Hello to everyone

glynis · Hello to everyone

Hi all, I've just joined the forum. I now have a wonderful brittany girl of 6 months who is training me for the show ring Laughing

My other dogs are labradors who are rather bemused by the whirlwind that has landed in their midst! Due to work commitments I can only train for/go to dog shows, but would love the chance to see Brits at work. I really don't know how I could have gone through life not knowing that this wonderful breed existed Smile

rgds Glynis & Fen

johnhod

Hi Glynis. Welcome to the forum and to the breed.

How about a picture of your Brittany and some more details about her (pedigree, etc) for no other reason than that I'm nosy (but there are others on here who are a lot worse, as I'm sure you'll discover.

John

Ghilliegumdrop

guy

Hi Glynis and Fen.

Where in the world are you??
You do realise these dogs are infectious - once you have one you find a need for another.

commiserations to your Labs. Life is never going to be the same.
We are in NE Hants and always happy to meet other Britts.

Annie as admin

Welcome to the Forum - I hope you have lots of fun. You might find that you have to give up one or more of your other activities in favour of working Fen, you might catch the bug - love to hear more about her - I'm even nosier than John Wink

, and I have the breed database so can give you a lot more generations than is on her pedigree.
Annie
ps Hester (GWP) sends her condolences to your Labs (she is outnumbered 3 to 1) Laughing

Mugi

Hi and welcome Glynis and Fen.

There will be a whole heap of Brittanys on a training day not too far from you on May 31st, the following day is the club open show at Yelvertoft.

I am a fairly recent convert to the breed and got my youngster primarily for showing but I am so enjoying learning to work him. My mature rehome Mugi spent all last season as a beating dog (not perhaps the right place for a Brittany but at his age he had a ball Laughing

).

Patricia

Hello Glynis...My husband always had Retrievers before I came along Sad

When his boring Goldie died, it was time to have a dog with a proper sense of fun and true French spirit. We are up to 7 now,as Guy says, they are addictive. And yes, I guess we are all fairly nosy when it comes to bloodlines etc...I spend a lot of time on the French book d'elevage as it is so fascinating. Wink

Patricia

kandjt

Hi and welcome from another Brittany and Lab owner,

You'll soon find out that Brits are very good at teaching your labs all sorts of new tricks, some good and others not so good. Believe you me it doesn't get any better if you bring up lab puppies with Britttanys, I've got two who think they are big black Britttanys. It's not all bad news though as I work my dogs I teach my labs to hunt with my Brits and it certainly adds an extra dimension to their hunting.

Keith

Liz

Hi Glynis and welcome. We have 3 Brits and a 13 year old Weimaraner who is definitely a honorary Brittany.

He was smaller than our Brittany bitch when we got him as a pup - and until the day she died he still thought she was bigger than him Very Happy

glynis · Hellooooo to everyone

Hi all, thanks sooooo much for the responses, sorry I've been a bit late replying! I'll try and answer everyones questions. Some of you have already met me at the ringside, I'm the newbe who keeps asking naive questions Smile

You will all get the chance to see Fen at the open show which is going to be soooooo embarassing as she has her version of what you should do in the ring, trouble is, it's nothing like mine Laughing

Now to get down to the important bits: she's orange and white roan complete with rudder. Given the geographical location (near Leicester) you will not be surprised to know that she is an Eastonite babe! specifically Array Adorn x E. Tantivy. She also possesses 8 canines which is making checking her bite fun, as she is still rather tender in the mouth area. Don't know what else to add really, but I'm sure you'll ask Very Happy

Mugi could you give me more details of the training day please? that's if you can cope with more naive questions. Regarding more Brits, who knows, but I still have a great deal to learn about the breed in general and Fen in particular. Oh I forgot, her 'posh' name is Eastonite Cee Fennel among Glynhope. The affix came about because my name is Glynis and I hope I might occaisionally win a rosette!! (true, honestly). I was going to try and post a picture of Fen as a baby, but I'm a bit of a ludite so any pointers? (that's got to be an HPR pun!! Laughing

) She doesn't tend to keep still long enough at the moment! but I'll try. Patricia, I can't get a link to Le Livre d'elevage, can you send it me? Cor I've got so many questions that I want to ask, but I'll leave them for another time dag Glynis & Fen (and the labs!)xx

glynis · sorry

sorry 'mugi' should've put Sue in the response, but was trying to read too fast-told you I was a ludite! cheers G&F

