Dog picture taken by luigi9555.

Dog picture taken by craigemorsels.

We begin this article with the basic facts about the breed, then follow up with an in-depth look at their personality.

Group: Sporting

Weight: 30-40 lbs

Height: 17.5-20.5 inches

Overview

It is believed that the Brittany is a result of a crossing between the Orange and White Setter and an unknown French dog. The Brittany is an energetic dog that has its origin in Brittany, a province in France. Brittanys are very flexible hunting dogs, and one of the most admired pointing breeds used for bird hunting. In a number of countries people refer to this breed as the Brittany Spaniel, but in the United States they are referred to as just the Brittany.

Temperament

The Brittany is a very dependable, dedicated, content and intense dog. This breed is very fond of playing, and they love to exercise as they have plenty of energy. Brittanys are extremely intelligent and obedient dogs that are very easy to train. This breed is suitable for new dog owners as well as experienced dog owners. These dogs love the attention of humans, and it is very important to not desert these dogs. If they are bored, they may become destructive. The Brittany is a very responsive dog that is keen on pleasing its owner and family. These dogs are also very autonomous, spirited and full of live. They adore being involved with the family when there is fun and action.

Care

The Brittany has a beautiful soft and feathered coat. Some effort is needed to keep the coat in a good condition. The coat of the Brittany should be brushed about two times during the week as this will prevent mats from forming and remove dead hairs. This breed is also medium shedding dog that can shed more on a seasonal basis. When it is shedding season, more grooming is required.

Training

Brittanys are peaceful and steady dog that gets on well with children. They also get along well with other animals, but it is very important that you socialise the Brittany from a very early age onwards. They tend to be wary of strangers, and can also be fairly nervous at times. Seeing that the Brittany is very caring toward their families, they make excellent watchdogs. The Brittany will raise an alarm when necessary, but will not bark excessively. Some of the Brittanys can be fairly withdrawn, and to stop this from happening, early socialisation is required.

Health problems

This breed struggles with glaucoma which is an increased pressure within the eye. This can be both a genetic problem and a less important problem when an additional eye condition causes the increase of fluid. The Brittany also has problems with spinal paralysis and hip dysplasia in some of the dogs.

Dog picture taken by nikoretro.

This is the 100 year aniversary of the Brittany Spaniel breed that originated in the region of Bretagne, France. These are home movies (16mm) taken by Alan Stuyvesant labeled 1930 Rennes Dog Show. The footage showing buildings with ornamental brickwork is of the 1946 Rennes, France show, confirmed by Herve Bourdon of Elevage de Cornouaille. Some brief footage of hunting in Vera Cruz Mexico and a Field Trial hosted by Juan Pugibert the man who first introduced Brittany Spaniels to North America and was known for his Casa Blanca Kennels. Film quality is limited by the equipment of the time (hand crank camera), the color footage appeared around 1940.

Dog picture taken by Jeff Bowman (Camera is ill).

Dog picture taken by nikoretro.

Dog picture taken by uberphot.

Dog picture taken by craigemorsels.

Lacie and her daughter Tasha Playing tug of war

Dog picture taken by craigemorsels.

Brittany Spaniel ‘Petty’ is learning how to bait and Free Stack for Junior Handler, Natalie. Nat has two first place wins in Novice Juniors in back-to-back shows with class competition. Petty is 18 months old and is pointed in the breed ring. Coeur d’Lion offers conformation training for dogs and handling instruction for owners who wish to show their own dogs in the breed ring. Linda has successfully shown dogs to their championships in the Sporting group, the Working group and the Herding group.Coeur d’Lion K9 offers Residency Boarding and training and Private training for dogs in Maryland, Virginia, DC, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Dog picture taken by nikoretro.

The Brittany Spaniel is basically a bird dog. She can make a good family pet and watch dog. She likes children and does well with other pets. She prefers to have plenty of space to exercise. She may be a poor choice for an apartment. A properly fenced in enclosure for exercise would be ideal. She needs weekly brushing and monthly bathing. Her breed is considered to be generally healthy.

*Good With Children? Yes, good with children with proper training. As a reminder, never leave a young child unsupervised with any puppy or dog.
*Good With Other Pets? Yes, good with other pets, especially with early socialization.
*Temperament: Very nice family oriented dog. She is happy, alert and eager to please.
*Trainability: Very trainable.
*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Brittany spaniel is 17 to 21 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 35 to 40 pounds. The female ranges from 18 to 20 inches to the withers and 30 to 40 pounds.
*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Brittany Spaniel is no exception, Be on the look out for canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), allergy skin problems, glaucoma, lens luxation, epilepsy and nervousness. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.
She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.
*Grooming. The Brittany Spaniel has a silky, feathered medium length coat that sheds lightly. She should be bathed once a month or so. She should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.
Her nails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.
*Life Span. The Brittany Spaniel can live between 10 and 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.
*History. The Brittany Spaniel hails from the Brittany province of France as a cross between the Orange and White Setter and another French dog. They were officially shown in France in 1896. They were recognized by the American Kennel Association in 1934.

