J&A's Brittanys - The Art of Anticipation

Can you spot Bullet?  September 2008

ANTICIPATION : a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen: the act of preparing for something.

There are several hopeful families at this juncture including my own! There are at least two families who have had or currently have a J&A's Brittany starting this journey with us all over again. I am reading over new questionnaires as they arrive and then referring to John for his opinion as well.

ATB Family at a Hunt Test

It is our preference that the majority if not all pups from any given litter will be going to bird hunting homes but an exceptional pet home is always a requirement! Hunting season is only a couple of months each year. A Brittanys natural instincts cannot be turned on or off so in the off season we also desire involvement in American Kennel Club (AKC) and/or North American Versatile Hunting Dogs Association (NAVHDA) hunt testing. This is not to control the future of any dog we have bred. It is to ensure you and your Brittany will have the best relationship possible!  It also will show that our breeding program is consistent from generation to generation.  Hunt tests are NOT competitive in nature and shouldn't be perceived as such.  It's about having fun with your Brittany, letting the bond between you become stronger, learning from each other. A great place to start learning more about them is AKC Pointing Breeds Hunt Test.  Pups can be entered in an AKC hunt test at 6 months of age! Brittanys from our program have earned their Junior Hunting title at just 2 weeks shy of their 6 months birthday!  Take a look back at some "Braggin' Rights" about several J&A's Brittanys and their owners at various stages.  The majority of these owners were brand new to hunt tests!  (As you read beyond the photographs to what I wrote you'll see where our anticipation for a litter of pups was growing.)  Our pups will be registered with AKC and also with NAVHDA.  They can be tested at an even younger age.  The first level of testing is called the Natural Ability. There are local NAVHDA chapters that meet for training on a regular basis. And there's always an opportunity to hook up with other dog owners with pointing breeds through various clubs including local Brittany clubs as well. Likewise, we're available to help teach you as well.  The thing is, the natural instincts are there, they are proven to be strong and you have a window of opportunity to continue to develop and fine tune them!  The training and the testing are also a wonderful opportunities for the entire family.  Here's additional photos and a look back  to past field events.  We are "All for the love of the dog, both given and received" and are sincerely interested in setting our puppy people up for success right from the beginning.  Pups born in June or July will have so much fun because by the time they are 8 weeks old we'll have introduced them to birds and had some fun in the field with them!  

Ann & Hemi (Holly
and Toph's sire)

Holly field trial major win.

A friend of mine wrote this great article about the Brittany as a dual dog. In every litter there exists the potential for a puppy as a show or field trial prospect. As we identify this we'll discuss it further with you. While our personal focus since 1986 has been on the Brittany as a close working gundog for the walking upland game hunter we actively promote our breed as a dual dog. We will absolutely guide and support a puppy owner who wishes to further pursue this.

Thank you for following along!  As always take care and God bless, John, Ann and our canine crew. 

J&A's Brittanys - 8 Days A Week

8 Days A Week because I am a huge Beatles fan and I found myself singing to Holly "Love you every day girl, always on my mind.  One thing I can say girl, love you all the time" and so on and so forth.  Yup. I sing to my dogs. Doesn't everyone?

Yesterday we returned Bullet to Julie, Sassy, Thistle, and his son Quincy. His wiggly butt was so very happy to see them because although ours is his second home there is no place like Home.

It will be awhile before we can or cannot confirm Holly Beth's pregnancy but if she is, then we now have one 7 day week behind us.  We (John and I) spoke about keeping this all quiet until we knew for sure, which is very logical. To share openly from my heart again via this blog  is a little scary to be quite honest.  The reality here is that I've had the hope I held in my heart crushed to smithereens. Sadly,  that is a reality all dog breeders face at times for one reason or another. Another sad reality for dog breeders are knowing some folks passionately thrive on gossip, criticism, and create drama concerning other people's business. Fortunately, our ATB family and friends have carried us through the difficult times with their love, prayers, and support. We're cautiously hopeful as we move beyond a season of sadness.

