It’s a Dog’s World

Against all caution given my advancing age, yep, I got another Brittany puppy! After several American Brits, this time I got a French Brittany. They are all pretty high energy, and a bit crazy for the first few years – but if you maintain a sense of humor, and have a lot of patience, they are well worth it. Remarkable loving pups, and smart!

So, here’s the litter from Touchstone Kennel in Kansas.  Picked her on 16 July 2024 on my way home from a Mini Cooper rally which started in Albuquerque.  She learned early to travel as we made the 1100mi trip home to Maryland mostly non-stop – she was a trooper.

Early on she loved her toys and learned to play hide the puppy with her ShiTsu/Bichon sister. Both about the same size at that point.

She’s since grown up a bit and hiding under the sofa doesn’t work well…

She grew up into a beautiful girl. Meet Touchstone V Willow at 8mos, and about to become a lady ….

Training, early and often and persistent is essential for the breed. They are smart and can be frustrating and willful.  Two tiers started early in addition to the usual house breaking etc. She is destined to be both a house companion and an upland bird hunter. While learning manners at home, she continues her training with visits to dog friendly businesses. In my case, that is primarily the local Catoctin Breeze Vineyard. A beautiful place with very friendly and accomodating staff who have come to love Willow almost as much as I do. She is now pretty good at settling down and greetiing other folks and sometimes other dogs without too much drama.

I’m fortunate to have great training grounds nearby at York Pointer& Setter Club

Also have some experts hands available for some ocassional help in the field, She’s learning to find and point birds and soon we will be sharpening those and other skills to develop her into an good hunting partner for grouse, quail and pheasants.