When the hunting bell jingled, though, Leah transformed into a white tornado.  In the field she worked to the gun, handled well and retrieved nicely.

With proper training, she developed into a good gun dog.  She accurately pointed pheasant, woodcock, quail and partridge.

Leah’s sister Rachel had a different temperament.  Rachel put the needle to the energetic end of the scale.  Bouncy and lively when company arrived or when mealtime came, she was still very controllable with proper commands.  In the field she, too, was an excellent hunter.  But she was harder to handle.

Both Leah and Rachel were also show champions.  Many breeders are proud of the Brittany for the dual role it plays.  Many of the Brittanys you see in the show ring could be taken afield and would show the hunting instinct even if they had never been near a bird before.

With many of the so-called sporting breeds, this duality is no longer the case.

The Brittany is a pointing breed, unlike the spaniels, which are flushing dogs.  Also the Brittany has ears more like those of pointing/retrieving dogs and less like the pendulous ears of a spaniel.  Several years ago, The American Brittany Club voted to eliminate “spaniel” from the name.

The Brittany originated in France where the color black in the nose or coat is perfectly acceptable.  In the United States and Canada, “black in the nose or coat” is a disqualification for the show ring, bu such dogs can be registered with the AKC or CKC.

For the past few years, breeders in the United States have bred black Brittanys and touted them as rare.  The less reputable breeders are stating that they possess almost magical qualities.  This writer has no experience with the black Brittany – and he does not believe in magic.  Proper color, as called for in the printed breed standard, calls for orange and white or liver and white.

In addition to its show and hunting abilities, the Brittany is proven as a good obedience dog.

The Brittany is just as able as a housedog.  He has too much love to give to be relegated to the doghouse, although he should have a yard for exercise.

Can the Britt be an apartment or condo dog?  I sold Breezy to Karen, who lived in Evanston, Illinois.  Karen’s condo was three flights up, with no elevator.  Karen and Breezy took a nice walk every morning.  When Breezy was a pup, hired dog-walkers walked her during the day.  Karen and Breezy always had two good walks in the evening, plus playtime.  Karen was pleased.  Breezy is now pregnant, and Karen is now my wife.

Many Brittanys are trained professionally to hunt and field trial, and are housed in kennels.  A good trainer is certain to give the Britt exercise and training; the Britt takes to this just fine.

A male Brittany, according to the AKC standard, should not be taller (at the shoulder) than 20-1/2 inches.  That’s about to your kneecap.  He should weigh about 40 pounds.  A female generally runs a little smaller.

Britts have a medium-length coat.  Shedding is light, and the hair can be vacuumed from the carpet quite easily.  Under normal conditions, the Britt needs to be washed only 3 to 4 times a year.  It’s rare for them to get a “doggy” smell.  An occasional touch-up of tail and ear fringe is usually all the grooming that is necessary.  Speaking of tails, the Brittany can be born with no tail or a naturally docked tail.  Pups born with long setter-like tails should have their tails docked at three days of age.

While the Britt is manageable, trainable, biddable, and good with children, he is not a wimp.  He learns very quickly what he can get away with, just like a kid.  He can rule the roost in many ways, if you let him.

It’s not commonly known, but the Brittany can be a true protector.  Years ago, my friend Mark came to my house and my Britt, Diver, barked at him.  Mark was fooling around and said, “That dog is all bluff” and pushed at me in mock attack.  Diver nip-pinched Mark up one side and down the other in a heartbeat.  If Mark had been a real intruder and become physical, I’m convinced that Diver would have launched a full-blown attack.  Today, I have several males that I am convinced would protect me to the death if necessary.  Yet these same dogs are fine with adults and children.

What do you look for when buying a pup?  First, the honesty, integrity and reputation of the breeder.  The reputable breeder wants you to have a healthy dog, free of epilepsy, hip dysplasia, or other inherited problems.  The reputable breeder tries to match the right dog to the right buyer, and will be there, by phone or in person, to help you through any difficult times.

The basics of the Brittany are love, trainability, versatility, and a moderate energy level.  Rachel, Leah, and Diver are gone now, but Pardner and Summer have taken their place.  Whether playing with children or out hunting, the Brittany is a true friend.