Flat-coat Retriever ???

[krakadawn]

Your 4 points are very reasonable. There are numerous others if people are interested but better not get into health clearances or we'll have more PM's floating around......good lord!

[Sharon]

Has to be carefully considered though Krakadawn - who gets up at the crack-of dawn?

NorthernGrouse:

Don't forget to read up on health clearances essential for the breed you choose. I started a new thread on the topic.

** Don't forget the Canadian Gun Dog Forum - LOTS of experienced retriever folk there.

Just realized: By the sound of your user name , you best be getting a bird dog. A GSP will hunt birds well and retrieve early season duck. I've had 2 and they were fine in the house with sufficient exercise.

** last post here . Sorry to have said so much.

[krakadawn]

This seems to be common in the States, and it's one reason that their hunt test standards are lower (for spaniels, anyway). There's a big difference between breeders who put junior hunt test titles on their dogs, and breeders who actually hunt over their dogs....

You make a very valid point about lowering standards especially in various field sports. Major push over time has come from breeders who are involved in show and obedience. The big perk is to claim some level of field title so that their dogs may appeal to unsuspecting/uninformed buyers. I do not disparage show/obedience folks at all.....be clear about that but when some claims about getting an outstanding field product are made....well....enough said especially when you talk about titles listed behind a dog's name as opposed to in front of it....there is no comparison.
There are a few kennels though that truly aspire to produce an animal who 'may' meet standards across the board. Good for them.....a big challenge.

[yellow dog]

NorthernGrouse I was speaking to my friend at DueNorth kennels today. It has been many years since i have connected with her and thank you for bringing up this topic. I will be paying her a visit in the near future to see her dogs in action and look at her training facility. She has come a long way from when I first met her and her dedication to the breed and training is inspiring.

[cdelargy]

NG, could you share why you changed your mind on the Brittany? I have a 1 1/2 yr old granddaughter and 2 Britts, 18 & 6 mths. They are fantastic with her. The older Britt has an FDJ and will be doing FD in the spring. This is my first experience training and owning a Britt and am glad I did not listen to the negative's. They are a very sweet unbelievably loving breed that do turn the field exuberance off when they get in the house.

[NorthernGrouse]

NG, could you share why you changed your mind on the Brittany? I have a 1 1/2 yr old granddaughter and 2 Britts, 18 & 6 mths. They are fantastic with her. The older Britt has an FDJ and will be doing FD in the spring. This is my first experience training and owning a Britt and am glad I did not listen to the negative's. They are a very sweet unbelievably loving breed that do turn the field exuberance off when they get in the house.

I was pretty much decided on the Brittany until speaking/PMing with a couple of Brittany owners. Like you, they loved their dogs and highly recommended them. The one caveat was that Brittany's may be too active sit in a blind as waterfowl dog must do. I had heard and read that they are good duck dogs. So I am confused as to whether or not a Brittany will be good for water retrieves of ducks.

Secondly, he described his Brittany,in the field, as a wide ranging, fast moving bird dog. He loved that, but I don't think I would. I have hunted with two dogs:
- An English pointing dog who covered a lot of ground and was amazing at finding birds. But for the most part he was out hunting on his own until on point, they we were a team.
- a Golden that I trained (such as it was). She worked close and was rarely more 30 or 40 yards from me. She was not nearly as successful at finding birds, but we were very much hunting together and I loved that. It was more about the companionship and less about hoovering the area for every bird.

So, just to be clear, I have not been turned off getting a Brittany, I am just expanding my search. I thought the Flat-coat Retriever might be the "one" for me, but based on the feedback for several members I have ruled out that breed. I do love much of what I have heard about them, but some of the cautions have made me realize that the breed is not right for me at this time.

A Lab is still on my list, my main concern is size. l prefer a smaller breed, such as the Brittany.

Soon I will visit a few breeders to finalize my decision.

[trkyhntr21]

It sounds like you first need to decide if you want a dog that points birds or a flusher.

[CamoIsMyColour]

It sounds like you first need to decide if you want a dog that points birds or a flusher.

Also how late in the year you will be hunting water!! Brittanys are awesome but only single very light coated not a great december waster dog vest or not...just another consideration...

[trkyhntr21]

It sounds like you first need to decide if you want a dog that points birds or a flusher.

Also how late in the year you will be hunting water!! Brittanys are awesome but only single very light coated not a great december waster dog vest or not...just another consideration...

Agreed there's some Versatile breeds that can meet the requirements of pointing birds and also be a reliable retriever of ducks and geese in colder temperatures. The serious hardcore waterfowlers seem to have labs or a Chesapeake for a reason.

[CamoIsMyColour]

Agreed there's some Versatile breeds that can meet the requirements of pointing birds and also be a reliable retriever of ducks and geese in colder temperatures. The serious hardcore waterfowlers seem to have labs or a Chesapeake for a reason.

Yep....my labs will retrive any bird anywhere when I ask them to do so...they are just happy retrieving and being out in the lake, marsh, pond, field, bush they dont care....very wersatile companions...