Tucker, Our Brittany Spaniel

Tucker was born May 15th, 2008.  We got our first glimpse of the litter on June 19th.  Interestingly enough, the one pup that I was able to pick up from the brood was the same pup I picked out on July 5th, the day we had to make our choice since we had first pick of the litter.  It took me about 5 minutes to pick Tucker out of the eight or so at the farm up in Ocala.  We didn't actually take Tucker home until July 26th because we had already planned a vacation to the North Carolina mountains and had time off on the schedules at work long before Shirley, the beeder, knew she was having a new litter.  

So first, we had to travel to Ocala to pick the dog we wanted, then we let Shirley keep him an extra 2 weeks.  On our way back home from the mountains, we stopped off just east of Silver Springs to pick him up.  As instructed by Cesar Milan, I walked him down the driveway and way down the road as the leader of the pack moved on to the next hunting grounds.  Shirley said his nick name was Shark.  But from this day forward, he would forever answer to the name Tucker.

AKC Characterizes the Brittany as - A happy, alert dog, neither mean nor shy. The Brittany is strong, quick and agile, requiring exercise and activity to occupy his body and mind.  He is a happy and alert dog who possesses a willing attitude.

My assessment is that Tucker is much like a Labrador Retriever in many ways.  He is affectionate and loyal.  His retrieving qualities are outstanding.  He is very alert, especially regarding squirels and birds.  He often looks up at flying birds, planes and into trees.  At over 8 months old, he is an ideal size.  He is very social with both people and other dogs.  He does very well at the dog park where he can out run the best of them.  He is so happy when he runs.  I try to take him on a bike run at least once a day - his ears flopping behind, a large smile on his face and a slight pant as he does not wear down easily.

 

Brittany pups before 4 weeks are not near as cute as other breeds.  They are more squirel like with their pudgy nose and barrell torsos.  But at nearly 8 weeks, they really take on a heart attaching cuteness as the pictures on the above link reveal.

 

Tucker is the "running dog" and needs about 4 acres to enjoy his life to the fullest. As a substitue, he goes to the dog park, doggy day care once a week, plays fetch out in the field next to the house and goes on a 1.2 mile bike run with me just about every day if not twice.

 

Although he graduated from obedience class, he was more the class clown - always cuttin' up during lessons and only wanting to play with the other dogs. He will begin his next class this winter for which the owner, the ultimate alpha, will have to follow through on lessons.

 

Tucker has completed his spring agility training - 2 classes. He needs to work on his "attention to the master" skills to move forward with that. But with the summer coming, there are plenty of fun exercise in store. See his long mature gait. What a fine specimen of a Brittany!

 

What to do with your dog when your are about to go on a vacation to the North Carolina Mountians? Put him in the kennel for a 11 days? This is a dog that sleeps in your bed! A kennel would break his heart. Ahhh, the adventure of a lifetime. A city dog meets the country.