I have had 5 Brittanys, every dog was great with children and very people friendly. Brittanys are fast learners and as a friend whom also has had several Brittanys says, "Brittanys almost train themselves". I have never had to be harsh with any of my Brittanys, a stern talk to makes them cower so there is no need to be harsh. If well trained they won't leave the yard, but as with all bird dogs, they need lots of exercise, every day is best. I now have a three year old Brittany and a 10 week old German Wire Haired Pointer. The Wire Haired definately seems more head strong than any of my Brittany pups. She will be a challenge compared to my Brittanys, but I'm sure it will be a fine versatile dog as my nephew's past 6 Wire Hairs have been. Although Brittanys naturally try to please, I had a female that was a little stubborn at times but never defiant. They also can be a little hyper at times, but this gives them a lot of hunting drive. In two seasons, my present Brittany has pointed quail, grouse and pheasant. A Brittany should be a good breed choice. If you never trained a bird, seek advice from someone with experience. Also, read up on bird dog training. I still am learning every day.

scratchgolf is right about Brittanys and heat. I had a Brittany that would break through ice to cool off in the water during winter grouse hunting. I groom my Brittany to <1" of hair during warm months,also hydrate frequently. Brittanys are a favorite for Georgia quail, it gets warm there, but not as hot as Arizona. Heat is tough on many dogs, they don't do as well as the average human.

I grew up in Maine with both French Brittanys and Labs. None of my dogs had exceptional lines, the only quality we sought out were healthy parents with good temperament and hunting instincts. My brittany Rem was all I could have hoped for and expected as I trained him myself at 13 yrs old. He followed hand signals and whistle commands, hunted close range, and had the softest mouth I have ever seen to date. He was a smaller dog, with a medium coat. Had a hilarious personality, and it seemed could understand most of a conversation. Simply cleaning a shotgun made him quiver at the door with excitement, until you removed the barrel, then he resorted to sulking under the table with a canny sort of depression. I will say that a hot October day, hot being 72 degrees, left him with his tounge hanging even during the morning hunt. Rem roamed 27 acres without caring to leave at all. I call the French Brittany my favorite upland bird dog after hunting with three or four other breeds. But I also say that a dog is only as smart as his HANDLER.

I'm with you on that, Sayfu!

My French Brittany is only seven months old and I haven't had much trouble keeping her within range. She is sensitive, like PAshooter said. However, she can't resist those bunnies if they bust out of the brush. I broke the labs and I'm sure I'll get Coral lined out on rabbits by next year. She will stop in her tracks on a runner pheasant if I holler at her ... which is more than I can do with my labs.

My older lab got nailed by a rattler a few weeks ago ... and there was frost in the air! I got off cheap. X-rays, minor surgery, antibiotics, anesthetics, steroids, and three different nights in the hospital and the damage was only $140. Just some of the perks that accompany hunting in the out-of-the-way places. When hunting in rattler country don't forget the benydril. Give a bitten dog as many as you need to keep the swelling down till you can get it to the vet.

A vizsla would probably be a great choice for Arizona. They are wonderful dogs both at home and in the field. I would love to have one but it's just too darned cold for them up here. Perhaps for my next dog I might consider a lab-vizsla cross. Couldn't go wrong with that mix.

Hint: I still haven't shot a turkey yet.

Pray, my britt is also a French Brittany. She's a great little dog. I expect some big things out of her this fall. She hunts very well with my two black labs.

My old fishing buddy lives in Surprise Arizona, has a Brittany, and is set to quail hunt out in the desert this Sat. I believe is his opener. He is off the desert by 9AM as it is still too hot for him, or his dog especially. And he worries about rattlers at this time of year...he says it costs around $2,000 to have a dog treated for a snake bite. His has been trained to avoid snakes, but he still worries about it. He likes his Brittany, but it has been hard to train as a youngster...wants to range out far, but, I think he expects it to perform well this season. The dog is now about 2 yrs. old I would guess.

Here is a huuuuuuuuuge negative I personally witnessed lately. One hunter ran 3 Brittanies, and another several English pointers. They do not hunt with their dogs! They let these dogs out of the truck, and they take off like beagles after a rabbit. They follow their dogs using electronics. The dog, or dogs could be 500 yds away! One of their dogs came my way down a tree, brush line, and flushed two roosters their collars sounding off LOUD! Not me deal. I hunt WITH my dog! I talked to a dog trainer who could only say, "different strokes for different folks." He said a good pointer could be a 1/2 mile away, and the bird hold on his point, and the guy approach the dog, and shoot the rooster...pathetic way to hunt if you ask me.

Davy..Neither did I, but the session wasn't very long whatever they did. Danger I would think is it could still depend on the individual dog..like the porcupine thing. Some will never get near one again...others multi times.

I have a Vizsla and love it. She is the gentlest hunting dog I have ever owned. Using the shock collar on her is rare as she listens very well. They are nick named velcro dogs and with good reason - they love to be your companion. She will bark at strangers but will not bite. I do more waterfowling than anything in Oklahoma and it gets too cold for her at times. She will point and retrieve. Can be called off running after game she shouldn't. And loves kids.

Ontario, I want to hunt waterfowl in Canada. Its on the bucket list of things to do.
The spring turkey season run April 6th to May 6th here in Oklahoma. They are rio's where we hunt. We do all our turkey hunting on private land - no preserves - its all fair chase/free roaming birds.

We do a very limited amount of waterfowling on public land. Most of our waterfowling is done on one of two farmer's lands with exclusive access.

i have a brittany and a golden and they are equally good hunting dogs but brittanys are very hyper so a golden is a better family dog. i very much recommend goldens i litterally have never lived without one

though they arent very good with heat

my brittany pup is also very hard to train but when we go hunting she has good instincts

They're an awesome dog, with the temperament of a lab, the personality of a human, and the passion of a professional hunter. They themselves seem to be great "outdoorsmen". Good luck with her! What birds do you have up there? We have mainly ruffed grouse, woodcock, and a very few pheasants.