The Brittany Forum

Patricia · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:30 am Post subject:

This is an answer from an experienced gentleman who thinks nothing to travel all over the world to see the Brittanys. Thought some may like to read it Wink

I was out running my dogs tonight and I thought of your Post that I read a week or so ago.
And the answers you received.
I had four dogs on the ground.
Three of them were OUT there.
Each was in a different area and they each were just barely visible.
It was dusk as usual and I could see them OK....they were each out about 125-150 yards.
How do I know?
Well.
I have stepped it off many, many times.
Many times while running and training every evening and while hunting them (usually 40 days each season or a bit more) to get to a point.

Question: "What is the typical range of a Breton? "

ALL things considered, in short grassed prairie (which all woiuld agree is the max area for range), a well-conditioned and field/bird experienced EB will range around 100 yds more or less.
Just like most Continental Dogs like Braques etc.

Question: "How did the idea that "French Brittanies" work more or less in gun range take hold in North America?":

Who REALLY knows?
But there is an element of truth but only a bit of truth.
Plus the FCI FT RULES do require a dog (Continental) who quarters his field (in Spring FTs ---winter wheat) in a manner that would have a dog range maybe 75-100 yds on each side of the handler and within maybe 30-50 yds in front of the handler.
And the FT dogs do...are actually selected for this and a dog who ranges too far or too wide is penalized and discouraged by Judgment.

Statement: "Some would give a good setter or Pointer a run for the money."

Now I have been to over 12 Major Field Trials for EBs in France, Italy and Spain.
Have seen the major Dogs....maybe as many as 200 Breton dogs total.
I have seen the very best Bretons and Continental dogs in Europe.
AND
I have seen the Finals - Gran Quette (Barrage) of the English Dogs at the French Cup, 2006 and the same near Lake Guarda in Italy in 2007....and You are correct.
The English dogs simply do not range as BIG as the English dogs do in CA and the USA.

BUT
The average Breton does not range anywhere near as BIG as a Horseback USA Brittany.
Nope.
Not even close.
No 300 or 400 "meter" Epagneuls Bretons!

If you are on foot you cannot even SEE a dog out 400 yards!
Go step it off.

There is a difference in FT types...and it is all about what is desired and selected by the different parties.

Range.
And contact.

Regards

Greg Connolly