J&A's Brittanys Breeding Program
The Art of Raising a Litter
Because we're a multi-dog family we make sure that an expectant mother has her own warm, cozy, private space away from other dogs to comfortably settle into prior to whelping. John and I take turns living in this area 24/7 which has many creature comforts for canine and humans alike. The primary focus of our program is to produce a close working gundog which will become part of the family. This is also the primary focus of those who contact us about a Brittany.
We enjoy a purpose driven breeding program that includes careful selection and planning well in advance for each successive breeding. An ongoing evaluation of our fun loving Brittany crew begins at birth. It continues through the years through important feedback from those who will love and own them.
We are devoted to our Brittanys and consider it of utmost importance to learn specific things about each pup as well as the great dogs behind them in their pedigrees. We make an effort to maximize the learning potential of each sweet little Brittany puppy by making learning fun for them while stimulating its learning ability, interests and natural instincts. We begin this at birth.
The majority of our Brittanys now are seniors up to the age of 13. We have now bred four generations of OUR line of close working Brittany gundogs who are actively hunting with their families. Their feedback results in the knowledge of what we can expect to see in our pups, what they stand to inherit, determine if there are any health concerns, and which traits to anticipate. We can recognize and work to resolve uncertainties without sacrificing the quality attributes and strengths which we have identified to be consistent here:
- high intelligence level
- natural bird hunting abilities
- natural retrieving skills
- soft mouth
- versatility
- ease of training, cooperative
- biddable with a well balanced, fun-loving disposition with children and adults
- dual quality
Of course, the ’genetic recipe’ of all Brittanys includes the ability to work and perform as an intelligent hunting dog. We have always believed that is best proven by going out into the field to work with an adult relative of a Brittany pup under consideration. Great hunting dogs produce great hunting dogs. We'll support our claim about the natural hunting instincts prevalent in our Brittanys by actual field work (weather permitting) on an actual game bird.
We believe there are critical factors in a hunting dogs performance to consider. We feel that the younger a Brittany is introduced to birds (correctly) the better. The purpose of a Brittany is first and foremost a sporting dog bred to hunt. We absolutely do believe the AKC breed standard should be adhered to in regards to conformation but we also believe that the existing hunting standard is equally as important. We desire to see as many Brittanys from our program participate at the youngest ages possible in the AKC and/or NAVHDA hunting tests. The most successful examples of dogs able to fulfill their purpose will automatically be the ones that are best adapted physically to that purpose and that is where adhering to breed standard is important to us.
THE ART OF RAISING A LITTER
It is a labor of love to get a pup ready to spend the rest of their life as an alert friendly, fearless, inquisitive, happy, and smart Brittany. It is perhaps the most important thing as breeders that John and I can do. Our preparation begins by establishing a firm, solid, foundation of trust and respect. The groundwork we lay involves the potential new owner as we guide and direct them in their own preparations to eventually bring pup home. We have always referred to this as "the first day of the rest of their life". As we entrust the care of a Brittany puppy into the loving arms of fully prepared new owners we are assured and confident they are responsible to continue what began here, long before pup was even born.
When expecting, the mother receives the best possible pre-natal care and given the most respect throughout her pregnancy, whelping, nursing and rearing of her puppies. Although monitored closely, she is afforded privacy during labor and delivery with minimal assistance. Whelping occurs in a separate and quiet atmosphere of low lighting, soft music, and warm, comfortable and clean surroundings. The safety, mental health, and overall well being of the nursing mother and her pups will always preclude any thought of ever permitting another family dog into her whelping box and surrounding area during this time.
We remain nearby taking cues from the mother should our assistance be needed during delivery and to reassure her with our presence. Most of the time our presence is welcome but we respect cues that indicate otherwise! Shortly after birth each pup is carefully examined, photographed and weighed. Important information is quickly recorded and pup returned to it’s mother. This actually is their first “stimulation exercise!” We enjoy close observation of neo-natal pups and the interactions with their mother and siblings, sometimes simply sitting close by for hours. Neo natal pups are kept under an infra-red heat lamp, the temperature of the whelping box closely monitored. The whelping box is arranged so that one area is cooler for mom. A security surveillance camera, 2 way monitor, and a remote digital temperature sensor assure us peace of mind concerning their well-being 24 hours a day. It also makes it easy for us to communicate with each other of course. Pups will eventually outgrow their initial need for such an intimate, private, and nurturing environment. To avoid endangering any aspect of this stage of development we safeguard their nest and den on their behalf. Lessons and rules learned from mother and siblings are crucial especially during the first 3 to 4 weeks for many reasons. (In recent years we have set up a private live video stream for the new families to enjoy the pups development.)
Early interactions prepare the way for healthy and stable relationships with other dogs and the most important relationship of all, the one they will have with humans. The first 72 hours is critical as pups are weighed at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours to be sure they are gaining weight. During the first 36 hours pups and mother are brought to the veterinarian for dew claw removal and tail docking. This will also be their first health exam. (The tails of our neo-natal pups in the past were actually submitted to UC Davis as part of their ongoing Brittany genetic DNA research. We are proud to say that DNA has also been collected from our adults for this purpose.)
