A letter from your new puppy
At Maple River Pheasant Hunts we do periodic breeding of our Brittanys. Since we need to keep young, active dogs in our line up we end up having litter every second or third year. When breeding we have standards that we have set First and foremost is temperment. Dogs become a part of the family We want them to fit right in as a loving, good tempered, obedient companion! Secondly, we breed for hunting ability. We choose proven and titled champion lines for our studs. We only breed our best females here at Maple River as we want to duplicate what we already have! Third, we follow the standards for the Brittany breed. We do have some things we prefer within those physical standards. We like the dark orange almost auburn color rather than the lighter orange (It seems like the white stands out so much brighter against that darker color). We prefer a shorter tighter coat. We look for a longer legged dog. The Maverick line has a specific head marking which we try to duplicate as well.
We realize that once our pups leave home, we trust the new owners will provide them with everything they need to grow up into the great family and hunting dog they expect. We’ve included here a letter we sent out with our last litter to the new owners. As a new dog owner of any breed, we hope this will help you with your new pup.
Yip! (Hi),
I am excited to become a new member of the family!
In fact, most things excite me these days as there is so much to see, smell and explore. I can go, go, go but then I have to take a quick nap so I can go at it again. I love to play and exercise! Sometimes I can get so excited that I start to bite. I hear that’s natural for puppies. We are not discriminating, a hand, foot or shoe is just the same as a toy. But, if you keep giving me toys or chews and gently redirect me, I can make the change.
Because the weather has been so cold and rainy this spring, we spent our first 4 weeks in the house. It was nice, warm and safe. Once we started to climb out of our box (and we became poopers extraordinaire‘s), we were moved out to our own kennel with a dog house big enough to hold all 12 of us. We have a tarp over the top of the kennel for shade, to keep us dry and to keep us safe from predators. I like the shelter of my own kennel/dog house (or special place) when I sleep or need a time out. The first few days after I leave my mom and litter mates may be tough. I may sleep better if I have plenty of exercise, a safe, cozy place to curl up and a ticking clock or music near me. I will make the transition once I get used to it.
When I was 2 weeks old I got supplements of Calf Milk Replacement and Colostrum along with my mom’s milk. At 4 weeks old, my mom was tired of us chasing after her, so we were started on Purina Puppy Chow moistened with water and Calf Milk Replacement. Now I eat Purina Puppy Chow either moistened or dry. If you feed me about 3 times a day and keep me in fresh water, I will continue to grow up healthy and strong.
I am getting used to all kinds of noises, smells and sights. I still get startled at loud noises I don’t know. During the 4th of July fireworks season, please don’t let anyone scare me by setting off fireworks too close to me. I need time and proper introduction to these loud noises.
I will need some obedience training and consistent re-direction to help me grow up to be a well behaved dog. Right now I’m too little for formal education but over the next few months I will learn a lot of things from spending time with you. Right now when I hear clapping and a nice voice, I come running for a little attention. If you put me outside often, I’ll soon learn when and where to go to the bathroom . When we go for walks, I will enjoy the opportunity to explore and get some exercise but this will also help me with ranging and checking in with you, to get familiar with your voice /whistles and to start understanding some simple commands. At six months old, there are places that offer puppy school if you want to get some help with other basic obedience commands. Reinforce my good behavior with lots of praise and pets!!!! I am a smart puppy so I should learn quickly with loving, consistent training.
My basic instinct to hunt will be very strong. I will likely show you some of these instincts over the next months. If you give me things to carry around and play “fetch” with me, that will help with my retrieving in the future. If you have any wings or feathers, I may start to point! In fact, I may point at everything I can: cats, squirrels, birds, turtles, grasshoppers anything that moves! If you get me into tall grass, woods and water I will learn how to master getting through and over all kinds of terrain plus I get exercised at the same time. To get used to gun noise, please shoot them in the distance the first few times, then gradually shoot them closer to me. For more information, there are training videos and books available that cover puppy obedience basics and pointing puppy preparation for the field. One you may want to check out is: Training Pointing Dogs, by George Hickox. This can be purchased online at: LCSupply.com
This fall I want to hunt with you! I am young, so I may not do everything right away. The best thing to do if possible this hunting season, is to take me out alone with you. This will teach us a lot about each other. In the beginning, if there are a lot of other people and dogs around, I might get too distracted to listen or I’ll want to follow them!!!! I’m a rookie, with tons of potential!!!! I want you to be happy with me, but I’ll likely make lot’s of mistakes while I’m learning. Be patient and correct me gently.
There are also some great training schools I can attend, that will help me become a great hunting dog when I’m a little older. My mom, half brother and sister all went to Willow Creek Kennels for training. John and Cathi were very pleased with the results! If you want to send me to their alma mater call Chad and Jodie Hines at 1-320-360-3603.
Included with this letter is official information about me that you will want to keep on file.
Pedigree information: This is all about my mom Maie and my dad Bull. They come from great bloodlines which means I have a lot’s of good things bred into me that will make me a great hunter and nice family dog.
Vaccination information: My first shots and first worming were done on June 23, 2008 at Pequot Lakes Vet Clinic. At the time I got my shots (OW!), the vet checked me over and said I was a very healthy and strong puppy. I have a clean bill of health!!!! You will need to go back for more wormer (Strongid Suspension) as I need two more doses over the next two weeks. My next shots will be due when I’m 10-12 weeks old. You can also put me on heartworm medication and flea/tick preventative at that same time.
AKC registration application: Please register me with AKC. You never know when this registration will come in handy for both of us.
If you have any questions, concerns or you just want to brag about how great I am John and Cathi want to know. Please call any time to talk about me!!! Their phone numbers are: Cell 507-271-2474 SD phone 605-329-2790 E-mail: mapleriverph@yahoo.com
I am a hunting dog but most importantly I will be a loving and loyal family pet. I can’t wait to become part of the family! Remember, I will always love you so please give me the same in return.
With excited anticipation,
Your newest addition!!!