About Us

Hello, we’re Nick and Yvonne Shanto - Breeders of Merit

We are a small kennel based in Sparks, Nevada, located in the heart of chukar country. Both of us were raised with Brittanys as kids, and for us, the American Brittany is a lifelong pursuit of excellence. With over 50 years of combined experience, we have dedicated ourselves to perfecting a line of dogs that embody the "dual dog" ideal—possessing the rugged athleticism and drive for the field alongside the grace and conformation required for the show ring.

Our dogs are not just our personal hunting companions; they are elite competitors that excel in both the field and the show ring. They are regularly hunted on native chukar, valley quail, pheasant, and grouse across miles of prime upland habitat. Because we handle and train our dogs ourselves, we ensure they successfully campaign across multiple venues, including Field Trials, Hunt Tests, Conformation Shows, Barn Hunt, FastCAT, Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog.

Our deep-rooted expertise extends to the highest levels of the sport. We are both respected authorities in the pointing dog community and have served as pointing dog judges for both hunt tests and field trials for over 20 years. This discerning eye and seasoned knowledge are the foundation of our breeding program, where our emphasis is always on quality over quantity. We breed our dogs strictly to the breed standard and proudly follow the American Brittany Club Breeder Code of Ethics. When you choose a Battle Born Brittany, you are choosing a legacy of performance, passion, and unparalleled breed expertise.