OK -- this is all only my opinion, but it's my 'pinion and I'm stuck with it... this will be long, as I'm going to try to answer all your questions.
1. I'm assuming you've never owned a dog, 'specially a hunting dog -- this is not a negative, just a fact... you must be realistic about what you need and want and I think you are definately on the right track. My short answer would be - Get a Brit, Get a Brit, Get a Brit. I've had both and they are both lovely breeds. I just find the Brit easier to get results with. In that light, I'd like to address your post...
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"What are some good breeders that you or your friends have dealt with that are good?"
A. Many good breeders - everyone will say that your best bet is to track down ones that breed for hunting abilities. Check out the back of Gun Dog magazine. Go buy the current copy, TODAY. There's 2 or 3 articles just on the Brittany. I said go get a copy. Now.
Ok, now that you're back from the magazine buying place...
The Brittany looks like he does because they were bred to be smart, compact good-natured house dogs that are tremendous hunters...and they are.
I'd like to sincerely suggest checking with American Brittany Rescue.
http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org/
The disadvantages - no papers, no history of bloodline, vets care, or training documentation.
The advantages -- you get a report from the foster parent, and an indepth idea of the dog's personality and behavioral traits...they will have the dog uptodate on vaccinations, health needs, etc. you usually also know if the dog has good house behavior, hunting instinct, etc. and of course, it's much cheaper to adopt and you're doing a good deed. Both my Brit and my Lab are rescue dogs and I sincerely couldn't be happier...
Now, sometimes you get the full history. Many of the rescue dogs are there mainly because their owners underestimated the exercise needs. Let me repeat that...their owners underestimated the exercise needs.
Don't worry if you didn't get that, I'll repeat it again later.
IMPHO -- a lot of the "found" Brittanys, are just hunting dogs that wandered away cause they saw something interesting "over there". Britts are born with Attention Deficit Disorder and will run a mile over to look at something that strikes them as interesting...more on this later
"Inside dogs -- both the wife and I really like to have a dog resting it's head on our lap as we read or watch TV. How are these two breeds indoors?"
A. They are both excellent indoor dogs, loving and gentle. But then my 105 lb. lab sits on the sofa with his head in my wife's lap, too. 'nother thing to remember -- they both shed like crazy - year 'round.
"Which is easier to train?"
A. a tossup, really. As my favorite is the Brittany, as I mentioned, I'll discuss them. NO FORCE OR PUNISHMENT NEEDED -- these are extremely intelligent and sensitive dogs. They can be disciplined with a stern word. They can be corrected with a grunt. There is one exception, and I'll discuss electronic training collars in a bit.
"Will either dog chase the birds after flight or will they stay put until the bird falls or I give the commad? (I know that this has mostly to do with training, but I have had experience with trained dogs not staying put)"
A. eeeeh...hard to say. There is also an opinion from some hunters that they want the dog right on the bird so that it doesn't get away. Real world hunting v. training objectives must always be balanced. But training is key, as you've recognized. Remember though, even with training, this is a creature that is highly enthusiastic about hunting; loves it; lives for it; and is much keener to do it than you are. The only grief I get from mine is when we have the limit and have to stop for the day - he get's miffed..
I know I may be flamed for this, but MY important training commands - and they are few - are "WAIT" (Which I use for HALT), "COME" (dammit), and "NO" - as in don't freakin' do that...
"How much excercise will each breed need? I am at an apartment complex that does not allow dogs, but I do have a mutt that has lived at my parents who live in town that have allowed him to stay until I get a house. Will allowing the two to play in the backyard together while I and the wife are not home and playing daily fetch be enough or will runs or walk be necassary?"
A. Many of the rescue dogs are there mainly because their owners underestimated the exercise needs. Let me repeat that...their owners underestimated the exercise needs.
See? I said I'd repeat that. If you're going to leave them outside all day (WHICH I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF - WEATHER, HEAT, AND THE POSSIBLITY OF THEM BEING STOLEN) they wil need secure shelter (dog house) and water all day. Mine stay in the house all day while we're gone and then can be in the yard all evening, etc. The more fetch, the better.
However, my Brit will not fetch toys. Just birds...
Seriously, watch "The Dog Whisperer" Cesar Milan knows his stuff. The show's not all perfect, but he really emphasizes exercise to relax the dog and get them in a "ready to learn" state of mind...
YOU CANNOT TIRE A BRITTANY BY TAKING HIM FOR A WALK... he'll run a couple miles over the hill just to look at something sparkly, and then run back to you and say "ooh, see you later, I'm gone again."
CHIP YOUR DOG...CHIP YOUR DOG...CHIP YOUR DOG...
