About Dawson Lake Bretons

THE DAWSON LAKE BRETONS PHILOSOPHY

Dawson Lake Bretons was built around one simple philosophy: to produce the type of Epagneul Breton I want to hunt behind while remaining true to the breed standard. Every breeding decision I make is guided by the qualities I value most in an upland bird dog: drive, intelligence, and instinct, without sacrificing the structure, temperament, and conformation that define the Epagneul Breton.

I started with American Brittanys before making the transition to the Epagneul Breton. While their smaller size initially caught my attention, it didn’t take long to realize the breed offered everything I was looking for in an upland bird dog. I was fortunate to learn from experienced mentors who taught me the value of hard work, patience, and dedication to producing and developing quality dogs with the right instinct, conformation, and drive. Those experiences shaped the vision behind Dawson Lake Bretons and continue to influence every breeding decision I make today.

My breeding program is built for the upland hunter first. It is intended for the hunter who waits all year for bird season, gets only a limited number of days in the field, and expects their dog to produce every time it leaves the truck. Those are the dogs I strive to produce. The kind you’re eager to turn loose every morning and trust until the hunt is over.

Field trialing has become one of the most valuable tools in my breeding program. It allows me to objectively evaluate dogs while identifying the qualities that consistently lead to success. Success in competition does not define a dog, but it provides another objective measure to evaluate whether the breeding decisions I make are moving the program closer to the vision I have for Dawson Lake Bretons.

While field trialing provides valuable objective evaluation, it is only one part of the process. Every hunting season provides another opportunity to evaluate my dogs on wild birds, allowing me to see how they perform under real hunting conditions. Whether in competition or on wild birds, every evaluation helps shape the future direction of the breeding program and the decisions that follow.

Every breeding is planned with a purpose. Health testing, proven pedigrees, and careful evaluation all play an important role, but every breeding decision ultimately comes back to one simple question:

Will this cross produce the type of dog I want to hunt behind?

That question is the foundation of every decision I make. Every breeding is another opportunity to learn, refine, and move one step closer to the vision that inspired Dawson Lake Bretons. My commitment is not simply to produce the next litter, but to continually build a breeding program that remains true to the Epagneul Breton while never losing sight of the purpose that started it all.

A Note of Gratitude

Although Dawson Lake Bretons reflects my vision and the work I’ve put into building this kennel, it would be impossible to tell my story without recognizing the people who helped me along the way. One person in particular is my friend Clint LaFary. He believed in me before I had established a name for myself, challenged me to become a better trainer, breeder, and trialer, and generously shared his knowledge and experience. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without his mentorship and friendship. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.