brittany13

Thanks the spotted devil and tassie

Hi all Haven't trialled for many years, hoping to start again soon, having a go at CCD and Rally for the first time. Rally didn't exist when we last trialled. Do they still sell an obedience trial rule book/guide? Couldn't find it looking on the Dogsvic website. Thanks

Hi all, new to showing our Brittany pup and learning how to clip his coat for the ring. Been getting great help/tuition from his breeder when we visit them. Wanting to buy our own gear though -but on a bit of a budget being new to it . So far have managed to buy a reasonable set of clippers- Andis AGC Super 2 speed clipper, plus some Wahl Single sided 6.5" Thinners plus a pair of Wahl 5" Straight scissors. Now we are looking into a pair of double sided thinners to do more finer blending/finishing off. Can anyone recommend any reasonable ones not too expensive? Our breeders pair they use are over $400, hoping to spend less. There seems to be less of these type on sites. Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi RuralPug, yes I definately bought the Tendercare one- I still have the packet. Maybe it will soften up over time. The breeders one is years old. Hers felt much softer and flexible.

Hi mowgliandme My breeder showed me their slicker they have had for years. Thought it was same brand-it looks identical - so bought this one- but feeling hers- and this one-hers is a lot less stiff/softer/gentler than this new one.

Hi Just purchased a Lawrence Tender Care Slicker brush. Was surprised when it arrived how stiff/hard a 'tender' care still is - I was expecting it to be a bit softer. Anyone out there know of any softer slickers out there. Thanks

I did the endurance with our 2 dogs - we had a lot of fun doing it - they really loved it! A quick easy cheap mod you might want to consider doing to your bike to make it safer for you using the bike brakes one handed (especially if you need to brake suddenly) I had our local bike shop do a quick swap over of the bike brake cables, so when holding the dog lead in my left hand as required ..... my right hand could operate the bike's rear brake -not the front brake that is normally fitted on that side of the bike. Much safer this way - you can lose control if you just slam on only the front brake!! Those 2 dogs are sadly now over rainbow bridge. I will be definitely be training our new pup for endurance when he is older- he will love it too Good luck with your endurance

Hi, Nana Chris We also have a hyperactive Brittany - Jimmy - a 4 month old - he is also into everything he can get his teeth into- as all puppies do. We are also semi retired. Apart from his daily walks for exercise, play sessions and going to dog school - we have a toy box full of all sorts of toys/objects in the main living area of our house - varied textures, shapes and sizes - rubber, cloth, plastic, wood, cardboard etc - he is allowed to take anything out of it and chew it/shred it at any time. We also have assorted toys in our pergola outside ready for when he is outside. Then we have his bedroom area- the laundry - a safe hard floor area with more toys - his wire crate bed and a child safety gate. If we go out for any length of time he is always restricted to this safe zone - where he can only chew his stuff and not get into anything he shouldn't. Even when we are both home and can't watch him properly - like when cooking, showering, eating our meals etc - he goes either into the laundry zone, outside or in another crate in the lounge room (we have 2 crates set up) - until we can supervise him again - this works really well for him and us. We aren't stressed about what he is up to then, so we aren't growling at him, so he is happy and relaxed too. He has been subject to this since we got him so he never protests where confined to an area or a crate. He is always given toys whilst confined and knows its only for a short term- not forever. We can happily go out for half days with him in the laundry safe area - we expect when we return to find things shredded and have to clean up- but that's fine by us as they are acceptable things he has chewed.

Thanks everyone for your comments. It made us feel uneasy having puppy participate in this pen exercise but went along with the instructors request as she was very insistent when we hesitated. My husband and I talked about it after the lesson was over and our reluctance to do it in future lessons. Good to hear we are not the only ones thinking it is a inappropriate and risky exercise. We will be telling the instructor we will not be participating in the pen exercise again.

Hi all Yesterday I attended dog training at our local dog club (small club in a small country town) with our 13 week old pup for the first time. It has been many years since we have gone to a dog school, back when our old dogs (that have since passed away) were young dogs. We used to trial our dogs back then so did do a fair bit of training with them - ie I am not a total novice. I know its been years and methods can change - but I was quite concerned with one method the trainer used during our lesson yesterday. It was a socialisation exercise where we were all told to enter a large wire dog run about 3m x 3m. I was in a class of 6 and they were dogs of various ages and sizes - not a dedicated puppy class as the club is too small, but a mixed beginners class. No young pups except mine. We were told to remove our leads so the dogs could all socialise off lead in the pen. I was not impressed at all with this idea but did what was asked. My puppy was fairly overwhelmed at times by some of the behaviors of the bigger dogs in such close quarters with no where to go and one of the dogs was quite fixated on him, eventually bailing him up in the corner. Eventually I couldn't take it any more and picked him up and left the pen. The instructor told me this is wrong removing him and that dog fights occur more often on lead and that putting them off lead in the pen encourages them to learn to all get along nicely. Call me old fashioned - but I don't think that's the right was to go about it with dogs in a beginner class with inexperienced owners?? They certainly never did anything like this in lessons I attended years ago. I was anxious our young pup could have got traumatised by this sort of exercise or even injured! Luckily he is a really outgoing pup and is fine. I am extremely reluctant to do it again when told to at the next training lesson - I would rather skip this exercise. Would be interested to hear peoples thoughts on this method. Thanks

We found similar....11 years since we had researched breeds and found a breeder and a puppy ...things have changed...and prices are a lot higher.