The ending here is unknown yet we obviously long for a happy one. We've always believed in transparency. Writing is something I have always enjoyed doing.  Remember when I use to fall asleep at the keyboard in past years? I want to do that again by sharing the moments of expectations and inspiration as well as those moments of questioning all things. The what ifs, the highs, the lows but above all I desire to share the potential of the joy that lies ahead.

As I write I am always reminded that God is in control of all things.  And that included "All Things Brittany".  He alone is my inspiration, my source of strength and trust. Not only concerning the dogs although He is the one who led us down this path. But in every waking or sleeping moment.  God speaks to us through His written Word, He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, and He speaks to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior.  There's a lot more to life than our minds can comprehend and our eyes can see.  I am convinced that the God of all mankind who created the universe and all things can also work through His 'lesser creatures'.  Thankfully so! I've seen it and perhaps you have too.

"Aunt Julie" has already made several puppy blankets God love her. If you're new to ATB for many years she has crocheted a puppy blanket for every Brittany puppy born here. The puppy blankets are kept with pups and mom, they are well loved and when a puppy goes home they bring home the scents they are familiar with.

We'll do an ultrasound at the proper time. I'll remain positive by putting together a playlist of 'whelping room' music. Speaking of which, I've found several wonderful new artists to follow including Danny Wright and Keven Kern.  Their music is similar to Doug Hammer.  I am all about using music, lighting and mood for the benefit of momma to be dog and puppies.

So I'll get on with this day. It started with John running dogs at the training field with some friends and their Setters.  Speaking of which, Charlie did earn his first two qualifying scores towards an AKC Junior Hunter title.   We're so proud of him! Ticks are bad this year. We've been picking them off ourselves and our dogs.

The inquiries continue to be welcomed.  Because of the length of time since our last litter in 2014 we just did not expect anyone would wait that long although a few folks have. That in itself is humbling. I'm screening ruthlessly as I always do. That is not a bad thing but I am actively seeking qualified homes so please visit our website so that we can send you the necessary information. You'll get our puppy reservation policy, a copy of our purchase agreement, and a questionnaire to return if you feel we'd be a good fit for you!

As always thank you for your interest in All Things Brittany and God bless you and yours.  John, Ann & the crew

Check our Facebook page "J&A's Brittanys/All Things Brittany" for public photo albums and take a look at our slideshow galleries on the website too!

J&A's Brittanys - Only Time!

So tonight I reached for and dusted off my black whelping journal.  I also looked up my dad's red journal which is a true and priceless relic from my parents breeding program of Boston Terriers.  Not a lot has changed regarding mother nature since the '60's so I enjoy reading his notes! My own journal begins with an entry dated July 6, 1990.  (His begins on January 1, 1962.)   My last entry was written awhile time ago and it says:

"Thus ends my note taking for a very long time..." 

And the next entry, dated April 24, 2018 says:

"Now we hopefully begin a new chapter.  

Holly came into heat two weeks ago and she has naturally 

and successfully been bred to Bullet." 

Counting and more counting!  That's what it's all about at the moment and it began with counting the day of "1st blood" (pro-estrus) as Day One. Before progesterone testing became a normal routine experience taught breeders that the boys usually know when breeding should take place and also that Days 9 - 11 - 13 (estrus) very often are, although not always, optimal times for that to happen.

  We've certainly experienced the complete opposite taking place, even when going by vaginal smears to detect cornification or blood draws to determine progesterone levels. As the article says "conception is most likely with natural breedings having "ties", but artificial insemination (“AI”) using a fertile dog and proper timing and technique can be highly successful." We are fans of primarily natural breedings although there are times when "AI" has been desirable for any number of reasons. What is most important for any breeder to understand is that regardless of method used, there is a time when things do need to happen! 

