Some really good input and explanations provided here. A few weeks back I spent some bucks and submitted a DNA sample on my pup to Embark. The results came back as 100% Brittany. I sort of expected that, but the good news is no evidence of crossbreeding with setters or pointers for those horse-back field trials.
I'm still not totally sold on separate breed vs strain, but I see both sides of that argument. Hopefully the show people don't jump on the EB and focus on the show ring aspect.
The late Logan Bennett advised in his book "Training Grouse and Woodcock Dogs" not to send your pup to a trainer who hunts pheasant or quail if your goal is to hunt ruffed grouse and woodcock.
Another great piece of advice I learned over the years is find a breeder who hunts what you hunt.
I followed that advice with this little Brittany pup of mine and so far, so good. Even if she is the proverbial "American Cousin."
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