Annie as admin

Hi Glynis
Attached is Trainign Day information document. if you want to come as a Trainee can you send the form anf payment back to me as soon as possible, if you would like to just come and observe that's fine too, but if you want lunch can you book it please. You probably won't need accommodation but we are going for a bar supper at the Barley Mow afterwards and a quiz, if you would like to join us - pay the pub on ordering your meal, not us, but I need numbers for them.
The Livre D'Elevage is accessed through the link to the French club website - click on Links, then France, then getting an EB, tehn Breed book.
To post a photo, first of all use your own software to compress/reuce the size of the photo, then click reply on here to open a new message then click on 'attach file' just below left of the box, navigate to where your photo is using 'browse' , click on 'post as thumbnail' click Ok, and it should be in teh box in code. Press preview to check it's there, then press submit to let us see her too.
Annie
ps the only stupid questions are those that are never asked

Click to download file

glynis

Hi Annie, cor that was a swift response! many thanks Smile

I will just come as an observer in the first instance, and yes I would like a meal. many thanks Glynis & Fen

Annie as admin

Ok, will add you to lunch list - do you want to come to the pub afterwards with us?

Patricia

Glynis, I think we may have met in Melton Mowbray...My daughter was judging.
Well, there should be more Eastonites in the ring!!!!
Curious to see what all the tails will be carried like!

guy

Don't just watch get stuck in! it is never to early to start.

glynis

Annie as admin

If you are unsure just keep her on the lead until a trainer tells you otherwise - that way she can't make you too embarassed Laughing

That's exactly what I'm going to do with Allez, because he'll probably go right down to the front door of the Hall otherwise Rolling Eyes

chasing everything with fur or feather on his way there Wink

And I'm taking his new harness (courtesy of Sue) and a long cord too.
Annie

glynis

Thanks for that Annie, don't mind being embarassed, I've shown chocolate labs for 8 years! but I didn't want to annoy other people on the training day. I've a very long training lead I could attach her which would give me the chance of "reeling her in" Laughing

What is this 'harness' you are using
rgds Glynis & Fen
ps thank you everyone for making me feel so welcome Very Happy

guy

Hey Glynis - i am a nice person.

Don't forget we all started somewhere and it is a 'training day' not a trial!

Mugi

Hi Glynis

The harness I am sending Annie is from here http://www.dog-games.co.uk/newshop/Harnesses+-+Fleece+Lined/ a Size 4 fits an adult male Brittany and is pretty adjustable. The company have also introduced the Perfect Fit harness which I know a forum member uses on her pups, the beauty is that you only need replace part of the harness as pup grows. I had a spare as bought one for my WSS but as he doesn't need it for the original purpose Allez is the lucky recipient Laughing

.

Chase my pup will be nearly 15 months old for the training day, when training one to one he is able to concentrate well and does beautifully, pop him in company and unless a miracle happens between now and then and he will become a whirling dervish who is gobby and determined to show me up.

Brittany owners look on with wry sympathy Laughing

.

glynis

thanks Guy, please keep telling me it is training!! I'm practically 90% sure I'll have a go, just need to make sure I can get some more basic obedience work in (do Brittanys do obedience?)
rgds G & F

johnhod

glynis

Thanks Sue, that's really helpful about the harness-only trouble is, which colour do I choose? can't have her street cred ruined can I? Laughing

best wishes G&F

glynis

Okay, okay, I GIVE IN! I'll go, just don't say you weren't warned Laughing

just need to buy some dummies as the ones I did have seem to have gotten lost in the house move. Take care all
G & F

guy

Cheap puppy dummies - disposable paint rollers. Some even have 'fur'

Pets R Us do some nice cordura type ones quite cheaply - i have one with a tennis ball on it on a rope - useful to get them to carry something like a duck. For some reason it is frowned at at the retriever training class. They also have a lovely duck and a pheasant with a quack / squawk - but they don't seem to last very long.

You can greatly improve the 'appeal' by tying on baler twine streamers - about 5 or 6 bits about a foot long (300mm).

quite a reasonable supplier http://www.thegundogclub.co.uk/sh...pplies/Retrievingdummies/list.htm

However anything that smells of you works - even a bit of stick that you place under your arm for a few moments!

glynis

thanks Guy, like the idea of the paint rollers! wouldn't have thought of that for myself. I can get the squeeky mallards ect quite cheap at Batleys the pet shop Cash & Carry, so I'll end up with a 'training' bag of bits 'n bobs' as well as a 'show' bag. Actually I'm getting quite excited about this now-just need to have a few words in Fen's furry ear Laughing

cheers G & F

Annie as admin

You'll need a game bag anyway once you go out in the 'field' so just get one now for all the dummies Wink

A cheapy will do so long as it's colour is muddy green or fiachy brown Laughing

Mine is a very pretty navy with biege carrying strap joker

Send your form and cheque as soon as poss as I move next Wednesday. YIKES!!!! IS it really only a WEEK!!!!!

Naomi

Hi Glynis,

Welcome to the forum, I have an Eastonite Baby too, cedar and she's as mad as a brush!

