Thread: How much should I look into trials?

Theres deffinatley 2 new members who are trialists, come on u 2 , this is your time

Still no shit getting slung ? They must be fighting on another thread or forum !

That's 'discussing' Munsey

El b must be drunk or passed out, a thread about trials and he still hasnt surfaced. Im seriously concerened for his well being and considering ringing the police to do a house call.

Originally Posted by EeeBees

BH, are you getting an American Brittany? If the parents come from hunting homes then you can be much more confident. If you are fearful of putting out a dud litter, then you seriously need to look around more at the working lines.

PM me if you are interested in contacting a breeder with working lines.

The trials in Australia (Victoria) are great...the birds (even in novice trials) are shot over the dogs...in WA there is no shooting.

It's Tobenlee Brittany in Vic they have American Brittanys and yes they hunt. Are you aus or NZ? I'm pretty happy with these guys as they seem really good and have been more than helpful with everything. They also seem very happy and said they prefer their dogs to go to hunting families which is good. The woman cares a lot about her reputation I figured out as she got pretty arked up when I told her about something someone said about one of her pups (wasnt even bad).

Im cautious but they seem genuine. Check out their website and tell me what you think. The mother will be Cosmo from the present dogs page.

Tobenleebrittanys.com

probably bogged down in a wetland somewhere in his tweeds

Originally Posted by Wirehunt

That's 'discussing' Munsey

Like "Jake the muss" discusses what he wants for breakfast !

So have you seen the Dam and / or Sire work in the field? Or any litter mates or previous offspring?

nah I havent, I've spoken to one bloke who has one of their pups and uses it on deer - loves it and said he cant fault her. And Ruff said he's seen two of their dogs in field trials and they were in his words "Exceptional" which I take as a compliment to their kennel

Originally Posted by Tussock

When you take it to hunt deer, what do you plan to have it doing? What do you want it to do and not do?

This is not a dig at anyone or of a troll of any kind and I apologise in advance if I have offended anyone with my question.

That questions no good as its GUN shy !!

they used to be based in nz, or one of them is a kiwi.
i had a bitch many years ago from them, just before they went to oz.
was a bird chasing, crunching machine that went on walkabout alot, i have also see one work at a phessie shoot, could have been a good dog in it's day but totally out of control and basically done what it pleased.
for a deer dog breed it would be pretty much near the bottom of the list, they are great bird dogs though.
they do get used abit on deer in oz but so do english pointers so i'm unsure what the hunt drive is like compared to the higher driven bird lines around.

trials are what you make of them, if bringing out the breeds true ability is what rocks ya boat go for it, it gives you something to do when the seasons closed, you get to mingle with more dog nutters and hunters.

Originally Posted by Tussock

When you take it to hunt deer, what do you plan to have it doing? What do you want it to do and not do?

This is not a dig at anyone or of a troll of any kind and I apologise in advance if I have offended anyone with my question.

An indicator of sorts, they have a good nose.

Kawhia - I wonder how much of that was the dog and how much of it was the training?

The reoccuring thing that I get from "dog people" on the forums and people I know is that the dog is only as good or as bad as the work that you put into it. I plan on living and breathing this dog, I expect to have about two years of sacrifice in trying for big stags to get this dog right and as I've said lots if it indicates one big stag and helps me get him once in its life its done its job. Who wouldnt sacrifice $1500 for a 300DS red skin I figure

Jesus Tussock, that more than I've spent on the whole pack in the last 7 months.

Before you make assumptions about what breed will or wont work deer talk to someone in the deer stalkers association - either NZ or Oz.

Over here, there are brittany successfully working deer.

And yes, I would agree - the dogs seen at field trials that are out of control reflect the handler moreso than the breed.

If you want to use it for Deer and birds, realise it will probably do one better than the other. If you want it to mainly hunt deer, then focus the training in this direction. In NZ this would mean lots of heeling, working by your knee while moving quietly through the bush.
This training will probably limit the dogs range while working birds, but that is the compromise you must accept.
A good dog though will quickly work out the difference between working birds and deer and change its behaviour accordingly.
Whichever you decide as the main focus, get the dog working well before training for the other.