Why is this breed struggling in the UK?

[Oly 12]

Just reading around and can't believe that this breed isn't more common in the UK, they sound great!

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Munsterlander

[mrs sweepy 0]

I think that one of the reasons

Could be that when you ask anyone about gundogs its always cockers labs and springers

you hear about.

The rearer breeds dont get the look in.

Also the price of these dogs could have something to do with it too.

I have the clumber which is not one of the popular breeds to have.

And as the 12 week old pup we bought him for about £800 .

The lot of people would not spend that sort of money on the breed that is not used so much in the field now.

When they can get the lab or springer for half the price.

Its the shame.As in the few years these breeds will be no more.

xxxxsuzy

[deeksofdoom 0]

Just reading around and can't believe that this breed isn't more common in the UK, they sound great!

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Munsterlander

 

I think its more because these dogs are jealously guarded by German breeders. They do not export them freely to just anyone. This is because they have very high breeding standards and only breed the best dogs.

 

I read an article on the Irish Shooters Digest about someone here in Ireland who got one but had to do so through a German friend who imported him

[jessdale 416]

In Germany strict rules have to be followed before gundogs are bred from.In the HPR world the dogs have to obtain certain grades in field trials before they are given a stud book number so the pups can be registered with the breeds kennel club.The trials are a lot different to ours,they are a lot more difficult,and include blood tracking,stalking,sharpness(killing vermin ie foxes) and even a conformation test to make sure the animal is to breed standard.People will breed litters from dogs without the qualifications but the pups will not be eligable to be registered.Can you imagine this sort of thing catching on in the Uk?,No neither can i, far too much money to be made to let a little thing like "breed only from the very best" to get in the way.

[pointer28 1]

I saw one once at a Game Fair in Northern Ireland and it was certainly a fine looking animal, and on paper certainly sounds like an ideal all round gundog.

 

However, with rarer breeds like these, there will always be a smaller gene pool of them available to buy and they may not necessarily be kept and worked as they ought to be.

 

For example, if you want to buy a Lab or Springer, there are thousands available from a massive gene pool, with a long history of work and field trials to look back on. This obviously doesn't guarantee anything, but if you buy a Springer with a pedigree full of Field Trial Champions, then there's a fair chance that he should have at least some working instinct.

 

I read an article in the Shooting Times a few years ago, and if I remember correctly, it was about the first Weimaraner Field Trial Champion to be made up in years in the UK. This doesn't mean that there aren't any good Weimaraners out there, but that there aren't enough competing at a high enough level to be made FTCH's. I'm sure this will change in years to come as they become more popular, but this all takes time.

 

I myself love the rarer breeds and had a beautiful Brittany bitch until she was unfortunately killed on me, but there is a lot of reassurance in just buying a tried and tested breed like the lab or springer. After all, there is a reason why they are so popular. If they weren't any good at their job, they wouldn't be so popular.

Edited November 2, 2008 by pointer28

[kiwi 4]

i think it would be a hard job introducing another european breed into the uk, when you guys have already developed your own working dogs to handle uk conditions, the springer,cocker and lab have seen the demise of even the old breeds like curly coats and the forementioned clumbers, history shows us for some german breeds they just don't have a place in the uk hunting scene, despite being popular in there home country, alot have had to be detuned before they even become useful.

[Joe Kelly 0]

I think that one of the reasons

Could be that when you ask anyone about gundogs its always cockers labs and springers

you hear about.

The rearer breeds dont get the look in.

Also the price of these dogs could have something to do with it too.

I have the clumber which is not one of the popular breeds to have.

And as the 12 week old pup we bought him for about £800 .

The lot of people would not spend that sort of money on the breed that is not used so much in the field now.

When they can get the lab or springer for half the price.

Its the shame.As in the few years these breeds will be no more.

xxxxsuzy

 

A nice mixed bag you got .

[Oly 12]

Thanks for the responses guys. I know what your saying, it's just that this breed or Britanny's fulfil so many of my criteria. I guess I want a dog that will do it all (but pointing primarily) but that will also be one of the family. My wife isn't keen on wirehaired dogs otherwise I may be looking at a GWP. Tricky.

 

Pointer (or anyone else with any experience), how was your britanny and would you go down that route again?

[pointer28 1]

Oly,

 

My Brittany was an absolutely superb dog and I loved her to bits. They are not as "extreme" as the likes of English Pointers, English Setters, Irish Setters etc. They basically wouldn't cover the same amount of ground and are more of a medium range pointer and tend to hunt within a maximum range of 75 to 100 yds of the handler whereas as the "pure" pointing breeds are far more wide ranging. They also tend to run at a far more sensible pace and have great stamina because of this.

 

Mine was extremely intelligent and her only downfall was retrieving, which was entirely my fault, as I didn't pay it enough attention. However, anytime I shot a bird she would find it and stand on it until I came, including strong runners. Sounds amazing, but true. Outstanding nose and if you learn how to work them properly into the wind you will be astounded how far away they will point birds.

 

Like all HPR's, they are a jack of all trades and will not usually perform as well as any of the specialist breeds at their specialist job. For example, if you're on a massive Grouse moor in the highlands, then a brace of English Pointers or Setters will do a better job, likewise, if you shoot ducks on the foreshore every weekend then a Labrador would be your best option. A Brittany will certainly enter cover if there is game in it, but they will never bulldoze their way through brambles all day like a Springer would just for the sake of it.

 

However, if you're like the rest of us who does a little of everything and hasn't room for half a dozen different gundogs then I would gladly recommend them to anyone.

 

Unfortunately I live beside a busy main road and I won't get any more dogs while I'm living here. However, as soon as I get my own place, another Brittany (or two) will be top of my shopping list.

[Oly 12]

Excellent write up there Pointer , real and 'to the point' (sorry couldn't resist !). Sorry to hear that your current situation isn't very dog friendly, and I wish you all the best when you do decide to move. Many thanks, Oly

[pointer28 1]

My pleasure Oly,

 

Feel free to PM me if you ever have any more queries.

[Dux 5]

Pointer nailed it pretty well. My understanding is that SMs are rare everywhere, including in Germany. Small gene pool has many drawbacks. Have met 4 here in the states, seemed soft & too close working for my tastes. (I have a 5yr old DD). DD's are high energy and can be a bit stubborn, but if you get 'em the exercise (physical & mental) and stay the top dog in the relationship, then I think they can't be beat.

[Big bald beautiful 1,231]

must admit i wouldnt want to work a dog costing £700

the main reason i dont own a straight deerhound.

[smarty 0]

remind me of a springer i saw once quite leggy and thin not how i usually see them

 

look like nice dogs but as people have said rarety and price hold them back

[farlap 19]

remind me of a springer i saw once quite leggy and thin not how i usually see them

 

look like nice dogs but as people have said rarety and price hold them back

i have a hunter friend in Denmark who has one and rates it most highly.