I’m excited to announce that Dawson Lake Bretons Brigitte, better known around the kennel as Tilly, will be staying here at Dawson Lake Bretons as the newest addition to the kennel.
Tilly comes from the second breeding between Tank and Tea, a pairing that was made to continue building on the qualities I value most in an upland hunting dog. Reports from their first litter showed strong prey drive, energy, early instinct, and natural retrieving ability, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Tilly develops from the same cross.
From an early age, Tilly stood out for her confidence, curiosity, and fearless personality. She started as one of the more cautious puppies in the litter, but as she became comfortable with her surroundings, that hesitation quickly gave way to boldness. She became increasingly willing to explore, engage with new situations, and hold her own with the larger puppies in the litter.
She is playful, independent, and full of personality. She approaches new experiences with curiosity and has shown the kind of attitude that makes a young dog enjoyable to develop. Those early qualities don’t guarantee what she will become, but they give me a reason to be excited about her potential.
Over the coming months, Tilly will begin her development through structured exposure to the field, birds, gunfire, launchers, recall work, and e-collar conditioning. As she matures, she will also be developed through hunting and field trial competition so I can evaluate her ability, temperament, structure, and overall suitability for the future of the kennel.
Tilly is being retained as a breeding prospect, but that opportunity will have to be earned. Her future in the breeding program will ultimately depend on her health clearances, conformation, and performance in the field. Keeping a puppy is not a guarantee that she will be bred. It simply gives me the opportunity to evaluate her over time and determine whether she represents the direction I want Dawson Lake Bretons to continue moving.
I’ll be sharing Tilly’s development as she grows, and I’m looking forward to watching her personality, hunting ability, and natural instinct continue to take shape. Time will tell what her future holds, but I’m excited to begin the journey with her and see what influence she may one day have on Dawson Lake Bretons.