Thread: Brittany Spaniel

I figured as much. Do they tend more towards the pointing, flushing or retrieving side of thing's, or more all-rounders?

Originally Posted by Wirehunt

I figured as much. Do they tend more towards the pointing, flushing or retrieving side of thing's, or more all-rounders?

Essentially the breed is hunt point and retrieve, as Hales writes, and historically was and is a fur and feather dog. Originating in the hands of the Bretagne peasants, their dogs were kept to sustain the household. He will dig out kit rabbits, demolish hedgehog nests, and help retrieve trout.
I have found, in my experience only!! that the EB has a more intense point...some are natural retrievers and some need gentle and coercive persuasion...my bitch will NOT retrieve a cold bird as in retrieve training, but a hot bird, rabbit etc yes. The intensity of their prey drive determines the staunchness of the point...may I cite an example...a friend was after chukor, his EB was some three hundred plus metres up a craggy hill on point...he looked up the hill and went 'oh no' (it had been a long day!!!) but he was able to make his way up there because he knew that his dog would be on point as long as it took for him to get there! They will retrieve on land and water. They are high energy. Like us all, experience hones their abilities...
I think one of the joys of owning a Brittany, be he an American, or French or a combination of the two (which is the predominant in this country) is that this dog is great around the home and I have never met one (here, Australia, North America and France) that was not was of a 'kind' disposition. While sometimes stubborn, he cannot be harshy remonstrated nor left in a kennel to fester.