ESS:
"How do I train an ESS? With a lot of force like I would a Chessie or like Golden with only a harsh word or somewhere in the middle? "
A. I have to give you grief here. NEVER USE FORCE TO TRAIN A DOG - no, I'm not a bleeding-heart anything, but I believe you must make the effort to be smarter than the dog you're training. Force is just counter-productive. The dog will work better if they like doing it - find a way to present it that way. If the relationship develops so the dog wants to please you and is happy to do the stuff, the performance will be much, much easier on you both. And, BTW, the best Chessie I've ever seen was trained without force, and was treated like a family pet.
Either the ESS or the Brittany can be disciplined with only a moderately harsh word.
NO 1 rule to remember -- the multiple generations of breeding have put more hunting ability into any dog than you can ever train into it...
"I have read several times that an ESS will "spring" into the air after a bird. I don't really want to shoot a dog that decided to jump when it should have kept all feet on the ground. Is this truth myth or somewhere in the middle. Is it hard to correct? "
A. That's why they's called Springers... also because they will jump up to try to see over the grass... Pay attention to what you are doing, and don't shoot. A spaniel in general,-in general - is not bred to remain steady to shot.
"If they do jump, I assume that they are trying to catch the bird. I will train the dog in a Pheasant club that plants pen raised birds. Will catching be an issue?"
A. eemmmh... uhhh, well, it depends. Yes, to give you a short answer. My Brit is more than happy to pick up a hen that just sits there and bring it back to me... My recommendation is to only use roosters. More expensive by a couple bucks but that is insignificant in the over all cost of a dog, guns, training, etc. BUT - roosters are more "edgy" than hens and are way more likely to fly before the dog can nab them.
"Do they usually work close be instict or do they have to be heavily trained to stay close?"
A. ?? Please sir, what is close? This is where "WAIT" comes in handy... I like my Brit to stay within 40 yds, and then by the time he noses in on a bird and halts, I can get within good control range.
Brits:
"Will these dogs retrieve birds? My brother has a GSP and my friend a GWP and neither will retrieve. Lost many cripples that should not have been lost and I would like to avoid it. "
A. ok, I could brag for hours. But - mine wouldn't retreive a tennis ball, training dummy or anything at home or while working when I first got him -- Still won't -- but the first time I knocked down a rooster, he ran to it, picked it up and with an expression on his face like "what the heck am I doing?" he brought it back to me. The second rooster sailed out (after the shot) down over a hill into the woods (blind retreive) and he took off after it -- picked it up and brought it back flapping and squawking and brought it right to hand. Again, generations and decades of breeding have put more into the dogs than we can.
"How hard will it be to keep the dog from creeping? "
A. don't know. again, this is where "WAIT" comes in handy.
"I will hunt wild birds once the dogs get a good start on the pen raised birds, have any of you had issues with pointers locking on point only to have a wild bird take off on foot? I have had this happen to me before, but I am not sure if the few birds that did run are worth getting my man panties in a knot."
A. No knots. some boids run, some doesn't... just hunt and have fun.
Sorry about so many questions, but I am going to have this dog for at least 10 years, and want to get all the info I can before I go into a commitment like that. (And who better to ask than fellow hunters who have the experience?) Thanks a lot for the help I and my wife really appreciate it.
A. ok the wrap up. I favor the Brittany, because the first time I met one, she was 10 weeks old, and was at the gun club and thought the sound of shooting was the most wonderful thing she's ever heard.
I personally find males (neutered always, unless you decide to become a breeder, which you won't) and females are equally tractable, loving and easy to train. The individual dog's personality makes more of a difference to me than the sex. This is again where the Rescue site will help give you an insight of the dog's personality.
Your yard must be fenced. Your yard must be fenced with a six foot fence. Preferably solid wood. A Brittany can climb a chain link fence, and many can "flat foot" up a solid one if he really tries.
Your second-best friend is an Electronic Training (shock) collar. Your best friend is someone who convinces you how to properly use it.
THEY ARE NOT USED TO PUNISH OR FORCE. repeat THEY ARE NOT USED TO PUNISH OR FORCE. repeat as often as needed until it sinks it. A shock collar is the dog equivilant of a 2x4 for a mule. It's used to get their attention, so the realize you are serious about the command you just gave. (NOTE -- TO SOMEONE WHO MAY BE OFFENDED ABOUT THE 2x4. - IT'S A JOKE. also, if you've not worked with mules, shut up.)
The shock collar is used to "nick" him to say "hey, pay attention" not to burn him into the ground. Seriously, what we did when we bought it was to try it all on ourselves at a 4th of July picnic. That's how I know I'll behave at a level 6, but the doggie won't pay attention until you say "hey" at level 8.
It doesn't hurt, it won't cause him to burst into flames... I needed it on the recommendation of a trainer, to enforce WAIT, as it - don't run into the street and get hit by a car. I believe to be a safety issue, and the properly used collar - NOT TO PUNISH - can be a great training aid. I use Dogtra, and their training video is great.
ok, good luck. enjoy your dog.
