Hawkwise Brittanys 

There are only a few litters of Brittanys bred every year in the UK. This is perhaps a good thing as the breed is 'high maintenance' and is not one that should be taken on lightly. Anyone thinking of buying one should ask themselves 'What do I want a Brittany for?' This is very relevant as the breed, charming though they may be, need an active role in life. Being 'just a pet' is an honourable job for any dog but the Brittany will not find it will be sufficient to keep them occupied. They have a great need to do something, and if you do not provide them with a purpose in life they will simply do everything - but at a million miles an hour.

What Brittanys can do

The Brittany is a Hunt/point/retriever (HPR) and is basically a nose on legs. In fact it is a very good nose on very good legs. It has bottomless stamina and will keep running as long as its nose can keep picking up scent, ie. pretty much for ever. Therefore it will need physical and mental exercise.

Falconry

Probably falconry and hawking offer the most natural outlet for the breed. They will readily form an 'unholy alliance' with their master's birds of prey and will work tirelessly to find game. Steadiness is not something they do well and in the hands of the falconer this is of small consequence. The bird will always be faster, and get there first, while the dog will quickly learn respect for their hunting companion. Most working Brittanys are involved in falconry but live very happily as family pets when off duty. Their sunny temperament and general happy approach to life make them great companions for children, and they will be mauled about, dressed up, etc. without ever tiring of the game.

Shooting

If you want a dog for rough shooting and 'walked-up' days then the Brittany would be one of the first candidates. They will find and point fur and feather and will mostly retrieve well provided you have put time into their early training. They enter cover and water readily and, despite their diminutive size, are able to cope with the deepest heather and carrying game as big as brown hare.

Taking a Brittany on a driven shoot is not a very good idea. They will become over-excited by the sheer amount of game and will appear to be completely out of control (which may actually be the case). It is a good way to lose friends and make yourself and your dog unwelcome, so, if you are seeking a 'different' bred to avoid the endless numbers of springers and labradors, they are not the answer.

Agility

This sport is increasingly popular and is one that is suitable for all active members of the family. There are different categories and most Brittanys fall into the same class as the ubiquitous Border Collie, with whom nothing much can compete. Some smaller individuals can creep into the next smallest category and do very well. For Brittany owners who are not into field sports this offers an energetic outlet that Brits do well at. However it has been known for a Brittany to do a sudden but unauthorised ninety degree turn in pursuit of an elusive scent of rabbits!

Trail running

This sport is very new in the UK and should be ideal for the Brittany. They will happily run into a harness for hours and will keep up this pace over marathon distances. In North America Brittanys are sometimes crossed with huskies to put extra speed and sharpness in to sled racing teams.

Obedience and heelwork to music

Brittanys have been trained for both these pastimes and love doing anything with their owner. It is fair to say that if you are aiming very high they may let you down more than they will bring home the trophies.

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FORTHCOMING LITTERS

Because Brittanys are demanding dogs they are not generally available through the dog press or your local paper. With only 3,000 individuals in the UK this means that only about 3% (90) are actually bred from. In the first half of 2011 a mere 67 puppies were registered with the Kennel Club so it is unlikely for 'production' to exceed 150 in the year as a whole. With some 300 needing replacing every year you can see that demand far outstrips supply.

To buy a well-bred puppy you will need to source several breeders and put your name down for a puppy with each of them. This will give you an option and does not commit you to buying one if you do not want.

Hawkwise Brittanys intend to have pups available from 2 different litters in the first half of 2012. These are as follows:

Ch Dag at Skinfaxi x Broadwing Corn Dolly at Hawkwise

Ch Dag at Skinfaxi is owned by Fiona Wensley, who is a noted competitor and judge of HPR Working Trials. He is the top winning field trial Brittany in the UK and gained his show title in a handful of outings. He is by Hawkwise Highlander from Sif Goldbraid, Fiona's very successful trialling bitch. Broadwing Corn Dolly at Hawkwise is the mother of Hawkwise Fair Copy (see below). Dolly is due in season in February 2012 and should whelp in mid-April with pups being ready for sale some 8 weeks later.

Hawkwise Highlander x Hawkwise Fair Copy

Hawkwise Highlander is the father of Ch Dag at Skinfaxi, the grandfather  of Corn Dolly and the great-grandfather of Fair Copy. It has taken many years to get to this stage in our breeding plans where we can line-breed for the first time, in an attempt to further secure the good qualities of this great old dog. We anticipate this litter arriving at about the same time time as Corn Dollys.

These litters represent the outcome of many years of selective and successful breeding, primarily for the field but with a nod towards show quality as well. Brittanys are still a dual purpose breed and it is our aim to maintain this. Above all we are concerned that our pups will be happy, friendly well-adjusted personalities that will give joy and companionship to their future families. If you have found our website and read this far we think you are serious about the breed so please get in touch with Steve Wright. His email address is stevewright.falconer@virgin.net or you can telephone him on 01789 772413.

Hawkwise Highlander x Stourling Domina

A litter has just been whelped (4th January 2012) from a pet bitch (but out of working lines) mated to Hawkwise Highlander. There are 2 black & white dogs and 6 bitches (3 black & white and 3 orange & whites). All have tails and will not be docked. The breeder is Alison Pettit, of East Sussex, and she can be contacted by email on alilula@talk21.com or on 07785 745468.