The foundation sires of Hawkwise Brittanys
Hawkwise Highlander
His son: Pouilly Fume
His grandson: Hawkwise Land Agent
His great-grandson: Kentwone Eastern Flame
Since this website was first designed we have followed the heritage of Hawkwise Brittanys for over 35 years. It has been a wonderful journey but nearly ended on a negative note. In April 2025 a Brittany bitch, from the very first litter sired by Hawkwise Land Agent, was diagnosed with Progressive Retinal Atrophy - more usually understood as 'night blindness'. This is genetically inherited and has been unknown in Brittanys, both in the UK and France. Its presence meant that, probably, both parents must 'carry' the disease. DNA screening was done to establish any implications for our bloodline. For this reason Land Agent was temporarily unavailable at stud, and we advised anyone thinking of breeding from one of his many descendants to have them checked for this disease first.
Happily the DNA sampling did not reveal any known variant of the disease, and it was established that his affected daughter may have suffered a degeneration of her retina caused by external factors. Further testing confirmed that Land Agent was not a carrier for the disease, so he and his descendants can be used at stud without any fear.
More unhappily we had to say goodbye to Land Agent on 18th August 2025. After years of struggling with the after-effects of Lyme's disease, managing his condition with steroids and pain killers, his robustness could no longer cope, and we had to make the hard decision. For myself this was about more than the death of a favourite dog, as Land Agent will also be my last one.
Having been born into a dog-breeding family, I have never been without a dog by my side. My parents kept cockers, then Airedales, and when I left home (to work with dogs naturally) my wife and I raced and bred whippets. It was not until 1987, after I had started Heart of England Falconry, that I got my first Brittany, and they opened up a world I had never previously imagined. No breed I had previously come across, has the potential and the willingness that Brittanys offer - and Land Agent was the greatest dog I have ever had. My hands were the first thing he felt on being whelped, when I cleared mucus from his mouth and nose so that he could take his first breathe. And my hands were the last thing he felt, as they held him as he slipped away. For nearly ten years we were inseparable, and enjoyed a depth of communication that is rare. Together we earned many new admirers for the breed, and his offspring have continued to be good ambassadors of Brittanys as working dogs and loyal pets. He would lie with his head on my foot whenever I sat down, and went everywhere with me - a perfect pet, a proper gentleman and a constant companion. Rest in peace, Toby.
All is not lost however. A dog from his last litter, Staffordshire King, was selected for the English team at the Home International Working Challenge, held at the 2025 Game Fair. He represented his country, and the breed, with honour. In September 2025 he followed this up by winning the Hungarian Viszla Club's Novice Grouse Trial, including the Guns Award. Surely a Field Trial Champion in the making. Congratulations to him and his handler.
Hawkwise Land Agent (Toby)
Born 14th October 2015 (Pouilly Fume x Hawkwise Fair Copy)
Orange/white docked. Free from sable gene but carries tricolour.
Hip score: 6/8. Height 51 cm.
SHOW SUCCESSES: Won dual CCs at both Windsor & Darlington 2018 and was Best of Breed at Birmingham and Res. Best Dog at Bath (both these had no CCs on offer). Scarcely shown since due to Lyme's disease and then the cancelling of shows because of Covid.
Fee £600 - return service or refund if no live or dead pups produced.
Standing in Warwickshire. Proven sire and very keen (but patient) with his bitches.
Contact Steve Wright on 07395 094206 or email stevewright.falconer@outlook.com.
WORKING SUCCESSES: Won the prestigious Stan Smith Cup for the TAN at Brittany Club Championship Weekend 2016 - also gained his REEP (Deep Water Retrieve) Diploma and won the Novice Retrieve Trophy on the same day - all when only 11 months old.
Worcester Gundogs Society HPR Shootover Day 2018 - voted "Dog of the Day" against other HPR breeds.
2021 HPR Inter-breed Challenge: Toby was on the Brittany 4-dog team and was their top scorer. He also shared the highest mark for the hunting element (38 out of 40) with one other dog from a field of 44.
2023 at the Brittany Club's Working Day Toby won the Advanced Retrieve trophy from the holder Gefni Mile a Minute (another Hawkwise relative).
What Hawkwise Land Agent excelled in. Toby was a very correctly built dog, with the short loin and sturdiness that fitted the description "stocky". He had excellent movement, and performs equally well on heavy plough or mountainous rock screes. A superb temperament, both as a working dog and a pet. Toby also had the strongest of feet and a particularly dense coat, qualities that enable him to cope with the toughest terrain and cover. He was a powerful swimmer and retrieved both fur and feather tenderly to hand.
Although rarely competing in the trials field he was appreciated by those gamekeepers and shooting men who knew him. In the beating line he covered a wide front, without missing a single point, and would pick injured birds up or assist the pickers-up. One gamekeeper was moved to say that "You can never have too many Brittanys on a shoot" - a rare compliment indeed, an done echoed by many guns.
With the typical Hawkwise "game sense" allied to a great nose and tremendous hunting drive Toby, unusually for working Brittanys, remained responsive at any distance and in the face of any temptation. He had a genuinely generous nature and was never unaware of what you want.
Whether you are planning to breed for work, show or the pet market he will tick all your boxes. Our line of working Britts is not closely related to any of the more popular UK "kennels" so Hawkwise Land Agent offers different bloodlines that will not clash with those of most bitches. To date his litters have been very level, and of a consistent, short-backed cobby type. They have excellent heads, pleasant temperaments, and all move well. Early reports on their working ability is very positive.
Pouilly Fume
6th May 2010 (Hawkwise Highlander x Cosd'Estruval)
Sad to report the passing of this great dog, with cancer, at the age of just 12 years. Our sympathy, and gratitude, go to his owner Clare Gillon. His son, Hawkwise Land Agent, is left carrying the baton.
Kentwone Eastern Flame
31st July 2021 (Hawkwise Land Agent x Kentixen Starry Eyes)
Orange & white, tailed (docked). Height 51 cm, Hip Score 5/6 = 11
Kentwone Eastern Flame ( pet name Oatley) has all the ingredients to make a great working dog. He displays the intelligence, responsiveness and obedience you expect from this breeding. He has a superb pet temperament with all the family and young children, and interacts kindly with other dogs, making him a perfect, affectionate pet. Outside he remains very active, and this is demonstrated by the ease with which he is taking to agility and canicross.
Oatley has the correct power/weight ratio and conformation of his parents, and a good hip score. His strong feet and dense coat equip him to withstand the toughest of terrains.
Fee £500 - return service or full refund if no live puppies.
Contact Ian Scott on 07728 555600 or email ianscott43@msncom (Wiltshire).