We weigh pups every 24 hours and look for their birth weight to double around 10 days. Pups are handled daily. Certain behavior is anticipated at various stages and it’s fun to watch for and identify each one. We keep an informal journal which helps us compare similarities and differences in pups from previous litters. Although the evaluation process is ongoing from birth we have identified key periods for individual testing and evaluations and have developed a series of tests and exercises for pups. The exercises help us evaluate the pups while providing them with new learning opportunities as they experience new sights, tastes, sounds, surfaces, scents, etc. The more things a puppy is exposed to during these first weeks the easier it is for them to learn and accept new experiences later in life. See some of our other blog pages for particulars.
The animal - human bond is established gently with lots of love as we progress slowly and deliberately with them. Keeping our purpose based breeding program in mind we begin by reinforcing the canine rules taught by the mother Brittany, introduce human manners, and continually provide stimulus to enrich the environment of our Brittany puppies. Each puppy is a unique individual. Our methods of evaluating puppy development has been refined over time and is based on highly respected research by Pffafenberger, Volhart, Hastings, etc.
From about 4.5 weeks on life for the young Brittany pup changes rapidly. Supervised and gradual introduction to the rest of the ATB family begins. Visits from prospective new families, evaluations by people unknown to the pups, vet visits, romps here there and everywhere, increased time with children, introductions to the crate, collar, and leash and so much more. It is a busy time where every moment of the day is devoted to puppy care in one way or another. And it is perhaps the most enjoyable part of raising a litter of pups despite the hard work involved.
Weaning in itself is an important part of their development. The first time a young pup is introduced to warm puppy mash is quite a comical experience. Each pup reacts different and in the end it is one big mess. It is a great photo opportunity! Pups are separated from their mother for a few hours so as not to nurse and then have quite the appetite to try something new. When they are finished mom comes back in to clean up the dish and her babies. Once weaning is well underway pups are separated from their mother for several days and fed warm puppy mash 5 times daily. This helps with mom's milk drying up. When weaning is complete they are reunited with her for extended periods right up until the time they go home. No one can teach respect to a young puppy like a mother dog. The dam is always able to escape her pups however she often chooses to be with them especially at night. Pups are usually eating dry puppy food 3 times a day when they go home.
We know just how to guide a new Brittany owner to help their pup reach its full potential. We stand behind every Brittany puppy we are responsible for bringing into this world and will remain available for the lifetime of the dog. Despite what the dog has inherited, and regardless of how well prepared it is when it leaves us - training must be ongoing. Just obtaining a Brittany from a good line is not enough. The new owner must provide proper nutrition, nurturing and training regardless of pups intended purpose. If the dog is to be hunted, regular and frequent exposure to birds is a must. (All J & A’s Brittanys pups are introduced to birds before leaving.)
We do have minimal requirements which include signing up for basic puppy classes and letting us know when and where they have been scheduled. All potential puppy buyers read "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete, a book similar to our beliefs on raising a puppy. (It is enjoyable to use this book and follow along as labor approaches, pups are born etc.) Additionally, hunting families also read "Bill Tarrant Trains Gun Dogs" a very humane approach to gun dog training. Before bringing a pup home new owners provide us with the date of the appointment they’ve made for pup to visit their vet within the first week. People will tell us they have trained dogs before which is great but that is no substitute for formalized puppy classes which are important on many levels.
J & A's Brittanys is not a commercial breeding kennel, we do not sell to pet stores, and are not dealers of dogs. All necessary health clearances and tests are completed well in advance of a breeding. We will always take a Brittany back. Some of our policies and contractual agreements are based on Maine’s animal welfare laws and we were actively involved in the legislative process for some.
We maintain a waiting list of carefully selected homes, people considered as a “Serious Inquiry” and prepared to welcome a Brittany into their life based on:
We maintain a waiting list of carefully selected homes, people considered as a “Serious Inquiry” and prepared to welcome a Brittany into their life based on:
Prior Brittany experience or sporting dog breed
Active lifestyle
Love of the outdoors
Hunting family
Experienced, responsible dog owner
References such as vets, trainers, other breeders, etc.
Understanding a wait is usually involved
J & A’s pups are not defined with a single function in mind. They are dual purpose dogs. Our client’s homes are not defined as a show quality, pet quality, or a hunting quality home. They are full quality homes. We encourage involvement in showing, hunt tests, field trials, fly ball, agility, obedience etc. Although our primary focus is on close working gun dogs, many of them are show quality pups.
The following steps are involved when inquiring about a J & A's Brittany:
Our immediate response which may include a phone call, forwarded information, email, etc.- Your indication to proceed further by returning required questionnaire and references
- Our review and follow up with an invitation to come and meet us and our canine crew
- In the case of an expectant mother or very young puppies visits are delayed temporarily because of a self imposed quarantine here. (When you do visit please leave your other dog(s) at home.)
- Our screening process includes a getting to know you questionnaire for you to complete and return to us. Sorry but we discourage random and drop in visits. Our home is private, we are not a pet store and our daily schedules revolve around our beloved Brittanys. Visits to our home for introductions to our canine crew are reserved for serious inquiries only. We are happy to have you join us at a dog event we are participating in. We do enjoy meeting folks down to our training field weather permitting which is something we do on a regular basis. Our puppy reservation policies, health guarantees, official documents as required which are relative to each Brittany and all pertinent information will be provided to you in writing so you will always know what to expect. It should be as important to you to know as much as you can about your dog's breeder as it is for your breeder to know all about you. We sincerely appreciate your interest in J&A's Brittanys.
