gone (where i hunt); but still have turkeys.

i vote for the Brit.. for house pet and/or hunter, oh yea the male hated cats, he might have picked up on that from me; he also collected turtles and buried them in the yard.

I had a French Brit for sixteen years. Stonewall Jackson (aka, Jack, or as my daughter called him, Jacky Bear) was my best friend and a damn good dog. He did all I asked in the woods chasing what few grouse, woodcock, and pheasant we had around back then, and was a great day to day companion.



Youre on the right track, very intelligent, and easily trainable due to their natural eagerness to please. I knew nothing, and I do mean NOTHING about training dogs when I got him, and he made it easy. Using a few books and the internet, he and I learned together. We would never win any shows mind you, but he would point a bird, find the downed bird, and retrieve it happily. They like to work close, which was helpful.

He was about 38-40 pounds, rarely shed (moderately for a couple weeks each spring and again a little bit in the fall,) and aside from a grass allergy (yes, grass), he was pretty healthy until he got into his elderly years. I dont remember him drooling much, at least no more than any other dog.



If there is a caveat to the breed, this is it. Most people, including myself back then, are not prepared for the amount of energy and drive they bring to the table as pups, and maintain throughout their life. Jack didn't slow down until he was twelve. The energy level is obscene. The German Shephard I have now is a drivey working dog, and still a puppy, but she doesn't hold a candle to Jack's energy when he was middle aged, say six or eight.

Think... a sugared up 4 year old, who downed a case of Red Bull, with a bad case of ADHD. All the time. You'll get all the exercise you want and more.

Be aware, when left alone, they will find a self-satisfying behavior, usually digging or chewing to vent their energy.

Jack also had pretty bad separation anxiety, but so does my Shepard, so that may be the owner and not the breed.

All this talk about him, I may have to find some old photos to post up. Damn I miss that old boy.

Have never owned a Brit. , but have had two springers. Great dogs. Good retrievers. Love the water. Excellent family dogs.


Lefty

Re. Brittany’s drooling:
“Even the Brittany’s mouth was taken into account by breeders, who sought to develop a ‘tight and dry appearance’. This aspect was crucial, they believed, as it allowed the Brittany to retrieve a variety of small birds without their feathers sticking to it’s mouth and throat”.
Found this to be true as both Brits that I’ve owned did not drool.

3 Britts, 2 were from breeders (red flag, I think breeders put too much emphasis on hard athletic field trial instinct dogs), tall, rangy and long legged, very active tending almost to high strung, still decent dogs, but required a lot of time and effort. One, an orphan from Humane pound, unknown parentage, was the dog of a lifetime. Resembled in appearance the very old photos of the breed back in the middle of the last century, shorter, blockier, calm, inclined to use the nose and eyes rather than cover acres of ground, intelligent and very eager to please. Many times he would point birds that the aggressive hunting breeds would just blow on by. In one way, reminding me of the best stock dogs in the field, constantly looking to the master for cues of body language or hand signals. But, it also required the hunter to let the dog define the hunt to utilize that nose. Most guys dump their dogs out of the pickup and hunt the direction that suits the hunter, wrong. I always tried to hunt to allow the dog to utilize their incredible skills.
Anyway, I think they are a great breed.

I'm on my 2nd Brittany.

My first was also my first bird dog. She was my "dog of a lifetime". Intelligent, hard hunting, friendly. She lived inside all her life and was welcomed in the homes/hunting camps of many friends. She was the most "self aware" dog I've ever known. She passed in August at 14.5 yrs. old.

We learned of a friend that had taken a few bird dogs to re-home. Their owner had become too old to hunt. One of these was a female Brittany.

"She's probably never been in a house or ridden inside a car before. We think she is 4-6 yrs. old." we were told.

We visited and decided to give her a chance. From the first day she spent the night in our room. No accidents in the house. She craves attention. She hunts close (though our "hunts" have really been walks in the fields/woods). She is obedient and loving. She is friendly with other dogs and people and gentle with the neighborhood kids.

I'm beginning to think some of us may luck into two or more "dogs of a lifetime".

Hint

Once you PP you won't go back...

OK..Ive had both a Brittany and a Border Collie..so here goes...

The Brittany, on a comparative basis isn't as active, by far, as the Border Collie. It is a great companion, excellent family dog, mine was sweet as could be and loved the hunt. That said compared to a Border Collie she rode the short bus to school, and licked the windows.

The Border Collie is what I call a "dog for dog people" You better know your schitt and be ready to deal with an active intelligent dog, or they'll make your life miserable. Simple as that...if you know them, understand them, and partner with them, there is nothing they can't do.

If you liked the lab at all..I'd recommend the Brittany. A Border Collie is like getting a Ferrari for your first car...

My Brittany taught me how to hunt birds, a most excellent dog.

Get a German Short Hair pointer.....less frustrating to train.

x2.

I've seen and judged many Britts at NAVHDA events and AKC hunting tests. I've never seen one I'd own over a German Kurtzhaar (shorthair) or Drathaar (Wirehair). Britts tend to have to soft of a temperament for my type of dog, and many I've observed aren't natural retrievers.

Great dogs

I got 2 brits in 2006. Female passed a couple years ago, 15 year old male is asleep on the floor next to me right now. The finest quail dogs I’ve ever owned. As mentioned previously, they hunt close, but I was ok with that. I see some folks use them for ducks, but my 2 HATED water. So no good on ducks. But absolutely the best combo hunting/family dogs I’ve been around.

