my first criteria on a Britt since 1980 is how many titles and how far back in the pedigree-
you think those fella's who put titles on their dogs breed for why-
it's the nose and the drive and the natural ability they were born with- modified to what makes a winner- always has been that way-
regular good hunting dog- may or may not throw a good pup
proven champions- just about the only thing that can go wrong is someone who doesn't know what they have or how to bring it along
find someone who knows about dogs who can say anything bad about a dog out of Nolan's Last Bullet bred to real good female
"titled parents are no guarantee of natural ability" oh how wrong you are- why do you think most of these well bred Britt's don't need to be trained to point, honor, and retrieve
Where did you get the idea that I was dismissing a good pedigree? Your comment was about DC's and I agreed. I said it was a starting point, and that hunting ability was more important to me than a show title. Because of AKC conformation rules Fr Brits get disqualified rom the show ring if they have a black nose. Not so in Europe. It made finding DC's in the line an impossibility unless I imported directly from Europe at the time I was looking for dogs.
I think we are more in agreement than disagreement. I probably should have said that somebody who doesn't know what he is doing can screw up a well bred dog.
As for you comment about Nolan's last bullet, I could say the same thing about Ska de St. Tugen, Dallas du Hameau de Sorney, Talusland Black Bart, etc. In the Golden Retreiver breed, you can find some damn fine dogs that came out of Cotton and his titled progeny, or Tangelo's Howdy Pardner.
I know and appreciate that there is a tremendous amount of work getting dogs to perform at the standards set for championships. There is also a tremendous amount of selection to get the right dog. Not every dog makes the cut. The result is a great line of dogs. Do we agree on that?
I was trying to be diplomatic because I don't think it is right to stick my nose up at a good dog that fits his owners hunting style just because he doesn't have a blue ribbon pedigree. I, personally wouldn't buy a dog from a backyard breeder just because they have AKC or UKC papers.
I didn't come here looking for an argument. It wasn't my intention to offend you or any breeder. I know how much hard work goes into selecting and training before breeding. I am willing to pay for that when I buy a dog and have done so.
I got caught up in the controversy about governance of the French Brittany lines and rather than put up with the bickering among humans decided to just enjoy my dogs for what they are, my companions and hunting buddies. I don't think I deserved the tone of your repsonse. I'm sure you have great dogs. Leave it at that.
My oldest female is out of CH Paco De L'Ardour. He's a working dog at a 100% wild pheasant hunting operation. I don't have quick access to the pedigrees of the others, but I made sure there were championship lines from European kennels including St Tugen, Hameau de Sorney, and Pigenettes. I did it for the reasons you stated above.
My dogs earned their TAN's in one of the first tests sponsored by the UKC after recognizing the Epagneul Breton as a separate breed. I didn't pursue anything further.
