| MISSION |
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| The goal of our kennel is to produce high quality foot-hunting companions. Characteristics
that we seek and strive for in our breeding program, include: |
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Conformation/Size: We want a dog with impeccable conformation and fits within the breed
standard of 30-40 lbs. Our females weigh in the low 30 lb range with our males in the mid to
upper 30’s. |
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Temperament: We want a dog that has a calm temperament and is very biddable. The reality
is that hunting dogs only get to hunt 3 months out of the year. They must be a pleasant citizen and companion
for the entire family. Over 90% of Covey Rise Brittanys are in-house companions. |
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Trainability: We want a dog that does not require professional training to become a
proficient hunting dog. We want a dog that takes a minimal amount of training to staunchly hold point and
return birds to hand. |
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Range: We want a dog that is close ranging. The majority of hunters are not
comfortable with a dog that reaches out to the horizon, nor has the landscape to allow this. A quick,
quartering, close-running dog puts birds in the bag across the nation. |
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Hard Hunting: We want a dog that is quick and aggressive in the field, with the boldness to
attack heavy cover when needed. A dog, with proper conditioning, that can hunt hard all day and turn around and
do it again the next. |
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Class: We want a dog that is a pleasure to hunt behind. Smooth, effortless gait, stick tail,
and an alert expression in and out of the field. |
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Coat: We want a dog with a smooth yet tough coat. A low maintenance coat that shines.
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Health: We want a dog that is healthy and requires only the basic veterinary care. A dog void
of hip dysplasia, retinal eye dysplasia, or genetic defects. A dog without allergies, epilepsy, and other ailments
found with other breeds.
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| HISTORY/BREEDING STRATEGY |
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| The first Brittany we owned was in 1983. Quaker Lady, aka Jen, was from Hummer breeding. Hummer
de Dummer was the foundation stud of a line of brittanys known as Hummer Brittanys. Bob Merkle, a professional
trainer and handler of GSP's, owned this dog and began the line with the birth of Hummer de Dummer in 1979. Hummer
Brittanys are a line that has little Field Trial influence. The line was developed as a foot hunter’s brittany
and has stayed that course. Hummer Brittanys have made a name for themselves across Iowa and the Midwest as having
the characteristics mentioned above that we strive for. From this Hummer line comes part of the foundation of our
kennel. 32 time NSTRA Champion Nolan’s Last Bullet is heavily-present in all of our dams' pedigrees. Incorporating
these lines has produced our own unique line, Covey Rise Brittanys. |
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| We firmly believe that great puppies can only consistently come from great sires and dams. We do
not have brood bitches whose only purpose is to throw pups. Our dams are our hunting and companion dogs. We
continuously and strictly evaluate our females. Only the best are allowed to become a Covey Rise dam. Finding a
productive stud dog can be an even tougher battle in itself. Having a dog that is a great hunting dog and companion
does not equate to producing great pups. It is a rare stud dog that can produce himself. Our Covey Rise stud is a
dog that is able to do this. He is from strong Hummer breeding whose great grand-dam is our own Quaker Lady.
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