Dog Breed: The Brittany Spaniel

The Brittany Spaniel hails from Northwestern France. They come from the French province where they get their name, Brittany. French huntsman who crossed Land Spaniels with English Setters developed them during the 18th Century. From the crossing came a dog who was far more akin with a Pointer or a Setter than a Spaniel.

In France, in 1907, the Brittany Spaniel received recognition as a breed. It was not until 1931 when they achieved recognized in the United States. Three years later, in 1934, the American Kennel Club gave them official acceptance. In 1982, the Brittany Spaniel simply became the “Brittany”.

The Brittany is a wonderful dog. They are extremely good-natured, playful and jovial. They are an excellent choice for the novice dog owner as they are easy to train, obedient and manageable. However, owners must be committed to keeping up to their daily exercise needs. They are a hunting dog and can become noisy, destructive and unhappy when ill exercised.

The Brittany is good with both children and other animals and fits well into an active family environment. They are a gentle and sweet natured dog, a friend to all humankind. They are not guard dogs. However, they will bark at anything suspicious.

Aside from their exercise needs, the Brittany is a low maintenance dog. They are hardy and take well to both hot and cold weather. Their grooming needs consist of a quick brushing once or twice a week. Assuming they get adequate exercise, they are well mannered, quiet and obedient. They are never a real problem.

The Brittany is a versatile hunting dog. They can point, track and retrieve. They are quick and agile and love to run and hunt. They do need at least an hour of exercise daily, which should include some running and playing.

The Brittany weighs 30-40 pounds and is between 17.5- 20.5 inches tall. Their coat comes in orange and white, tricolour or liver and white. Most are born tailless, while a few are not. Those born with tails usually have them cropped to 4 inches long.

This is to prevent injury while hunting, not for cosmetic reasons.

They are a healthy breed, prone to only a few health problems. They are susceptible to hip dysplasia, epilepsy and hypothyroidism. The usual lifespan of a Brittany is between 12-14 years.

The Brittany is lovely dog, affectionate and loyal. Like all hunting dogs, they do have a bit of an independent streak. However, unlike many, it is not enough to get them into real trouble. They are an easy dog to live with and love. They make an excellent addition to an active fun loving home.