To a new breeder trying to establish a breeding program a girl dog who is a true hussy around the chosen boy dog is to be desired!  It is equally desirable for her to be an easy, free natural whelper and have strong maternal instincts.  We have been very blessed over the years in this regard, thankfully so.  There are absolute benefits to progesterone testing because the breeder has the numbers necessary to determine the LH surge and decline which indicates ovulation is about to or has occurred.  We've been out training dogs in the field before when the call came from our vet "bring her over to us right now!" for a planned "A-I" trans-cervical insemination. I remember telling our friends goodbye, making a hasty retreat home to get our girl, and rushing over to the vets for the procedure! (Which was, by the way, successful.) 

Counting the days of Holly's estrus now changes to counting Holly's days of pregnancy.  I count ahead 2 months and 2 days from the time of the first breeding and then mark out that entire week on my calendar. When you have tested progesterone levels to determine best time to breed you are certain of when ovulation exactly occurred. Puppies are born 63 Days from ovulation. Otherwise, without progesterone testing, even if I were to say "so and so whelped on Day 60" the fact of the matter would be - the puppies arrived 63 days following ovulation. 

What am I going to be looking for in the next few weeks in Holly? Subtle changes in temperament and eating habits at first. Just around 3 weeks I'm going to looking to find one episode of morning sickness. (As my long standing ATB friends and family know - I do get excited about dog vomit. No eye rolls please.) I'll be watching for some physical changes too. There's several ways of pregnancy diagnosis for dogs including palpation, ultrasound and x-rays.  Palpating should only be done by experienced hands. Not all breeders will have an ultrasound and or x-rays.  Even so, I will especially look forward to confirming puppy heartbeats with an ultrasound at the proper time and stand on the threshold of high hopes, remaining firm and steadfast.  One day at a time. 

Take care and God bless.  Thank you for your interest and for following along.

John, Ann, and All Things Brittany.   

J&A's Brittanys Breeding Announcement #1

Our greatly anticipated breeding between Holly and Bullet has taken place!  And now, the waiting begins. If all goes well, I hope that sometime in May we will confirm that Holly is pregnant.  Assuming this will happen, Bullet & Holly's puppies would arrive sometime in June. Follow this link for pedigree and profile. CH J&A's High Caliber Harris SH & 

J&A's Carry the Dream of Acton JH, NA110 Prize 1

It was E.B. White of Charlotte's Web fame who wrote "Hold onto your hat, hold onto your hope, wind the clock for tomorrow is another day." Well, we're doing exactly that my friends because Miss Toph has also come into heat.  As you may remember we have had plans to breed her to True so this is going to happen soon. This link will bring you to Toph and True's pedigree and profile.
J&A's Keeper of the Stars of Acton SH & 
J&A's Birch Spring Breaking New Ground JH, NA 107 Prize 1

Sharing the journey about anticipated puppies has always been something I've enjoyed so much.  But I remain so overly cautious as John and I have endured our share of heartaches and disappointments on several levels the past 4 years since our last litter was born.

If you're part of our ATB Family, I ask you to remember us in your thoughts and prayers because you know from where within the depths of my heart I speak. One thing for sure, our hearts and our home will be happy and well prepared to welcome our next litter(s) of beautiful, healthy purpose bred Brittany puppies.

We are now actively seeking and accepting serious inquiries from our website at www.mainebrittanysitejas.com but obviously everything is hypothetical at this point in time.

God has brought us through a season of waiting before.  I'm confident He will bring us through this one too! He's given us the desires of our heart before, and also taught us that all things are possible, only believe.  He is truly my magnificent obsession and consuming passion.  I know that when I wait on the Lord, He renews my strength.  I know that He provides the way for me to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint. In all things I will acknowledge God land trust completely that He will direct our paths.  He works all things out for good to those who love Him! Let all that I am wait quietly before God for my hope is in Him.  

So you see, we're doing a happy dance while in the waiting room.  Won't you wait with me? Let's take this journey, one day at a time. I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't excited! Thanks for your interest, love, support.  Stay tuned.  Take care and God bless from John, Ann, and All Things Brittany.