ATB Checkin' In

KJ Ramblin' Molly Rose "Molly" (L)

J & A's Heartfelt Legend of Acton "Pippin" (R)

I was pleased to capture this photo of Molly & Pippin yesterday as they were waiting patiently for me to let them outdoors.  Although these two girls are not related they do look a lot alike. Both of them have similar coats and temperaments although Molly is not quite as pushy as the Pippinator. 

Molly has been bred to our Scooby and we have yet to confirm the pregnancy however John did call me in Fitchburg to say she vomited - woohoo!! This most likely was her first tell tale sign! (I can see smiles lighting up several faces from Maine to Ohio.)  Molly and Scooby should produce liver and white pups and orange and white pups. By way of review, Scooby is the 3rd Brittany we kept out of our "Wish."  Like Jack and Treasure before him, Scooby was our pick of the litter based on our breeding goals concerning close working gundogs, natural ability, and easily trained Brittanys with nice temperaments. Molly has been consistent in producing highly intelligent, agile, and stylish hunting Brittanys with beautiful coats of deep orange and white. Thanks to the feedback of  families that own Molly pups, we'll be able to easily identify specific traits and abilities of Scooby. Interestingly enough, we should also be able to determine which ones are primarily from his father's outstanding field background.  Our expectations are high for this hypothetical litter which supports the purposes of our breeding goals. (See Breeding Breeding 101 available as a pdf) At this date we have 6 confirmed and approved puppy reservations for this litter . Molly will be spayed once her pups are weaned and in their new homes.

Pippin has been bred to Chevy. It is much too early to even predict anything or to even expect to see signs. Although Pippin is the result of our choice of deliberate line breedings on the DC/AFC Masked Shoshoni War Chief (grandaughter to great grandson) breeding her to Chevy is a deliberate outcross, and one we are very pleased to have. Time will tell but there are many who believe this breeding is going to produce some amazing Brittanys with outstanding movement and conformation, something we're really excited to enhance.  This hypothetical litter is fully reserved with unknown availability at this time. And like the architecture always looking to improve upon what already exists, I look ahead, into the future and even beyond.  All for the love of the dog and those who love them. 

We have enough experience to know that nothing is ever certain.  Our disappointments may have been few but they have been significant. Several years ago we recognized the need to bring in just a few new lines to compliment our own.  This was for the most part successful. In doing so we had the majority of pups sold with spay/neuter or limited registrations to discourage indiscriminate breeding. Just a  few select Brittanys from our program remain intact with full registrations.  We recognize the importance of knowing what 'is on the ground' two, three years down the road.  Conformation faults corrected through selective and careful breeding can be proven or tested via the opinion of an AKC judge. Even so, we will NOT breed any Brittany from our line who has no hunting experience or that has failed to meet our expectations as a family hunting companion. To do this is to do our breed a great and serious diservice.   Natural ability is either present in a line or it is not.

We are getting dogs ready for upcoming hunt tests here and also looking forward to Miss Piper's return from South Carolina.  An order of quail has arrived for Sam and John to work with.  I've made plans concerning True's showing schedule this summer.  Bullet will be in the field all summer.  Wish has been leased back to her breeders.  We're hearing great things about Treasure and Gibson's pups as well as others in the ATB family.  We have many inquiries into our plans for our dogs for the fall and into 2012.  There have been a couple of reports though of tick issues and in one instance a diagnosis of Lyme Disease. As a human who suffers with this myself, it's something to take seriously.  We are urging that everyone speak with their vet about Lyme vaccinations if you have not already done so. 

Looking forward to celebrating a certain birthday for a grandson who will turn 8 years old this weekend! WOW where has that time gone???  It's always fun when there are birthdays in our family, our entire family gets together, cousins and nieces, nephews, and of course our own children and their families, friends from our other neighborhood and of course - John and I are now the matriachs, the old poops in the family!  And some days I really really feel it!  Having said that, it's nap time LOL!  Take care and God Bless, and as always thank you for your love, encouragement, and support of ATB - John, Ann, and our canine crew