Not in any way pushing YOUR selection, but just some anecdotal from the other side. I’ve had and hunted with Brits (from good foot hunting lines), that were every bit as smart as most border collies I’ve worked with, as well as being as smart as most labs. Ive had Brits that were better swimmers than most duck dogs I’ve seen and that were crazy good natural retrievers. One liver roan Brit might have been the easiest to train dog I’ve ever been around, on top of being the most versatile dog I’ve ever owned, period. I’ve had some labs with PhDs in everything, and border collies that were mind readers, too. I think it’s more about lineage with Brits than whitewashing the whole breed.....I’ve seen stupid Brits, labs, and worthless BCs.....I’d take another Brit or Frenchie from the right lines, in a heartbeat.....but I’d be disappointed if they were not up to my previous dogs, too.....which is the lottery with trial stuff it seems these days. I’ve been impressed with WPGs, but not so much the couple of PPs I’ve been around.....they were good dogs, but didn’t seem on par on an instinct level with other dogs I hunted....more mechanical, maybe.....and could honestly be purely some fault that doesn’t lie with those dogs or the breed in general, but their training or breeding. No idea, only very limited PP hunting experience....and only one that I spent tons of time with otherwise.
I grew up foot hunting quail and woodcock, dove and ducks, and keeping dogs as an all around companions and helpers with cows and horses....not chasing ribbons or letters or keeping kennel dogs...., so take that all with a grain of salt. Anyhoo.

I spoke to him a few months ago and they're about year's wait on his dogs. Great breed though

Hunted over many brits, but have never owned one.

In the field, nobody can match their work ethic. Lotta dog in a small package. Love brits!

If a company could market the same brand loyalty that exists with Dogs they would sell out everything they make.

Have seen great Setters, English Pointers, Labs, Brittany’s, Springers, etc. In the field, the good ones all did it all when it came to putting Birds into the coat. One breed my excel at something the others may not, but give any of them a great nose and enough experience, and none were all around better than the others.

If any think there is only one, then they haven’t seen them all.

Truth

None come out of the box knowing how to handle Ruffed Grouse. I’ve killed more than I want to admit with Springers and Cockers. But with a hard flusher, you best pay attention and be on your toes.

Best Grouse Dog I ever saw was an English Setter-not mine-who had at least 500 shot over her points. At least....

Lacy was like a ghost with a deadly nose that moved thru the covers. But it didn’t happen out of the box.

We have owned 3 Brittanys. All were great and different (from pretty mellow to high endurance). All were great companions. Sometimes comical-will put a smile on your face. Smart and sweet. Loyal. Love the breed.

We've been looking around for another young dog / puppy. I love the temperment , and size of the Brittany (ours ran between 36-42 lbs). You DO have to excercise them. I took mine for a run an hour a day, and that barely takes the steam out of them. We had a female Llewellin Setter, that was just as sweet and mellow as the come in the house. Alert and ready outside. Wonderful dog ( 37 lbs).

We found a 9 week female puppy which is a Brittany / English setter (75% Brittany: 25% English Setter) mix. Parents are 37 and 42 lbs, so it should be a good size, and temperment for us. Hopefully she'll be healthy, due to a little mixing of the genetic pot. Picking her up Thursday.

Good luck. Don't overlook mixed-breeds.

Double post. Please delete.

Some of these posts crack me up. There is no one size fits all with any breed. All my Brits (currently own 3) are from hard core horseback field trial lines, they RUN big when they need to, yet shorten up when foot hunted off of. They can be high strung, but typically relax in the house after a few minutes. With that said, I have never just left a Brittany in the house when I was gone. That’s a recipe for disaster. Ill never say never, but I don’t see myself ever not having a Brittany to hunt over. For the guys saying that shorthairs are better, well we’ve obviously seen different dogs. I have seen some absolutely stupid shorthairs that shouldn’t even be fed. IMO, Brittany’s as whole, are a hell of a lot smarter than GSP’s.

After 4 labradors.... I got a Britt last December...

The little terrist have been exceptionally destructive... a sure fire sign that he is not getting enough exercise...

I can say a few things for sure... This little fuggr is smart... Not Border Collie smart... but way more wheels turning than a Labrador by far...

Bird crazy right out of the box... At 8 months... he is already pointing woodcock... not steady yet.... but still. Impressive.

We'll see what hunting season brings...

It sounds like you're looking for a companion dog more than a field dog. Britt would be a great choice. But get one from show stock........not hunting stock. My first Britt was a liver/white female from horseback FT stock. Took me the first year to reign her in to a closer working, hunting dog. She ended up being the dog of many lifetimes. Steady to wing & shot. Soft-mouthed retrieve to hand (even got a deep water retrieve on a turkey from her like she did it every day). Hunted balls out until I couldn't go anymore and still leaped into the bed of the pickup at the end. She was very affectionate to anyone. But really didn't want bothered much unless you were taking her to the field to run or hunt. At 4 years old I had her bred to the #2 stud Britt in the nation (#2 to his father who was #1) at that time. The sire was of show stock more than anything. Got 8 females and 2 males. Kept an orange female as my pick of the litter. Most beautifully perfect female Britt I've ever seen !!!! Dumb as a brick in the field. Sweet as pie. Laid back. But dumb. Never hunted a day in her life. But would have made a prefect companion dog.

I’ve had Brittany’s last 20 years. They are sweetheart dogs. None of mine have ever tried to bite anyone. They are very social and they lead the pack and have to be first around other dogs. They can run nearly 25mph and have the best endurance I’ve seen. They are curios at anything thing that flies and will sneak and point naturally. Only couple bad traits. They are stubborn and will try your patience. You need a big place for them to run. I have 200 acres and still have to keep in kennel case one neighbor that she bothers. You need to let them run a minimum of an hour everyday. They are extremely high energy and will go as long as you do. They are probably the most natural hunting breed I’ve ever seen. You will have to have good patience to own one. We let ours in the house at night in the winter. They are real easy to keep inside. They are a breeze to house train. When working them they get bored quick so you have to engage with activities. They are resilient and strong and healthy.