She's in season at the moment so she's driving me to distraction!

Hope to meet up with you at the traing day

Naomi

Annie as admin

Naomi
I don't have you and Cedar on the list - have you sent me your form because I haven't received it.

.:HayleyH:.

eddieh

I'm a little confused. Is this the training day at the end of May? If so, what's all the talk about game bags?

Naomi. Thanks for the chat at Crufts. It was nice to meet Cedar

Annie as admin

You won't need a game bag for the Training Day. But if you go out picking up once Tegen and the pup are trained you will need one.

guy

Patricia

You will find Brittanys really good in obedience! Laughing

At our club, it is not difficult to beat the other breeds Razz

and that is because they are far more intelligent..of course,that is because they are...French! Wink

Seriously now, if you can keep their nose off the floor, they understand all exercises in half the time,they are focused, motivated and even though they don't stick to you like a collie, they don't pull you like a Lab,and respond well to tit bits.
So have lots of fun...

eddieh

Naomi

Hi Eddieh, I'm sorry I can't remember talking to you at Crufts Embarassed

I talked to so many that day! Come and say hello again at the traing day Very Happy

Cedar does both, I see her stopping to sniff the air but I've also seen her track a scent on the floor. She may be learning that from the barmy beagle mind!

Annie yes Me, Chris and Cedar are coming to the training day, forms just went in the post today. I haven't had a entry form for the club show either, I'll call Paul.

Naomi

Patricia

Brittanys are air scenting dogs. and hunt with their head carried level with the back. Or should...If the nose is on the floor, they are ground scenting fur. Which I discourage as I don't want them going after rabbits or hares.
In doing obedience, I want them focused on me not the floor. Each time the head goes down, they get a firm" No". I have also some treats so they look at me...

Annie as admin

Patricia

Everyone to their own...I do not want my dogs going after rabbits as they might go and chase. If a hare has been sitting in the middle of the field, there is what we call " a seat". Wonderful smell and huge temptation to run after if the hare is still present. Nose goes down and I know just what they are on. I then call them off it. Straight elimination if they chase on a spring pointing test or else...This is my way though...

Annie as admin

That is exactly why I stopped them on the whistle as soon as they obeyed the 'get in' If they go on point you can't call them off so they have to 'get in.' They most certainly didn't chase the rabbit. Their noses were not down, they were in the air, ALL three of them, so the only way I'd have known it wasn't a bird is if I'd seen it which I did and took the stated action.

Patricia

My three just airscented a bunny - I saw it scamper off

So, you did see it !!!

Annie as admin

guy

Are you sure they were not sight pointing the rabbit?

I have to admit I am unsure why you would wish to send them in to a rabbit when as you had seen it away you could have used it as a chance to steady them to fur using 'ware rabbit' or similar.

You are certainly braver than me sending all three at once. Bravo.

Annie as admin

But I stopped them on the whistle. Rolling Eyes

They all sat immediately. And I had the advantage of knowing they couldn't go any further as they were all pointing towards the fence that runs along the river - with stock fencing. The rabbit had gone behind one of them and then ran away from them downwind and parallel to the river. If they had been sight pointing they'd have gone the same way as the bunny had. I suspect the bunny had been sitting for a bit and they were pointing the seat but it had previously moved out of the line of the very light breeze so they hadn't noticed it had gone.

Annie as admin

honeys humans

hi glynis (a bit late i know i've been busy) Smile

got a photo of fen to show and share?
regards

glynis

Hi Mike, I'm hoping to get a good picture of her when I go to ringcraft tomorrow Laughing

watch this space!
rgdsGlynis & Fen

glynis · finally, pictures of Fen

Click to see full size image

Click to see full size image

Hi all, here you are, pictures of baby Fen and big Fen. The 'baby' picture was taken the 2nd day I had her, and you can almost hear her saying "where's my Mummy? who are you? waaaah" bless! Glynis & Fen

Victoria

GORGUS

glynis

Thankyou Victoria Very Happy

she accepts all praises offered Laughing

I also know what Britmelt is (see other thread) as at the tender age of 7 months she has perfected the art of "the look", the "pitiful little whimper" the "why aren't you paying me attention sulk"! it's amazing, I think it should be part of the breed standard Laughing

rgds Glynis & Fen

Victoria

hehehehehehehehehe!!!!