Thanks everyone for all your well wishes - we adore our new pup Jimmy - he has settled right in here These past weeks have been so nice having a puppy in the home again -our home just wasn't the same once our old Staffords passed Sorry to hear of your loss Dirtyeyeboy- hope a new pup brings you much future joy like ours has. As requested -here's a few more pics of our boy

Pick up day finally arrived for us Everyone meet 'Jimmy' - he is so worth the wait!! We picked him up yesterday, was a good boy travelling in the car and is settling in nicely - a lovely way to end the year!! Thanks everyone for all the the lovely comments :)

haha will keep that in mind

Pick up day is slowly getting closer - 3 1/2 weeks old now

Our precious new boy has been born - can't wait till we get him in January

Hi Shekhina Here's one on ebay that might suit? :) http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AVF-903-Ceramic-Feed-Water-Bowl-24cm-Dog-Cat-Reptile-Bird-Pet-Animal-Blue-Heavy-/190966586082?hash=item2c767edae2:g:Pp8AAOxyyjpRuwY0 Or these? http://www.petshopdirect.com.au/shop/category/concrete-dog-bowls

Finally have made our decision on our future companion. We are now on the waiting list for a Brittany puppy. Super excited!! Can't wait for our precious pup to arrive. Hopefully he will born in November Thanks everyone for all your help and suggestions - really appreciated

Sorry, I meant to add earlier. Brittanys are nice. I think some also call them the "sane Spaniel". If you're after a somewhat taller dog then they will certainly fit your requirements. Be warned though, they DO shed!! Yes we realise they do shed ellz :) We said at the start looking for easy to maintain and not too much shedding. Their coat seems very easy to manage though. Single coated, not massively long, seasonal shedder. They seem to tick a lot of our boxes so far for us. :D

Went and visited a Brittany breeder today - we were most impressed with the breed. :) Lovely dogs, with beautiful temperaments

Lowchen are wonderful pets! Long haired but non shedding because it is a single coat. They don't need to be kept in a lion trim if that's not your fancy and with regular grooming are very easy to care for. Funny, portable, very affectionate. HEAPS of fun!! A big dog in a small body. Some inherited eye conditions and some can be prone to slipping patellas but that isn't just hereditary, it can be environmental. Most get on great with other breeds of dog. This is my baby "monstering" the nasty big Bull Terrier (who you can see is clearly smiling at the camera with a glint in her eye! :laugh: ). Thanks Ellz and Purdie for your info on the Lowchen - will look into them also :)

We have two Brittanys. They are the smaller more spanielly looking French type, which is the much more common type in New Zealand. We use them for hunting, field trials, agility and rally obedience. They are great house pets as they are really happy to hang out with you at home, doesn't matter if you aren't doing much. Having said that ours, and others we know, don't like being left alone. If the weather is bad or you don't feel like a walk today, they don't mind as long as they get to be with you. But when you take them out they have PLENTY of go. They are a nice sized breed. Mine are both girls (mother and daughter) and weigh about 14kg. They make great snuggly lap dogs. They like their creature comforts and appreciate sharing the couch with you. They are very loyal and devoted to their family and friends but the ones I know are reserved around strangers. Not unfriendly and will happily be patted and made a fuss of by new people, but they aren't your typical "everyone is my bestest buddy" gundog. I also have 2 border collies. They are both VERY bright breeds but the Border Collies are better at being told what to do and the Brittanys are better at problem solving. I say to people that the main difference between my 2 breeds is "because I told you so" is a perfectly acceptable answer to a Border Collie :laugh: They have a nice short soft coat. Possibly they shed but nothing like my collies do. Thanks a lot CaseyKay for your info on the Brittany Its really appreciated. Have contacted a Brittany breeder so hopefully we can go have a chat and meet her dogs and get some first hand experience. They really appeal to us from what we have learned so far. :)

Qld is the default setting. I'll have a chat to some of the Vic wheaten folks. :) Thanks Sheridan, that would be great

Hi Spotted Devil :) I actually didn't realise the field bred Springers were so different in type to the show ones. We have only met the show type ones with their long flowing coat that is a lot of work. Had a look at your website and had a read of all the info you have on there - thanks for that. Your dogs look great They look like more of what we are looking for...similar to the Brittany :) Another breed definitely to ad to our short list to research a lot further. Glad you enjoyed the website - it was fun putting it together. I'm in Vic too - happy for you to meet my dogs. I'm out and about at agility trials quite a bit too. Thanks The Spotted Devil :) It would be great to catch up some time to meet you and your dogs chat further about ESS's

Hi Spotted Devil :) I actually didn't realise the field bred Springers were so different in type to the show ones. We have only met the show type ones with their long flowing coat that is a lot of work. Had a look at your website and had a read of all the info you have on there - thanks for that. Your dogs look great They look like more of what we are looking for...similar to the Brittany :) Another breed definitely to ad to our short list to research a lot further.