Brittanys and Duck Hunting

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 2:54 pm

I was just wondering how many of you duck hunt with your pointing dogs. I live in Arkansas, and the lab I bought last year didn't work out. The one I have this year will be good. Hence, last year I used my Brittany's for duck hunting. They did really well even when it was 9 F degees out.

britspan · Post by **britspan** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:18 pm

I've been using my brit duck hunting since she was about 9 months old. She's done fine even in the cold months.

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:45 pm

Very Cool Britspan. These are truely unique dogs. I have even used the one pictured above for hearding sheep. She is just one of those dogs that knows what I want her to do. I sure wished I had another like her, but she has only had one pup that came close.

gittrdonebritts · Post by **gittrdonebritts** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:02 pm

I have a couple britts all will go in water and the 1 I really worked with at it has turned out to be a heck of a waterfowl dog.

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:23 pm

Nice Gitttrdone

jarbo03 · Post by **jarbo03** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 8:06 pm

My britt ended his career with hundreds of ducks and geese retrieved. He was great in the blind and couldn't ask for a better dog while field hunting.

britspan · Post by **britspan** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:12 pm

One of the December hunts she was retrieving in a frozen swamp and the hair on the back of her legs was frozen together.. Needless to say her eyes were stilled zoned in on the mallards coming into the decoys.

gittrdonebritts · Post by **gittrdonebritts** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:57 pm

The first Britt I used for waterfowl was mostly Orange but would be pure white with ice after some cold late season goose hunting over water needless to say his favorite spot in the blind was next to the propane heater

I have and always will promote the Britt as a true versatile if you give them the chance they will preform.

GUNDOGS · Post by **GUNDOGS** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:53 am

well the OP said if you have a pointing dog that waterfowl hunts so i will jump in, i dont have a britt but intend to get one in the next year or two for my 12 year old who wants to get into confirmation and agility..BUT we are planning on alot of waterfowls hunts with our GSP pup and we are training her in the blind right now..cant wait until september

...ruth

JWP58 · Post by **JWP58** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:56 am

I've wondered if anyone used a britt to duck hunt, guess that answers my question.

Anyone dove hunt with one? I mean its bascially the same as duck hunting minus the water...

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:37 am

I have duck hunted, all upland bird species, and dove.
I am really enjoying the fact that people are using them as a versatile breed.

gittrdonebritts · Post by **gittrdonebritts** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:54 pm

JWP58 wrote:Anyone dove hunt with one?

I wait till they are a finished dog in the uplands to use one on Dove or duck or work on dove and duck type stuff staying still learning multiple marks, My Jill dog will even do basic handling back over and that

Dashin Gun Dogs wrote:I am really enjoying the fact that people are using them as a versatile breed.

I think it is wonderful and would like to see more of it and more people putting them in the show ring

britspan · Post by **britspan** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 5:40 pm

I also have used my brit for dove hunting. She absolutely loves it as well, they are so eager to please they will do whatever you expect of them. The hardest thing for her to understand is sitting still while dove and duck hunting, she just wants to run and find the birds.

JWP58 · Post by **JWP58** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:53 am

After walking my 3month old pup by a pond last night and seeing his reaction (would NOT get out of the water) eventually he might have a future as a duck dog lol

gittrdonebritts · Post by **gittrdonebritts** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:39 pm

JWP58 wrote:After walking my 3month old pup by a pond last night and seeing his reaction (would NOT get out of the water) eventually he might have a future as a duck dog lol

get the pup loving water now and you'll be well on your way to having a britt duck dog

northern cajun · Post by **northern cajun** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:59 pm

Dont underestimate a well bred brit they are great little hunting machines.

Wild Mountain Kennels in Pa produces some of the better if not best brits I have seen and I have seen a few not all lines thou.

I believe you should send a pm to KiKi'smom her forum name.

Good luck.

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:01 pm

You are correct. There is nothing better than a well bred Brittany. I have seen several good lines, and I have seen poor lines. They all usually make good pets, but I like the lines that make great versatile dogs. I really enjoy the fact that the Brittany has more "Dual Champions" than any other breed.

gittrdonebritts · Post by **gittrdonebritts** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:06 pm

My hunting buddy said he own's britts cause it cost just as much to feed and ugly dog as it does to feed a good looking dog but he'd rather own a good looking dog

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:33 pm

We were at a field trial one time, and of course the pointer guys were ribbing us. My wife said "we got us a pointer now" all the guys wanted to know the bloodlines and coming over to listen to her. She paused and said "well, we had to get somthing to keep the tics and fleas off our good dogs."

gittrdonebritts · Post by **gittrdonebritts** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:42 pm

Dashin Gun Dogs wrote:well, we had to get somthing to keep the tics and fleas off our good dogs."

Awesome !

Onk · Post by **Onk** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:25 pm

Dashin Gun Dogs wrote:We were at a field trial one time, and of course the pointer guys were ribbing us. My wife said "we got us a pointer now" all the guys wanted to know the bloodlines and coming over to listen to her. She paused and said "well, we had to get somthing to keep the tics and fleas off our good dogs."

Priceless!

Ruffshooter · Post by **Ruffshooter** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:49 am

Buster. He has a great coat, never gets cold, although this day was in the 50's. I hunt with him into Nov.

