Brittany
Your Complete Guide to the Brittany
Brittany History: France’s Versatile Pointing Dog
The Brittany, often called the Brittany Spaniel (though the AKC standard drops “Spaniel”), originated in the Brittany region of northwestern France, likely in the 17th or 18th century. These versatile gundogs were developed by French peasants and poachers who needed a compact, agile dog capable of working closely in dense cover to find, point, and retrieve game, particularly woodcock and partridge. Their ancestry is thought to include crosses between local French spaniels and English pointing breeds, such as English Setters or Pointers, brought over by British sportsmen.
Brittanys were prized for their keen noses, bird sense, and willingness to work closely with the hunter. They are unique among spaniels in that they point game rather than just flushing it. Their compact size and natural bobtail (or docked tail in some regions historically) made them well-suited for navigating thick brush. The breed was first officially recognized in France in the early 20th century, with the first standard drawn up in 1907. Brittanys were imported to North America in the 1920s and 1930s and quickly gained popularity as both skilled hunting companions and affectionate family pets. The American Kennel Club recognized the Brittany in 1934.
Brittany Temperament: Happy, Affectionate, and Eagerly Intelligent
The Brittany is renowned for its happy, affectionate, and eager-to-please temperament. They are typically very friendly and outgoing dogs, forming strong bonds with their families and thriving on human companionship. Brittanys are known for their playful and energetic nature, often retaining a youthful exuberance throughout their lives. They are intelligent and alert, always keen to be involved in whatever their family is doing. Their sweet disposition generally makes them excellent with children and sociable with other dogs and pets, especially if raised with them and properly socialized.
As a sporting breed, they possess a keen intelligence and a strong desire to work in partnership with their owners. They are sensitive dogs and respond best to positive, gentle training methods; harsh corrections can damage their confidence. While they are alert and may bark to announce visitors, they are not typically aggressive. Their primary desire is to be an active and loved member of the family. Due to their strong attachment, they do not do well if left alone for extended periods without stimulation.
Grooming Your Brittany: Managing a Moderate Coat
The Brittany has a dense, flat or wavy single coat (no undercoat) with moderate feathering on the ears, chest, belly, and legs. Their coat is relatively easy to care for compared to some other long-haired sporting breeds but does require regular attention to keep it healthy and free from tangles.
Weekly brushing with a slicker brush or pin brush, along with a comb for the feathered areas, is usually sufficient to remove loose dead hair, prevent matting, and distribute skin oils. Brittanys are moderate shedders. Baths are needed only occasionally, as their coat tends to stay fairly clean. The feathering may require occasional trimming to keep it neat, especially around the feet. Their drop ears should be checked regularly and cleaned as needed to prevent ear infections, particularly if the dog swims frequently. Routine nail trims and dental care are also important components of their grooming regimen.
Brittany Exercise: A High-Energy Companion Needs an Outlet
Brittanys are very high-energy, athletic dogs that require a substantial amount of vigorous daily exercise to maintain their physical and mental well-being. They were bred for long days in the field and have incredible stamina. This is not a breed suited for a sedentary lifestyle or for owners who cannot provide ample opportunity for activity.
Aim for at least one to two hours of robust exercise per day. Excellent exercise options for a Brittany include:
- Long, brisk walks, jogging, or running alongside a bicycle (once fully mature and conditioned).
- Off-leash play in a large, securely fenced area where they can run freely. Their hunting instincts mean they may chase small animals or birds if not contained.
- Games of fetch or frisbee, which they typically excel at.
- Swimming, which many Brittanys enjoy.
- Canine sports such as agility, field trials, hunt tests, obedience, or flyball.
Without a sufficient outlet for their boundless energy, Brittanys can become bored, frustrated, and may develop destructive behaviors or excessive barking. They thrive in active homes where they can be a working partner or a regular participant in their family’s outdoor adventures.
Common Brittany Health Issues
Brittanys are generally a healthy and hardy breed, but like all breeds, they can be susceptible to certain genetic health conditions. Responsible breeders screen their breeding stock for these issues. Potential health concerns include:
- Hip Dysplasia: A malformation of the hip joint, common in many sporting breeds. Elbow dysplasia can also occur.
- Epilepsy: Seizure disorders can occur in some lines.
- Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland.
- Eye Conditions: Such as cataracts, glaucoma, or lens luxation. Eye certification is recommended for breeding stock.
- Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE):** An autoimmune skin condition primarily affecting the nose.
- Ear Infections:** Due to their feathered drop ears trapping moisture.
Choosing a reputable breeder who performs comprehensive health screenings (hips, elbows, eyes, thyroid, etc.) on their breeding dogs and providing regular veterinary care, a quality diet, and appropriate exercise are crucial for a Brittany’s long-term health.
Training Your Brittany: Engaging an Eager and Intelligent Partner
Training a Brittany is generally a rewarding experience as they are highly intelligent, eager to please their owners, and respond very well to positive reinforcement techniques. Their natural attentiveness and desire to work in partnership make them quick learners. However, their high energy and sometimes sensitive nature mean that training should be kept fun, engaging, and gentle.
Key aspects of training a Brittany include:
- Early Socialization: Expose your Brittany puppy to a wide variety of people, sights, sounds, and other animals from a young age to build a confident and well-adjusted adult.
- Positive Reinforcement: They thrive on praise, treats, play, and enthusiastic encouragement. Harsh methods or corrections can damage their confidence and willingness to learn.
- Keep it Fun and Varied: Their intelligence means they can get bored with overly repetitive tasks. Incorporate games and new challenges into training.
- Consistency: Clear rules and boundaries should be established and consistently enforced by all family members.
- Channeling Energy: A well-exercised Brittany is often a more focused and trainable Brittany. Ensure their exercise needs are met before training sessions.
- Recall (“Come” command): Important to train reliably, especially if they will be off-leash in safe areas, though their hunting instincts can sometimes be a distraction.
Puppy socialization classes and ongoing obedience or sports training are highly recommended. Their intelligence and athleticism make them excel in a wide range of canine activities.
Brittany FAQs
Q: Are Brittanys good family dogs?
A: Yes, Brittanys are renowned for being excellent family dogs. They are typically very affectionate, gentle, and playful with children, and usually get along well with other pets if properly socialized. Their high energy levels mean they do best with active families.
Q: Why are they sometimes called Brittany Spaniels and sometimes just Brittany?
A: Historically, they were known as Brittany Spaniels. However, their hunting style is more like that of a pointer or setter (they point game) than a typical spaniel (which flushes game). In 1982, the American Kennel Club officially dropped “Spaniel” from the breed’s name in the US, simply calling them “Brittany.” Many other countries still use “Brittany Spaniel.”
Q: Do Brittanys bark a lot?
A: Brittanys are not typically nuisance barkers but will bark to alert their owners to visitors or unusual sounds. They may also bark during play or if they are bored or not receiving enough exercise and attention.
Q: Are Brittanys born without tails?
A: Some Brittanys are born with a naturally short tail (a natural bobtail), while others are born with a longer tail that is traditionally docked to a few inches in countries where docking is permitted. The presence or length of the tail does not affect their ability or temperament.