Question for Ripper --

[Eckie]

Ripper...

Saw your post to French Spaniel regarding the French Brits...I'm in the market for a pup, and have been doing much research on different types along with what I want out of a dog...hadn't really considered a French Brit until I saw your post and did a little digging. Seems like this breed might be a good candidate for me. Can you give me a insight on your research and a little background on why you decided on one? Did you find one locally?

Thanks much...

- If anyone else has info on this type of breed who's willing to chime in, feel free.

Greg

[ripper]

Eckie,

I hadn't heard about the French Brit until just a couple months ago myself. This past year we had to put down our beagle house dog and I've been looking for new breed. Even though I hunt very little anymore (turned to fishing since my move to MN from ND), I still wanted to find a breed that was a hunter but also made a good house dog. I wanted one that was not too big and had good health characteristics. Also my wife was very insistant on find a breed that was a "light" shedder. From what I found all these seem discribe the French Brit. After seen them first hand and talking to a few people, I'm sold. There are a couple breeders outside the metro area, but I'm getting mine from a breeder in ND. If you want more info I can be emailed at [email protected].

[Eckie]

Thanks Ripper - you have mail.

Greg

[gspman]

Here's a link to a previous thread on Brits & French Brits.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB36&Number=881743&Forum=f36&Words=french&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=881743&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=&daterange=1&newerval=1&newertype=y&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post881743

[Eckie]

Thanks GSPMan -

Seems as I was reading through that link, some thought that the only difference between the Brit and the French Brit was the color. In doing a little research however, I found that it appears these two breeds are very different, even though it's not currently recognized by the AKC. Yes, these differences do include color, but the French Brit is said to have a stockier build and a slightly smaller frame. I initially wondered about the differences too. Overall, this breed from what I've heard and read, seems to be well worth looking into for someone looking for an excellent hunter as well a mild-mannered family dog that is great with small children.

----Anyone know of any problems or downsides that I'm not thinking about with this type of dog?

Thanks...

[ripper]

Eckie,

I'll check my mail once I get home to that email. I spoke to my vet and asked questions about the breed and he was very high on them. No serious health concerns. I too have younger kids aged 5 and 8. It's important to me that if I have a dog in the house I want one that will be well behaved. Some may say that this dog or any hunting dog needs to get out and hunt but if you really think about it, even the most devoted hunter at best can only hunt maybe 3, 4 months of the year and that may be juston weekends? My point is, for the majority of the year dogs do not hunt. As long as they get out and get exercised daily I feel my brit will be just fine. We spend lots of time at our cabin and he will have pretty of play time. Just me .02