Brittany Spaniel Dog Breed Information

General Information:

Height: 17.5-20.5 inches
Weight: 30-40 pounds
Life Span: 12-13 years
Coloring: Orange or liver with white. No black is permissible on the coat or the nose.
Area of Origin: France
Similar Breeds: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cumberland Spaniel, English Setter, and Welsh Springer Spaniel.

History and Origin:

The Brittany has been around for a very long time; the first time these dogs were noticed was in tapestries dating back to the 17th century. These dogs were well respected as both a pointer and a retriever. These dogs were bred for hunting and were used extensively in Northwestern France, thus the name of Brittany.

These dogs have started to change over the years, and there are now two types that carry distinct characteristics: The “American” and the “French” Brittany. While still the same breed, American-type Brittanys are known for being larger and heavier than their French counterparts and this difference in standards has created a fair amount of debate in the breeding world. This rift is caused primarily by the American standards changing to suit their dogs, and do not match up with the standards set by the country of origination for this breed. For instance, since 1956 black has been accepted in the French standards yet is still a disqualifying fault in the American standards.

The breed itself was first recorded by name in England in 1907 and officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934.

Personality and Temperament:

The Brittany is a very sensitive, affectionate and loyal companion and working dog. These dogs excel in and out of a working home and while they will enjoy hunting, require significant contact with their families and a soft yet firm hand to lead them. They are a happy dog who will greet their people enthusiastically upon return and will do their best to please their people.

The Brittany makes an excellent family dog as long as they are well socialized when they are young, and rules are clearly set and enforced. As these dogs have boundless energy, if they are not properly exercised it can lead to children being jumped on or played with too rough. These dogs look to their owners frequently for their cues on how to behave. While these dogs are very affectionate, they will have their moments where they need to be left alone. For this reason, it is important to give the dog an area where they can have some privacy.

As these are active hunting dogs, small animals such as rabbits and birds may be considered prey and, as a result, special caution should be observed if you own these other pets. Brittanys can become hyper-focused on these “prey items” and either get a hold of them causing grievous harm or cause them stress by constant staring and hunting behaviors.

These dogs are equally at home as a pet as well as in the field retrieving the latest downed duck. While they make excellent family dogs, it is important to remember that these dogs were bred to hunt. Buying a puppy from working lines is more likely to end up with a dog that is less content living as a pet; however, show lines are well suited to this purpose. Hunting lines of this dog are incredibly intelligent and pick up all aspects quickly and effectively.

Overall, the Brittany makes an excellent all-around dog and is very well suited to the family who is active with children, enjoys camping and occasional hunts. It is important to give these dogs the socialization and security they require as they do have a tendency to be shy and timid if not properly exercised and supported by their family.

Exercise & Training:

The Brittany may not be a large dog; however, these dogs are very active both indoors and out and a fenced back yard is not only desired but required. Ideally these dogs should live on a large acreage where they are permitted indoors to be with their family. Even though, these dogs enjoy being indoors with their families, as these dogs were bred to be used as hunting dogs for generations they are not susceptible to cold or damp conditions and do well outdoors. An underground fencing system should be in place as these dogs do have a tendency to wander like most hunting dogs.

These dogs are extremely active outdoors and can run for hours. This activity level makes them ideal for families who are active and those who love camping. For potential owners who are looking for a calm, lazy dog, there are many breeds out there that will fit your needs, this one will not. Brittanys who are improperly exercised can become anxious, hyperactive, and potentially loud in letting you know their displeasure.

The Brittany should be walked for shorter durations while they are younger as they can be prone to hip dysplasia that is a very painful condition.

Brittanys are very intelligent dogs who grasp new ideas very easily and, for this reason, can excel at obedience and house training quickly. These dogs are also bird dogs that require very specific training. Bird dogs are required to stay calm around the sound of guns, to fetch the quarry without biting it or injuring it. When you are training a bird dog, you want to ensure that you do not teach them bad habits at home. Games such as chase or tug should be avoided as they teach the dog to run away with the quarry or to pull on it once it is in your hand. Should they do this with a game bird, it could become very messy very quickly. Some hunters will still play these games with their dogs, but it can create confusion and, for this reason, should be avoided, especially while the puppy is still in training.

Like all dogs, firm, consistent training is required to raise a well-behaved, well-adjusted dog. This training, combined with sufficient exercise and socialization will help create an exceptional dog for both home and field.

Grooming:

As Brittanys are not short-haired dogs, they do require more grooming than some other bird dogs such as any of the shorthair pointers although the oils in their coat make it fairly low maintenance. They should be brushed on a daily basis although bathing should only be an as-needed occurrence.

When brushing your Brittany, ensuring that you use long, firm strokes that reach down to the skin are important to prevent any loose debris from getting stuck in the hair. A slicker brush works well for this task as long as there are no knots already in their hair. If there are, a wide-toothed comb should be used after lightly spraying their coat with water to prevent breakage. Unless your dog is to be shown, there is no need to trim these dogs as their hair is not long enough to cause discomfort in the summer. Shaving them can also cause an imbalance of the oils in their hair.

As mentioned above, bathing should not be a regular occurrence as this can interfere with the pH and oils in their hair and affect the weather resistance of their coat. This can certainly cause issues with their overall well-being in the winter months.

Special care should be taken to ensure that the ears are checked and regularly cleaned as the lay of their ears can hide and trap dirt and infections. They should also be checked for ticks as they can carry diseases to your dog.

Health and Wellness:

As far as bird dogs go, the Brittany is a very healthy, happy and long-lived dog. With an average lifespan of almost 13 years and over 20% of dogs dying of old age, the Brittanys careful breeding has paid off. Particularly when breeders follow through with genetic testing to ensure stock that carries hereditary issues are not bred.

The issues most commonly seen in this breed are:

Epilepsy

A disease with a potential genetic factor which can cause full body seizures (grand mal) or misfiring in the brain with no outward symptoms (petit mal). There is, unfortunately, no cure yet with proper medication this is quite manageable

Hip Dysplasia

A genetic condition where the dog’s hip joint is shaped incorrectly causing painful rubbing and tearing of the surrounding tissue. This condition is usually treated with medication, physiotherapy, massage therapy and diet for mild cases. Severe cases may require surgery to fix or replace the affected joint. This condition can be tested for by the parents.

Caution should be taken to ensure that puppies are purchased from responsible breeders as all Brittanys should be genetically screened prior to breeding to eliminate hereditary issues from being passed on. These tests may cost a fair amount to be done initially yet will help to ensure that only the healthiest dogs are bred and for this reason improving the breed.

Interesting Facts About the Brittany Spaniel

The Brittany was once known as the Brittany Spaniel, but as these dogs do not behave like spaniels the AKC agreed to change the name in 1982.
Often referred to as “le fougueux” or “the fiery” by those who know this little ball of energy.
Brittanys are known for having a large number of dual champions – dogs who are both a show champion as well as a working champion, more so than any other breed.
Overall these dogs excel everywhere and with everything they are presented with and are very healthy making them ideal for active families and hunters alike.
Susan Dey from the Partridge Family owned a Brittany.