Brittany Breed Description

An Owner's Brittany Spaniel Description
When Birdie was given to me, he was a mature five-year-old retriever. He had been well trained and used primarily for pheasant hunting. It took us a few months to really feel our relationship begin to take hold between us. Birdie is such a loyal dog that I don't think he was eager or ready to forget his previous master. He was wary of my intentions, and unsure of my abilities as a hunter.

There was never any question about Birdie's ability to point and retrieve. He followed commands with all the proper restraints of a good bird dog. His original owner had seen to that, and done a tremendous job training him for the work.

Typical of sporting dogs, Birdie is a natural athlete and very energetic. He's highly intelligent and picks up new commands and tasks very quickly. A slight scolding is all that is needed to get him back on track on the rare occasions when he loses focus.

I only hunt during pheasant season, so I have to keep Birdie in shape with other things to do during all his downtime. He enjoys our family camping trips and he's great partner in all outdoor activities, including Nerf football at the neighborhood park. I always make sure that he's on my team because he is really great at snagging high passes out of the air!

Although Birdie is comfortable and well behaved in the house, he prefers the outdoors if weather permits. With our doggie door, the choice is his. Most evenings you'll find him relaxing in the porch glider, and I swear, you can see the smile on his face.

 

Introduction

Also know as the Brittany Spaniel, these dogs are a popular and affectionate companion that also hunts, points and retrieves. They are the most popular breed in their native France and the stalwart companions of hunters in Canada and the U. S These dogs are medium sized and are superb setting and flushing gun dogs They are a classic pointer The Brittany, or Brittany Spaniel, makes a trustworthy, reliable and obedient companion Their coat requires minimal grooming Colors are liver & white, tricolor and orange & white The Brittany Spaniel requires lots of exercise and is good with children They weigh 28 to 33 lbs.

History

These dogs carry the name of their geographic origin: Brittany, France. A quick look at a map will show this is a large peninsular region in the north west of the country. How they came to be is conjecture as facts are few. Brittany spaniels are seen in tapestries of the hunt, woven in the 1600s, so by that point in time they are specifically recognized. One theory supposes they were created by crossing English Setters with French Spaniels. The dogs do have traits of both and given the location of Brittany and the amount of back-and-forth between the French and English, it seems a likely hypothesis. In recognition of the setter traits of this dog, the AKC dropped the word Spaniel from the name and now refers to the breed simply as the Brittany.

General Description

Colors are tricolor, or liver or orange with white according to the US/AKC standard. Elsewhere, all colors are accepted, including black. The coat itself can be either flat or wavy. Traditionally, Brittanys have had their tail docked, but that practice is now illegal throughout the EU.

Brittanys are agile dogs that project energy and strength. They appear 'leggy' because proportionately, the dogs' height (at the shoulder) is the same as the animal's body length.

Facially, the Brittany has heavy eyebrows over soft somewhat deepset eyes. This is an evolutionary advantage for a hunter: the brows protect the eyes from foliage, and the eyes themselves have no pocket or fold to catch field debris either. Ears are short and triangular, protected by dense fur. A gradually tapering muzzle is graceful, with broad nostrils to better catch any scent. Noses are fawn, tan, browns of all shades or even deep pink. Like most bird dogs, a Brittany has dry lips so feathers don't cling and stick. Scissors bite is the norm. The overall slight looseness of the dogs' skin is also designed for the field - briars and thorns roll off rather than penetrate as a result.

Temperament

Unlike many hounds, Brittanys can do it all: they hunt, point, retrieve and excel at flushing game; in addition to those formidable skills, they make devoted family companion dogs and show animals.

Health and Care

The most important aspect of caring for a Brittany is providing enough exercise to keep the dog fit in body and mind. They are eager to please, alert by nature, and enjoy participating in just about any activity with people.

Grooming is minimal - the occasional brushing will keep the coat at its best. Nail trimming and teeth cleaning should be a regular part of the dog's grooming routine. They are minimal shedders and should be bathed only when necessary.

Colors

There are several color patterns of the Brittany. There is orange with white, liver with white, roan patterns, or tri-colored. Tri-colored dogs are described as a liver and white dog with orange markings on the eyebrows, muzzle, and cheeks.

Living Area

The Brittany is a highly energetic dog and needs plenty of exercise. Therefore it is essential for the dog to have lots of space to run. They typically do best on acreage. However, they will adjust to living in a house with a fenced yard as long as they have time to run and play daily. The Brittany cause destructively chew things when left alone for long periods of time so it can be helpful for the dog to be caged while they are home alone. The dog will adjust to this when it is started at an early age. They are highly active indoor dogs as well and therefore apartment life is not recommended. They are companion dogs and therefore it is recommended that they are purchased in pairs. Having two Brittanies, especially where they have room to play and ru,n can be helpful for maintaining the necessary level of activity.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

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