Brittanys: A guide to dogs and puppies of the Brittany breed

The Brittany!

The Brittany or Brittany Spaniel is a compact, leggy dog originally bred to hunt. He makes an excellent pointing bird dog because of his keen sense of smell. Aside from the Britanny’s exceptional nose, his excellent working ability account for his popularity. The natural ability of the Brittany sells him as a breed to many neophytes in the field of hunting as he seems to know better what to do than his master. He can be tail-less or have his tail docked to approximately four inches. Agreeable with children and other pets.

Some Quick Facts:

Life Expectancy:
12-14 years

Energy Level:
High

Living Conditions:
Not suitable for apartment life. Needs areas to run and hunt..

Barking:
Average

Exercise Needs:
At least 1 high-intensity hour per day. Walks are not sufficient.

Breed Group:
Sporting

Size:
Medium-Small

Height:
17 to 21 inches

Weight:
30 to 40 pounds

Standard Hair Colors:
Orange and white, or liver and white, with either clear or roan patterns.

National breed club:
The American Brittany Club

Brittany Skills

The Britanny is used primarily on upland game in the United States, but is used on both fur and feather in France.
He retrieves both on land and in water. Today, the Britanny make excellent family dogs and excel in many areas, including its exceptionally keen nose and a very biddable disposition. Many of the country’s top dogs have been house pets as well as field winners and fine hunting dogs.

Brittany Personality

The Britanny has a typical friendly disposition and is very willing to please his master. He may be expected to absorb training more easily than some of the other pointing breeds, needing only a sharp scolding or slight punishment. The Britanny is athletic, intelligent, quick and curious. This dog gets along well with children and any household pets.

Exercise Needs

The Brittany is a high energy dog and needs lots of exercise or opportunities to hunt to keep him happy. It requires an hour or more of good exercise every day. It is not sufficient to take it for walks.

Living Conditions

The Brittany is a happy, alert and active dog. He loves to work and is eager to please. He thrives on challenges and exercise, work and friendship, and makes an ideal dog for someone who can give him a serious daily workout. This makes it unsuitable for apartment life. It is happiest living where it can run freely and taking part in field sports. His small size makes him easy to carry in a car.

Grooming Requirements

One of the advantages of a Brittany is that it is not a high-maintenance dog in terms of coat care and upkeep. Coat maintenance is easy, with no clipping necessary if your dog is strictly a pet. It will need a good brushing with a slicker brush once or twice a week to get out dead hair and to make sure the dog is free of parasites such as fleas or ticks. Long nails are not only unattractive and ruin a dog's feet, but the longer they get the more danger there is of one being torn off.

Health Issues

Britannys have fewer genetic defects than most other breeds. However, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, skin allergies and eye problems are known in the breed.

If you liked this dog…

The Britanny is naturally active and alert. If you like the Britanny, you may also appreciate other sporting dogs which include pointers, retrievers, setters and spaniels. Remarkable for their instincts in water and woods, many of these breeds actively continue to participate in hunting and other field activities.