Some Registries:
*American Brittany Club
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 6 to 10 Brittany Spaniel puppies

Category: Sporting, Gun Dog

Terms To Describe: Fearless, happy, alert, good natured, gentle, happy, alert, athletic, compact, elegant,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Good watch dog.
Easy to train.
Very intelligent.
Easy to handle.
Eager to please.
Easy to care for.
She loves water.
She loves to hunt, especially birds.
*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Poor guard dog.
May be a one person dog.
Can be high strung.
Likes birds more than humans.
Needs a moderate climate.
They can bore easily.
Can be hyperactive.

*Other Names Known By: Brittany Spaniel, Epagneul Breton, American Brittany

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

The Brittany Spaniel is a canine breed that belongs to the sporting group. It is an excellent fowl hunter that specializes as a pointer or setter but also retrieves birds as well. They are hyperactive and very sensitive; with a temperament like a child. They get along well with kids and other animals. The Brittany Spaniel is a very playful breed by nature and always delightful fun to be around.

General Appearance

The Brittany Spaniel is a small to medium sized dog; averaging from 17 inches to 21 inches. It has an agile build with sturdy long legs perfectly designed for field running and hunting. It has a dense wavy coat with some feathering. Brittany Spaniels have very charming and expressive faces that make them look very intelligent and human-like.

Temperament

Brittany Spaniels are fun-loving creatures. They have very high energy levels and they need to vent it out from time to time. Interestingly, they are very sensitive to reprimands so they should not be subjected to harsh training methods. Raising your voice and giving an angry look will make him feel very awful. Doing this often will only diminish his confidence and happy disposition.

Brittany Spaniels are easily housebroken. They are naturally clean and they do not want smelly surroundings.

Always secure the confines of your area and always be sure that you have an expansive space for your dog. They are consistent roamers and natural explorers and if the dog lacks training and you are not careful, they can easily get out of sight.

Training: The Essentials

The thing about Brittany Spaniels is that they are very versatile. They can take any role. If you want to own one, you must determine before anything else, how you want to use the dog. Will it be for show, field competition, hunting, or just a plain family dog?

If you want the Brittany Spaniel for show, you must train it extensively. They must master obedience skills and other specific tricks to make it stand out.

If you want it for field competitions, it is imperative to improve its agility and overall fitness. It is really not difficult to train this breed for field events because they are like balls of energy, bouncing all over the place.

If you want to use your Brittany Spaniel for hunting, then you must expose it to the outdoors regularly. Train the dog’s mind to be alert to the stimulus involved in hunting. He must get use to gunshots and retrieving, pointing, and setting instructions. You will find them as very natural hunters. The field is their main domain and they thrive to serve you as hunting companions.

If you just want to have a family companion that will bring joy and fun to your household you just need to teach basic calm behaviors and obedience commands. Let the breeds warmth, friendliness, and innate love for fun fill your household.

Dog picture taken by uberphot.

Bailey is just 6 weeks old in this clip, Jinna, the Weimaraner, and Buddy, the Brittany Spaniel (also Bailey’s full brother) meet Bailey on his first day at Nana’s Doggie daycare where he has come to live and be Nana’s daycare Assistant.

Dog picture taken by craigemorsels.

Dog picture taken by craigemorsels.

The Brittany Spaniel, a member of the Sporting Dog Group is a fantastic all around dog. Known as a hunter. They also have a great disposition and very friendly. Could a Brittany Spaniel be the right dog breed for you? Choosing the right breed dog is very important for you and for the dog. Here are the dog breed standards and other important information you should read prior to buying a new dog or puppy for your home.

History: Also referred to as the Epagneul Breton or Brittany Spaniel, this breed of dogs derives its name from the French province of Brittany from where it originated. The breed was primarily used to hunt woodcocks in France. Their numbers started declining sharply but due to the breeding programs of Arthur Enaud they have been successfully revived. The Brittany was introduced in the United States around 1925.

The type of work the breed does: The Brittany is extremely popular for its hunting capabilities as it is known to be an exceptional in pointing towards the catch. They are also ranked high as “friendly” watchdogs due to their sharp sense of sight and smell, but have developed into very good companion and family dogs.

Physical Representation: This breed is leggy, medium-sized and has a compact build. The color of the eyes which are either amber or hazel as well as the darkness of the nose are ascertained by the color of the coat. The skull is round and of medium length with the muzzle being ram-shaped and having a distinct stop. The ears are fringed and triangular in shape hanging in close proximity to the head. The tail is about four inches in length and can be naturally short or docked.

Personality and Temperament: The breed is very active, intelligent, loyal and obedient. They grasp every possible opportunity to please their owners. Being essentially good-natured, they take to children very easily. Moderate training is sufficient in order to instill a sense of duty and obedience in the Brittany. However, excessively harsh training or ill-treatment can make them timid or nervous. They have a reputation for developing a special attachment to one particular member of the household but do not undermine the authority of the other members. Early socializing can make them accept other pets and dogs readily.

Care: The Brittany does not require too much of grooming and minimal attention is adequate. Regular brushing of the coat will keep it in good condition. Trimming of the feet and hocks will prevent the unwanted accumulation of foreign substances but more intricate trimming is required for dogs to be presented in shows. Bathing, dry shampoo and clipping of the nails should be done as and when necessary. The ears should be checked when it has been exposed to brushy terrains. The Brittany is considered to be an average shedder.

Living environment: Known to be hyperactive at times, the Brittany requires a back yard and a considerable amount of physical exercise. They are known to be good apartment dwellers due to their small size but are best utilized in the country side when they have been assigned to do a particular job.