Birddog 307 · Post by **Birddog 307** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:00 pm

Charlie loves to hunt and retrieve geese.
Birddog 307

Birddog 307 · Post by **Birddog 307** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:01 pm

I forgot to post a picture.
Birddog 307

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:45 pm

Beautiful

britspan · Post by **britspan** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 4:24 pm

Birddog 307 wrote:Charlie loves to hunt and retrieve geese.
Birddog 307

I never got ahold to a goose last season to see what mine would do with a bird half the size of her. . She will probably turn around and look at me like "what the heck am I supposed to do with this thing?"

Post by **ezzy333** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:21 pm

Dashin Gun Dogs wrote:I have duck hunted, all upland bird species, and dove.
I am really enjoying the fact that people are using them as a versatile breed.

Why don't you post the pedigree of each of the dogs on your web site. Might help sell your pups and I sure would like to see what they are.

Ezzy

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Fri Jul 01, 2011 6:30 am

Ezzy appreciate the advice. I will let you know when it is done.

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:14 am

Ezzy,
The pedigrees are posted. I just never put much emphasis on a pedigree anymore. I have bought national champion bred to national champion and still not get good dogs. I have change my breeding program over the years. I tend to breed or buy several pups per year, and I keep the best.

Post by **ezzy333** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 12:30 pm

Dashin Gun Dogs wrote:Ezzy,
The pedigrees are posted. I just never put much emphasis on a pedigree anymore. I have bought national champion bred to national champion and still not get good dogs. I have change my breeding program over the years. I tend to breed or buy several pups per year, and I keep the best.

Not a bad way to go but I do like to line breed when I start breeding. I want some uniformity plus I have found lines I like and also try to stay with Brits I know have been kept pure over the years.

Ezzy

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 1:11 pm

I feel you on line breeding. I have had success with establishing consistent performers across litters with line breeding. Breeding, as you know, when you find something stick with it.

terrym · Post by **terrym** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:31 pm

Well I'm off to the cottage I rent every year for my summer vacation and it's' front door is about 50Ft from the lake. My 1 yr old Britt pup never passes by water without jumping in it but next week will get his first deep water work. He seems to love the water and there is a nice gradual drop into deeper water to let him get comfortable. Definitely will be working him everyday on the retreiving. We'll see, maybe I have a duck hunter as well as a grouse dog? I'll let ya know how it works out.

Dashin Gun Dogs · Post by **Dashin Gun Dogs** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:13 pm

Good luck. I would rather have a good grouse dog. It is nice when they duck hunt too.

terrym · Post by **terrym** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:19 am

Update:
Well, I'm back from holidays and let me say I was pleasantly surprised. My young Britt beelined to the training dummy on his very first water retreive. I started with a short one to let him get used to the deep water and from then on he was going straight to the dummy with a nice straight back retreive every time. The little bugger loves water and spent a good part of each day in it. Now I'm wondering about trying the NAVHDA route with him. I originally thought developing a good pointer was enough challenge but he's a natural water retreiver anyway. This is my first pointing dog but I have to say this little dog of mine impresses me alot. I see good things in our future together

britspan · Post by **britspan** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 7:28 pm

terrym wrote:Update:
Well, I'm back from holidays and let me say I was pleasantly surprised. My young Britt beelined to the training dummy on his very first water retreive. I started with a short one to let him get used to the deep water and from then on he was going straight to the dummy with a nice straight back retreive every time. The little bugger loves water and spent a good part of each day in it. Now I'm wondering about trying the NAVHDA route with him. I originally thought developing a good pointer was enough challenge but he's a natural water retreiver anyway. This is my first pointing dog but I have to say this little dog of mine impresses me alot. I see good things in our future together

Great picture! Looks like that dog has some determination in its eyes

terrym · Post by **terrym** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 8:39 pm

Thanks, my wife doesn't call it determination though. Demon comes to mind...............

A/C Guy · Post by **A/C Guy** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:33 pm

JWP58 wrote:I've wondered if anyone used a britt to duck hunt, guess that answers my question.

Anyone dove hunt with one? I mean its basically the same as duck hunting minus the water...

We hunt dove with our Britts. We also hunt rabbit with them. They track deer and elk also. They are truly an all round do it all hunting dog.

terrym · Post by **terrym** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 12:13 pm

A/C Guy wrote:
JWP58 wrote:I've wondered if anyone used a britt to duck hunt, guess that answers my question.

Anyone dove hunt with one? I mean its basically the same as duck hunting minus the water...
We hunt dove with our Britts. We also hunt rabbit with them. They track deer and elk also. They are truly an all round do it all hunting dog.

This may be a dumb question but when you hunt rabbits are they pointing them or trailing them like a hound?

gittrdonebritts · Post by **gittrdonebritts** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 3:30 pm

Can't speak for his dogs but mine point them when we are out bird hunting mostly, I don't go out just for rabbits but often flush them out when hunting in the thicker cover around wooded edges.

Post by **Sharon** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 10:30 am

Nice picture but I can count the hairs on your head.

Just make sure the dog can get completely out of the water between retrieves.

isonychia · Post by **isonychia** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:46 am

Sounds like I am missing out on a lot with my dog not retrieving at all! Next year will be almost as exciting as this season just because we will have gone through force fetching and I will be able to see my dog do twice as much. I'd love to waterfowl hunt with my brit, going to have to wait a year or two though, don't even know where to begin training to stay in the blind and especially marking birds!