I am in the process of looking for a new bird dog. My 12 year old lab has finally showed her age and a good half day is all I can give her. She is the second lab I've owned and hunted with, but was looking maybe for something else. My primary birds of interest are dove, quail and pheasant. I've been learning towards a Brittany, that's if I don't get another lab.. So this is where you guys can lend a helping hand or opinion!!!!! I also have a 3 and 1.5 year old humans. Thanks a bunch!

Brittany is good, but since you have 2 young hunters I think I would stick with another Lab. I know there are some pointing labs out there (not sure how good they are.) But I know they are good with young people and very reliable in the woods as you must already know this. Good luck on your search!!

I grew up as a kid with brittanies. Have a couple of buddies that own them that are house dogs. Here are some breeders you might want to talk to you if you go that route:

flyingoranch.com

http://www.blueridgebrittanys.com

English Cocker Spaniel.

Brittanies are great family dogs and will be better for quail IMO. My old man raised them so we always had them around. Never any issues, got one when my kids were 5 and 6 years old.

I'd also recommend Flying O.

First you need to decide if you want a flushing dog or a pointing dog. Very different behavior. Then you think about your hunting style. I assume you are letting you lab flush birds. Dove you want a dog that can handle heat--smaller and shorter hair is better. With quail a pointing dog is an advantage because of the speed birds get on a flush. Pointers aren't helpful with driven pheasant hunts but early in the season if you hunt pheasant in crp, a good pointer on point almost always means an easy shot. Pheasants I've shot over point are generally killed 10-15 yards closer than driven birds--maybe even more.

Brittany is a good choice for what you want to do. For what you will be doing, a tight coated dog may fare better in the sand burrs and heat. I might also look at a GSP from lines that are NAVHDA tested. For upland birds like quail and pheasant, a good GSP can roll. NAVHDA tested lines will have a lot of natural retrieve as well as point. A consideration to keep in mind is most pointing dogs will be a bit more energetic around the house. Most will need regular excercise to temper their energetic nature to be a good citizen at home.

Edited to add: in light of having small children, I would seek out a breeder that producing a dog that has an "off switch" is one of his priorities.

That's my main concern about a Brittany, do they have that normal pointing dog drive or go all the time? I’ve only ever been around one and it was an older dog and still Hyper-ish. Nothing against GSP, but I like the look of a Brittany a little more.

It sounds to me like you need a French Brittany. I’ve had them since ‘96 and I’ll always have at lest one. I’ve had labs and most types of pointing dogs but the French Brit is my favorite. They’re the smallest of the pointing breeds and easy to train. They are a lap dog that will hunt all day. They have an off switch. They eat less, sht less, and find as many or more bird as any high strung bird dog my pals and I have. At the end of the hunt they get to sleep inside.

Great looking pups.....

Brits are my dog of choice. They make incredible house dogs, shed little, and will point and retrieve. Not just quail but ate great on pheasants and retrieving dove.
The one I had before my current dog would also retrieve ducks with the best of dogs!
I have never had one that wasn’t calm inside but were ready to go in the field.

We had a britt when I was a kid....early 70's....was one of the best, if not the best ,dog we ever had......

Have had Beagles, English pointer, Labs, and Brits. Now have a Spinone Italiano. The breed is highly intelligent, affectionate.a fantastic family dog and a great overall hunter. Point, retrieve land and water. Cant say enough how wonderful this breed is!!!!!!!!!!!
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I have had Brittany's forever, great dogs. Since you are in the panhandle check with Jerry Moncrief, out of Muleshoe. He has Sandhill Kennels. He worked with my Brittany and did a great job.806-946-9907

I hear some setters (English) are pretty good in the house but have great ability in the field.

If you're going to make a lap dog out of your bird dog go with a well bred Brittany. We bought a pair of pups from Ed Orms couple years ago that have been a pleasure. I've always preferred EP's and Setter's but one of these pretty little girls is changing my mind about bird dogs.

My Britt is 10 yo. She’s been a great dog, with an excellent on/off switch. Just make sure to get one that’s bred w/natural retrieve.

Put a deposit down on this Britt yesterday.

Good looking pup congrats!!!

Go ahead and get another, but orange and white. Name them Revillie and Bevo.

Does anyone have any pertinent info on the main differences between a Small Munsterlander and a French Brittany? Does one win out with more versatility, heat tolerance, pointing/retrieving drive? Both seem to have the on/off switch from the research that I have done as a Britt was a foundation of the SM. My question will be just for a smaller versatile dog that can still live in the house, from what i have seen people duck hunt with SM but it isn't so common with britts is just my assumption.

My OK State alum wife might not be into those names!!!