So you think you want a Brittany puppy? If you've already been owned by a Brittany, of course you know you do! If you haven't yet had the pleasure, hold on to your hat! Though obviously the breed for me, the Brittany is not suited to the majority of homes. They are simply a lot of dog in a small package. If you think you want to continue, there are three things to know beforehand.
- You will never, ever, be smarter than your Brittany. You might as well accept this now.
- You should have a good sense of humor, you're going to need it.
- The Brittany is a hunting dog, and even if you never plan on using your dog for hunting, it doesn't change what they are.
I don't breed often, and my puppies are usually sold before they are born. Often I can refer you to another breeder, sometimes I can't. Simply, there is more demand than there is a supply of quality puppies. If you're just looking for a family companion, I highly suggest checking out one of the breed rescues (take a look at the Links page), they have a variety of ages and work hard to place the right dog with your family. If you're set on a puppy, remember, YOU BUY A BREEDER. Here's some tips on what to look for.
- Both parents should have passing OFA hip scores. OFA has a open database in which you can double check if a dog has the health clearances a breeder says they do. Penn-hip is also acceptable but be sure you understand the scores and ask for a copy of the results. Ask your vet if you aren't sure what the scores mean.
- Websites should list the registered names of the dogs, not just the call names (every day names).
- The breeder should not sell puppies "with papers, or without". This is a suspendable offense in the AKC. Limited registration restricts breeding without denying a new owner a puppy's paperwork.
- The breeder should adhere to the American Brittany Club's Code of Ethics. Feel free to ask a breeder questions, they expect it.