Gun Dog Breeder Reviews for Nissen's Classic Brittanys

My wife and I were looking for a French Brittany knowing that it could be both a family member and a hunter. I was glad that I had done my homework and found Mark. After talking to many breeders in my search I couldn't be more pleased with our choice of Classic Bird Hunts for our puppy. Mark is a conscientious breeder that likes to keep track of how the pup's are doing in their new homes and is happy to help out with any question that my wife or I have had regaurding Beau's (formerly Conan) training. This last Sept./Oct. was Beau's first time in the big woods chasing Grouse and he more than exceeded my expectations for his first hunt. At only 8 moths old he was pointing birds and retreived every one I was able to knock down and worked tiredlessly for the 6 hours that we would spend in the woods every day for 6 days straight. Amazingly Beau went from hunting mode to family pet like he flipped a switch which made me and my wife very happy! Mark did a great job picking the Dam and Sire for his pup's, hard hunters and happy and enjoyable family dogs, Mark has breed some real champs of the dog world. After getting Beau and meeting several other of Beau's litter mates and mother I would highly recommend Mark and Classic Bird Hunts if you are looking for a lovable and hard hunting Britt !

Don Kirmess

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I have grown up around brittnays and have never been so impressed by a breeder! After observing Mark and his dogs in the field and at home, my husband and I decided to get a pup. We have been overjoyed. His ability to learn commands while adapting to a home with an older dog has been wonderful. We look forward to fall hunting season and a lifetime of brittnays from Classic Bird Hunts.

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For my 50th birthday my wife Lisa gave me the green light to order my dream dog...a Brittany. This lead me all over the US via the internet and found me at Mark's doorstep. In March I decided to "hand pick" my pup from the litter...WOW was I in trouble! I left with two, Max & Maggie. I had the priviledge to meet Mark's Mom who saw over the pups for their first (6) weeks. Molly, Max & Maggie's mom, was a real sweetheart as well. So far they are the perfect house pets & travelers and are already "hunting" moths, butterflies and mice...I just know they'll do fine this fall on their first real outing with Mark in September. Max & Maggie have already met (4) of Mark's trained, professional dogs and they all get along great. I would recommend Mark and his dogs to anyone with "puppy fever"!

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We own a brother to Molly and couldn't be happier. He is easy to train and calm and sociable with all other dogs and people, a pleasure to have around the house. Our 12 grandchildren love him and he returns the affection. I am not a hunter myself but I occasionally tag along with my husband and can vouch for his love of hunting, intensity, pointing and retrieving. My favorite part of the hunt is the dinner that follows!

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I'm not a hunter but I know HG Mark Nissen well and I'm familiar with his dogs related to the recent litter, expecially Spooner. Spooner is well behaved in a variety of settings. He is friendly but well-mannered. Mark is an excellent trainer and maintains high standards for himself and his dogs. He is an honorable person to deal with and has a real dedication to bringing healthy, well-bread, well-trained dogs into our lives.

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Frodo is a French Brittany and now 22 months old. I started hunting behind Frodo when he was less then 7-months old. I had never trained or even hunted behind a pointer, before getting Frodo. I am amazed at how he came preloaded and ready to play. Frodo has become a constant companion. He comes with me to the work place and is appreciated by coworkers and students alike. My 33 year old daughter, who has loved all our dogs says Frodo is number two. Her childhood buddy still holds number one. Frodo comes from Classic Bird Hunts. He hunts with excitement and has learned to adjust how far out he ranges. He responds well to commands to move right or left, in or out. At 10 months he would honour anothr dogs point. It took awhile for Frodo to reetrieve but after having a bird taken away from him by another dog he decided retrieving was pretty cool. Mark Nissan has helped me when I needed advice and is always interrested in seeing his dogs again.

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I have hunted with Classic Bird Hunts for over 10 years in Wisconsin, Kansas, Arizona and Saskachawan. All of the hunting was behind well trained Brittanys who have a great nose for birds in all conditions, even in the trees. I have especially fond memories of Zoe, who being a gracious host, greeted me with a wagging tail when I arrived. She paid close attention when I laced up my boots and leaving nothing to chance, licked my ear a couple of times to be sure she would get to go hunting that day. Very friendly and a delight to be around.

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I've been fortunate enough to hunt with Classic Bird Hunts in several different states/environments and I'm always impressed how the dogs naturally adapt from the thick Wisconsin woods, to the open grass (and sand burrs!) of Kansas and to the rocky hillsides of Arizona. It's always a pleasure!

