Can anybody tell me about Brittany Spaniels?

[c_lou]

I am looking at getting a Brittany for the family. Anybody have any insights into them? Are they way past hyper? Are they good family dogs?

I would like to train it to be a shed antler dog. Anybody have any expierence with training a shed antler dog?

Thanks

[hammerforged]

I know they make great dogs for hunting Pheasant but don't have any experience with them as "shed" dogs.

[SonnyThomas]

Can anybody tell me about Brittany Spaniels?

Brits are great family/house doge and great all round hunting/retrieving/pointing dogs. With webbed feet they can make good water dogs - some swim a bit slow and low in the water and others can zip shoulder high past a lab.

My Brit (from Goodnite Kennels) was retrieving pigeons at 12 weeks of age and at home doing a good job of "chewing" up and keeping my 4 year old son occupied. Buck was well on his way to going on point at about 4 months and later pointed anything I wanted to hunt, birds, squirrels, rabbits and probably elephants if I would've hunted them. Great on doves, I turned down more than a few coins for him. He past away from cancer at 7 years of age. His replacement is female Brit/Springer cross.

I don't know about sniffing out antlers, but Buck learned go on point on mushrooms.

[coles]

the only experience i have with them is bad. I do not believe it is the breed though. He was just not trained right and was just down right miserable to be around. He crapped everywhere, in the back of the truck, kennel, anywhere he pleased. Listened like a post even with a shock collar on. My grandpa got him full grown from someone and didnt keep him long. I dont think others would be like him though. My great grandpa used to have them and from what i have heard they were very good dogs.

[redkneck]

Had one that was given to me by a cousin. His girlfriend was rich and paid through the teeth for the puppy but they decided to give him away when they moved. The dog was off a little, or at least he had some wierd quirks. He would retrieve, took to the water really good, but always had an odor in that matted hair of his. You'll have to get him groomed from time to time.

[Tominator]

First dog I ever owned on my own and it was the best dog too. Great temperment, great with kids, small enough that won't break the food budget, but big enough to run all day.

If I ever get another dog, (which I doubt), it will be a Brit.

[buckee]

They can be pretty high strung. I've found that the females are a bit easier to deal with.

[Norm Sauceman]

It is a dog. ;->

[Strut10]

I used to raise, train and hunt Britts. Super, super dogs (when raised right, like any other breed). Great dog for kids. I used to run mine in AKC hunter tests and marshalled a few tests, as well. I've never seen a Britt misbehave (temperment-wise) or ran across one I thought would bite anyone. They can make an excellent (barking) watchdog, too. They are a hard working dog in the field and can run with any pointer or setter if not leave them in the dust. Do your homework, select a reputable breeder and enjoy your Britt.

Here's a shot of my (she's gone now) Belle doing what she did best.

[Mach1]

Love that picture. Fantastic work Strut. That would be a pic I'd have framed if it was mine.

When I was younger we had a female Brit that was a great bird dog. (Also had a black lab) She was also very protective of my brother and I. One time when we were both still fairly young, we were outside and the UPS guy pulled in, she got between the UPS guy and us and would not let him get near the house. I'm not even sure how old she was, but she eventually got hit by a car and she had to be put down.

When we moved to the house my parents live in now, my dad bought another female Brit that is almost a spitting image of the first one. She'd be a good bird dog if we had the birds around like we used to. He got a black lab too, so now it's just about like old times, except the lab is the most gunshy dog I've ever seen and doesn't go waterfowl hunting with us.