J & As Brittanys - Bird Dogs - Maine American Brittany Breeders

I can't even begin to put into words what an amazing experience we have had with John and Ann. We were brought together about 4 years ago when I tried to track down my aging Brittany's bloodline. A Google search led me to Maine, where John and Ann had my dog's 1/2 niece! Upon navigating their website I was astonished at the level of compassion and love for the dog that was both given and received as displayed through words and photos. Not only did I discover that their values and general philosophy regarding dogs and breeding lined up with mine, but that these dogs are truly their Treasures (as one is so aptly named). We joyfully received our little Wilson in March of 2011 and it has been the perfect adventure ever since. Although we have our dogs purely to love, it is clear that Wilson's natural ability is keen and that he comes from a fine line of gun dogs. His gait exemplifies the utmost confidence and willingness to please. John and Ann have a required reading for all of their new owners regardless of prior experience. This alone showed the care and concern they have with placing their dogs in the proper environment. They invest in each and every puppy from the moment of conception. Each whelping mother receives treatment that most human moms would be jealous of including nursing mother's pudding, and massages! Then, there are the puppies....oh the puppies. They are busy from day one! First, it is working hard on eating and growing strong. Next it is socialization with each other and their very special human helpers. Each and every puppy responds so positively to human touch because they have learned they receive love that way. Next, it is on to the noise sensitivity training as they begin to ready themselves for the next stage in development. The litters are gently exposed to a variety of different sounds from doorbells to toilets flushing etc. Lastly comes the puppy aptitude tests in which all puppies feel success:) I could go on and on, but our Wilson enjoys an active life with his Brittany friend Brandy. He is incredibly intelligent and intuitive. Running in the yard, long walks along the ocean, fetching the tennis ball, and dog treat puzzles keep him stimulated and happy. Agility will be our next focus as we get some more basic training down. It is at nighttime when his true "personality" comes out. He just wants to be held like a baby so he can cuddle up under the covers (head and all) and sleep for the night. If you are interested in a dog from J and A's, I can tell you that it needs to be apparent that this dog is not only a gundog, but a family member. You must be a clear Brittany person who loves, understands, and fosters the beauty of the breed. I have never seen, much less heard of breeders that put this level of committment into their life's ministry! I feel HONORED that my family and I were chosen to receive our dear Wilson, because we can't imagine our lives without him. Thank you John and Ann. We will be repeat clients for as long as you are breeding, because you clearly breed the best.

Lost my second Brittany to old age 2 years ago October. Found J and A Brittany online and began a correspondence with Ann that resulted in my acquiring my third Brittany the following March. The care and concern exhibited by John and Ann in the breeding and care of their litter was amazing to behold. The pups were raised in an active environment exposing them to ever more challenging situations and new experiences as the grew older. My dog, Avon, has turned out to be an active, well adjusted, inquisitive little girl and is an outstanding bird dog in her second season. She has style, drive and grace.. All these things can be traced back to careful breeding and good rearing. I can't think of a better couple to acquire a Brittany field dog/family member from! Greg

The J&A Brittany owned by Ann and John Short has been a wonderful experience! Our girl is now 17 months old and when we drove to Maine from Ohio to bring her home she was 8 weeks old.Maggie Rose has changed my life...she is such a joy and I look forward to many adventures with her! Maggie is being trained in Agility which we both enjoy very much! My future goal with Maggie is to pass the Canine Therapy Test so she can bring joy to other people. Working with Ann and John was a dream come true. They are wonderful, informative, always "on call" if you have a problem, and best of all have become good friends! I would highly recommend them to anyone!

I spent two years trying to find the right breeder of a Brittany and finally found John and Ann. I was looking for a gun dog as well as a family pet, and I have both. I have nothing but great things to say about J & A's Brittanys. I haven't been out many times hunting yet, but each time out my pup Annie is learning how to hunt better through her own intelligence. I can see her working different areas in a different manner, quartering on her own, and smelling the air to find likely areas rather than just nose to the ground blindly. What I have been most impressed with is the staunchness of her points. She points from about 10-15 feet away, and doesn't budge. Even when she was on point for a three or more minutes she didn't creep, and she hasn't flushed a bird yet, only pointed. It's a very proud feeling to have one of the best dogs in the fields I have been hunting, even with her young age. I'm constantly amazed with what she can do and I couldn't be happier with her in terms of a gun dog or a spoiled bed sleeping mushball family dog.