Annie

Glynis
Try to set her up with her hocks under her hips. She is set a bit long in the photo. They aren't set up like other gundogs remember. I know she's still very young but try to get her free standing - looks so much better than stacked.
Annie

glynis

Thanks Annie, that is really helpful, it's very difficult when you are at the'head end'!! We are working towards free standing Laughing

but she does find anything more interesting than showing e.g. blade of grass, bird in tree. Can't say I really blame her Laughing

rgds Glynis & Fen

Annie

Yup, very typical. I took Freckles to her first obedience class last night with a view to doing agility (at nearly 7years old) Our trainer kept telling me he'd nail my treat hand to my side and charge me £5 every time I jerked the lead - it was Freckles that was jerking the lead - not me, and she wasn't in the slightest interested in titbits, more in what was going on in the next ring. But out of doors she stops, turns and recalls on the whistle almost 100% - try telling a trainer that - OH YEAH, Right!!!

Naomi

Hi Annie,

I think the problem with a lot of obedience classes are that they’re a ‘one rule fits all approach’ The thing I learned when I was bringing Gunner to classes have come in really useful when dealing with Cedar but didn’t work at all with Gunner. Namely the tit bit thing, The trainer said I should bring cooked chicken along and hold it in my hand and when I did that it was all Gunner was interested in, Beagles have such a strong sense of smell that having food anywhere about me just made him go mad for it and he used to jump up me, to which the trainer said just ignore him. Now that’s nigh on impossible as he’s got paws designed for digging and I was leaving obedience training with bruises all over my legs. In the end I left training and did it myself and I’d say I haven’t done too bad a job apart from the fact he runs off if I let him off the lead. Embarassed

So the point I’m making is that not all dogs/breeds respond to the same methods and I wish some trainers would see that and not treat all dog’s as if they were a collie Wink

lol

Naomi

Annie as admin

Naomi

Yes ... lol a poor bit of homeworking on our part! Chris loves his walks and Gunner and his antics soon put an end to that!!! Crying or Very sad

But Cedar is much more of a pleasure to walk and Gunner is always on the extendable lead much to his dismay! I wouldn't swap the little Twisted Evil

monkey for anything though as apart from the running away bit he's a lovely dog!

Naomi

Annie as admin

Mind you, I was speaking to one of my tradesmen the other day who has a couple of hound type lurchers. His garden fence is only 3 feet high and they never go over it. Maybe the non-hound bit stops them running off? Laughing

eddieh

Annie as admin

Bye, Tegen wav

Naomi

I always thought Tegens face had something Beagle-ish about it Wink

[/quote]

Lol ... they are very cute, Gunner is easily the best looking beagle in the world! Wink

I'm not biased ... honest! Very Happy

Naomi

eddieh

glynis

Hi, you're apprehensive Exclamation

I'm downright scared Exclamation

I can imagine it right now: Fen-oh goody lots of Britts, Fen- who are you? Fen-who are you calling? Embarassed

Ah well in at the deep end Laughing

rgds Glynis & Fen

johnhod

Really lookingforward to the training, especially as I won't have a dog with me this time and I'll be able to watch the rest of you, instead of making sure that Moss is somewhere within calling distance.

glynis

Are you sure you just want to watch, I can loan you Fen Laughing

rgds GLynis & Fen

sallie

Hi John, i can send you up Monet if you want Laughing

Mugi

glynis

Hi Everyone, sorry to be completely thick Embarassed

but what time does the training day start? and where do I need to go to gate-wise once I get to Stanford Hall, will there be a sign? rgdsGlynis & Fen

Annie as admin

YOu arfen't thick - I am! Embarassed

I forgot to put the start time on the info sheet Embarassed

9.30 am in the car park past the caravan site one.
Sorryyyyyyyy Rolling Eyes

glynis

Thankyou Annie, I'd blame it on the stress of moving house if I were you Wink

rgdsGlynis & Fen

Annie as admin

It was lovely to meet all you 'Forumers' - a new word for 'Bretonniers' Wink

I hope you all had a super weekend and will come to "Le Weekend" at Catthorpe Manor, near Lutterworth, in October.

My son Donald is in the process of re-designing the website, with help from Mike, our host, Guy and Johnhod. As soon as we have full details for the Weekend he'll get them up on the new website. So WATCH THIS SPACE!

Book your dates NOW! - Friday 3rd October afternoon from 1pm Cold Game and Water Retrieving Training with John Anderson, Saturday 4th October various activities, including the TAN (natural aptitude test for all dogs who haven't pased it before - any age), mini working test, show training and grooming, talk on the breed and its history, clicker training, obedience, KC good citizen Bronze training and testing, sprint, Falconry display from Committee member,Steve Wright,(http://www.stevewrightfalconry.co.uk/)
Then in the evening the Annual Club Dinner, a buffet this year, possibly with some light entertainment. Then on Sunday 5th October the Championship Show. Accommodation and woodland walks on site, dogs allowed in rooms (but bring a cage if you intend leaving it in the room alone)
I hope you will ALL come - you are getting plenty of notice so book the time now.
Annie

Hello to everyone

Hellooooo to everyone

sorry

finally, pictures of Fen