Flat-coat Retriever ???

[yellow dog]

What about a curly coated retriever ?

[Cass]

Flat coats are not popular because in general they are not on the same level as the other retriever breeds. Even in the UK where flat coats are more popular they are miles behind other gun dog breeds. They were bred solely for show for a very long time... takes a long time to breed that out.... easier to breed brains out of a dog than into one.

[Sharon]

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.

#1 underlined:
I think this is B.S.

It's all in the training. Be assured that an lab is just as eager to get at that bird , but proper training makes all the difference.

#2 - A good friend of mine who is a pro trainer had a fantastic Brittany who ranged out 600 yards ++ and won many a trial. It doesn't matter how far they range out as long as they hold the bird until you get there.( The birds are OUT there.)

He 's also very capable at training someone's Brittany to stay within 50 yards if that's what the hunter wants. It's all in the training .( Don't buy from a field trial line.)

If one is going to have a bird dog hunting at 30 yards, they might as well save their money and kick the bird up themselves. or get a spaniel. just kidding Cass

underlined #3:

What ???? If you want to trade finding birds for fellowship then get a JRT.

PS Still say a Brittany, GSP or GWP ( choose the runt or the smallest pup ) , is your best choice .... bird finder and early season duck retriever. ... not from a field trial pedigreed line.

PS
edited to make it clear I was just teasing Cass and Krakadawn.

[Longgun]

Curlies are a great breed but I think they need an experienced handler. The ones I have been around seem to need a little more finesse. If you have trained a golden before why not stick with what you know?deb

[trkyhntr21]

Sharon please enlighten us why not a dog from a field trial line?
" PS Still say a Brittany, GSP or GWP ( choose the runt or the smallest pup) , is your best choice .... bird finder and early season duck retriever. ... not from a field trial pedigreed line."

[Sharon]

I'm not sure I can "enlighten " anyone , but....the OP has made it clear that he wants a close -working dog. Why buy a big, running, pointing breed from a pointing breed trial line ? Much harder to pull a dog in than get it to move out jmo.

edited for punctuation - an old teacher

[yellow dog]

Your a very brave women Sharon.

[trkyhntr21]

I'm not sure I can "enlighten " anyone , but....the OP has made it clear that he wants a close -working dog. Why buy a big running pointing breed from a pointing breed trial line ? Much harder to pull a dog in than get it to move out jmo.

Really because you said this earlier
" It's all in the training. Be assured that an lab is just as eager to get at that bird , but proper training makes all the difference."

Then you say this " - A good friend of mine who is a pro trainer had a fantastic Brittany who ranged out 600 yards ++ and won many a trial. It doesn't matter how far they range out as long as they hold the bird until you get there.( The birds are OUT there.)
He 's also very capable at training someone's Brittany to stay within 50 yards if that's what the hunter wants. It's all in the training"
"If one is going to have a bird dog hunting at 30 yards, they might as well save their money
and kick the bird up themselvesor get a spaniel."

So obviously they can be trained to work close and to remain still if given the proper training.

[trkyhntr21]

Just trying to explain to people that just because you buy a dog from a "trial " line doesn't necessarily mean a wild run off out of control dog.
So far from what I have seen is its nicer to have a dog with drive and heart that you get to buy in and train properly, than a dog that just don't have the stuff and trying to add it later.

[yellow dog]

Flat coats are not popular because in general they are not on the same level as the other retriever breeds. Even in the UK where flat coats are more popular they are miles behind other gun dog breeds. They were bred solely for show for a very long time... takes a long time to breed that out.... easier to breed brains out of a dog than into one.

Contact my good friend at DueNorth kennels and have that discussion. Let me know how it works out for you.