John and Ann are very particular about who buys their dogs, requiring a visit to their house before a dog goes to you. They are always available with any questions you need answered, and love to share the growing of the dogs. Their family approach has brought many of the owners together as friends, and they build a community of Brittany owners. They not only breed great dogs, but they try to further the breed and breed awareness. Top notch all the way!

We have a one year old male Brittany that we purchased from J & As Brittanys. There is not enough room here to tell you about this member of our family. Magnum is amazing. His personality is one that everyone falls in love with. He is kind, gentle, loving, and VERY eager to please. His hunting instinct is just as amazing as his personality. He spent this past weekend at hunting camp. Magnum is recovering from a serious injury (he was hit by a car in April). Because of this, he has had little to no training. Well, this past weekend he was pointing and retreaving birds almost as well as a seasoned hunter!
I would HIGHLY recomend J & As Brittanys to anyone. They are more then a breader, they are an amazing family. A family that provides amazing dogs.

We got Moxie from John and Ann in March of 2011 and we couldn't be more pleased with her over all development - mentally, physically, in the field and at home. She's highly intelligent, eager to learn, lots of stamina and has no fears.....due to the Shorts properly socializing her early on. John and Ann have been a valuable resource by offering support with questions, hands-on field instruction, and by providing multiple resources on their website. We highly reccommend them as responsible & reputable breeders.

You might seek out your next Brittany from J & A’s Brittanys for their high quality breeding program. But I found that their philosophy struck a chord with me, because Ann and John Short do not just breed accessories for the hunter; they breed loving companions which also happen to be talented in the field, show ring, agility course – essentially, Brittanys with lots of potential. These people know the science, art, and heart of breeding Brittanys. Be prepared to undergo a thorough screening process as this family strives to place each puppy in loving and active households, with priority – but not exclusivity - given to hunters. Conformation, hunting ability, and temperament are paramount in their breeding program. Our 8-week-old Brittany pup entered our home happy, healthy, confidant, socialized, crate trained, and sleeping through the night. She is also a very good-looking Brittany, with beautiful markings and graceful comportment. These are the characteristics you can expect from a J & A’s puppy.
Ann and John devote an enormous amount of time to each puppy in every litter. Their work is impressive, and their love for their dogs (and your dog) is unparalleled. Ann & John are always eager to hear news and see pictures of our Brittany and her achievements. Of course our next Brittany will come from J & A’s Brittanys. We love that crew! Check out Ann’s blog at their web site. You’ll see what I mean about quality.

Tenzing
Tenzing came from Ann & John Short’s Jack & Molly Litter of Jan 2010. Ann & John did a great job of raising these puppies through their first 8 weeks. The Shorts let the puppies climb and play on different shaped objects such as tunnels, low walls and boxes.. John & Ann banged pots and pans at meal time so that the puppies would not be alarmed by loud noises.

Tenzing is loving, cute and loud, incredibly, energetic, intelligent and mischievious… all the characteristics of a wonderful Brittany. When he’s playing, he displays his glee with a fun happy face.

He’s a fantastic athlete. He runs through the woods like he owns them. He is easy to teach and is eager to learn new tricks. He is turning into a wonderful dog agility guy.

We loved the interest our breeder showed in us and in matching the right pup with our needs and desires As far as I'm concerned, they found a perfect match. Additionally, our pup was very well socialized and people friendly when we picked him up at 10 weeks of age! Finally, he has a great nose, is smart and is an eager learner wanting to please both at home and in the field! We just love having him as a great little guy and a wonderful companion!

I own Two J&A Brittanys and would recommend them to anyone interested in a dog that hunts hard. Easy to train! The dogs have the physical stamina to adjust their hunting style to the cover/conditions. Great with the family and easy to raise in house setting.