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"Should I breed my female?" Please see Frequently Asked Questions for things to consider.
Originally founded in 1973 to provide a source of hunting dogs for personal pleasure, Topper-Lyn Kennels soon developed into a full-fledged training, grooming and boarding facility. Headquartered in Clinton, MT, Topper-Lyn Kennels quickly established itself as a leading kennel in Western Montana. Focusing primarily on the American Brittany Spaniel, TLK expanded to include several of the “versatile” hunting dog breeds as well as other specialized breeds. Early training focused on the philosophy of the retrievers but soon evolved into the development of a more complete, versatile hunting dog. Topper-Lyn kennels’ dogs were first given a chance to prove themselves in a 1974 NAVHDA Natural Ability Test which included a training seminar by NAVHDA founder Sigbot “Bodo” Winterhelt, held in conjunction with the test. That first seminar has had a lasting effect on the training philosophy used at Topper-Lyn Kennels.
While developing a solid line of hunting dogs Topper-Lyn Kennels was also proving itself in the international show arena, establishing a mission that we still hold to today, that Form Equals Function. It is our belief that breed standards were set in place because they are the ideal physicality of what a breed should be to properly perform its intrinsic functions. With that, we are dedicating ourselves to breed dogs that display a strong natural hunting instinct, but also maintain conformation of a quality to succeed in the show ring as well. Our philosophy was first proven by one of our American Brittany’s, Suzabob’s Hun Harrasser, who achieved a NAVHDA Natural Ability Prize III as well as AKC and CKC championship titles. Tiger’s wins included a total of 49 individual placements — 8 Best of Breeds and 4 Sporting Group placements (including Sporting Group First) and he was ranked the #2 Brittany in Canada two years running.
Relocation to Arizona in 1981 ended that phase of our hunting dogs. Having come from a background in ranching dating back to the “hat’s off ranch” of the late 1800’s in Whitehall, MT (Origin of the Topper-Lyn Kennels logo), we redirected our focus to working cow dogs, the Queensland Heeler, also know as the Australian Cattle Dog. While not being utilized in the national competition arena, they were proven in a far more serious environment, working Arizona cattle ranches where they worked cattle, horses and even buffalo.
Once again returning to Montana, this time to Stevensville, Topper-Lyn Kennels began the search for a new line of hunting dogs, once again for personal pleasure. Having owned several of the versatile hunting breeds at one time or another, the task was broad and seemingly endless. Eventually we were brought back to the Brittany but this time to a “New” Brittany that predated the American Brittany by hundreds of years — the foundation breed Epagneul Breton (Brittany Spaniel) from France (known in this country as the "French Brittany." The French Brittany encompasses everything that we were looking for in a hunting dog: compact, close working, energetic, intelligent family companion. We purchased our first French Brittany in 1998 and are now working toward developing a line of dogs that are well tempered, easily trained, and have a strong hunting ability, along with proper conformation. The perfect dog may never be found, but we have rededicated ourselves to the development of the breed in order to come as close as possible.