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Over the years of hunting and friendship with Mark, it has been a privelage to spend time in and out of the woods with our four-legged friends. The depth and quality of the experience are all enhanced by the intelligence, devotion and affection of his dogs, not only during the hunt, but year round. My only regret at this time is that I cannot become a 24/7, 365 day member of this family.

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I own a brother to the dam. Long-legged, adapts range to cover, all business in the field, checks back often, excellent nose. Temperament is everything you could want: responsive, fun-loving and full of affection for people and other dogs. An easy keeper, easy to hunt, and easy to love.

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It's been my pleasure to share the woods with Classic Bird Hunts dogs. Their Britts are professionals in every sense of the word. That is to say, they are: reliable, intelligent, experienced and physically fit.

It has also been a pleasure to share living quarters with CBH dogs. They are universally well mannered and a joy to be around.

As a field dog owner myself and someone who has been faced with the difficult decision of "what breeder do I choose" - it boils down to trust. Mark Nissen and Randy Matis love dogs and care for them as if they are members of the family. Puppies are carefully watched over and prepared for their new vocation as a field companion.

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Classic Bird Hunts’ Brits have beautiful temperaments exhibiting mild mannered, highly social personalities around people, children, and other dogs of all sizes and breeds. They’ll make themselves right at home and be loyal, endearing companions in your household. It’s a great joy to watch these dogs work in the field! They live to hunt and work incredibly hard for those who get to hunt over them. I’ve been fortunate to witness many incredible points while in the field with these dogs, and I can’t wait for the next opportunity to head into the woods with these hardworking, lovable Brits!

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Although I do not have an American Brittany from Mark Nissan,as a neighbor in northern Wisconsin where his bird hunts are conducted, I can attest to the charming and hard working nature of his bird dogs. Even after a challenging day in the woods, the dogs immediately come to our cabin to play with our Cairn terriers, accept treats and hugs from our family members, and generally make themselves at home. We are continually impressed with gentle, fun loving behavior, as well as their obedience to their owner, Mark Nissan. Our stays in our cabin are made more enjoyable when the "Brits" are next door.

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I've hunted over Brittanies from this breeder for more than a decade and they are uniformly birdy, well behaved but relentless hunters. You can't go wrong here.

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Both my wife and I have had the pleasure of hunting over CBH's Brittanies for several seasons now. I promise you that you won't find a more reliable or versetile hunting dog anywhere!!! Mark and Randy do incredible jobs at developing hard working obedient dogs while still allowing the individual personality and style of each one to shine through. They can work close, they can run, they can trail, the can reposition. They see more birds and more species of birds thatn most dogs that you see. Also, they're great pets!! WE had our 18 month old girl at the CBH lodge this year and they were as friendly as they could be as she inspected their paws, ears and noses. I have hunted with lots of dogs and guides and if you told me that I could only hunt with one group for the rest of my days, I would want it to me with Rosie, Belle, Bobo, and lucy (and mark & Randy too if necessary). Can't say enough good things.

Gabe and Nissa Kochmer
Chicago, IL

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I've hunted over several generations of these Brittanys in a variety of conditions for the full spectrum of upland birds. Grouse and woodcock in northern Wisconsin. Pheasant and Quail in Kansas. These dogs have an amazing capacity for work, tough conditions and challenging weather. One below zero, bone dry day lingers in my memory.

As hard as they work these dogs are extremely steady and careful on point. They are always aware of the handler and extremely tractable. It's always a pleasure to hunt over a dog that has so much punch, yet is so eager to please.

The biggest bonus is how gentle and sweet these dogs become after the hunt. They're lap dogs at heart.

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Being a gun dog owner myself, I truly appreciate hunting over great gun dogs. I have been shooting over CBH's best for at least 10 years now, and a finer experience I have not found. The guides are the best, but the subject here is their four legged accomplices. The names of the greats, that pop of the top of my mind, that I have had the pleasure to walk the woods with include the great Cosmo, Bella, Rosie, BooBoo, and Spooner and Lucy.
These are dogs after my heart, in that while they excel and are masters of the game of upland bird hunting, they are just at home in the cabin sitting around the fire and socializing. You have to go a long way to find such balanced companions as this line of Brittany's. In my 40 years of chasing birds, I have learned what makes great gun dogs great, and I certainly put this group in the great category - the true dual purpose category. Accomplished in the field, yet warm and loyal members of the family.

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I have hunted with CBH on numerous occasions from WI to Kansas and Arizona and they do not disappoint. The dogs are all very birdy and trainable. I would not hesitate to own one of these dogs or to hunt with them. Craig, from INdiana.

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