Brittany Spaniel is a French breed is derived from crossing French spaniels with English Setters. Showing traits of both spaniels and setters, the breed hunts more like a setter, so the name was officially changed with the American Kennel Club in 1982.
The Brittany Spaniel is a medium-sized dog standing 17.5 to 20.5 inches tall and weighing between 30 and 40 pounds. Her body length is equal to her height at the shoulders. The eyes are expressive, and the ears are dropped but not pendulous. The tail can be naturally bobbed, nonexistent, or docked to 4 inches in length.
The Brittany Spaniel coat is medium in length, flat or wavy but never curly, and orange and white or liver and white in color. The Brittany Spaniel’s coat needs twice weekly brushing and combing. It can mat, but that can be prevented with regular grooming. This is a high-energy breed.
Bred to work all day in the field, the Brittany Spaniel needs regular aerobic exercise. She will enjoy long walks, a jog with you, or a run alongside a bicycle. Many Brittany owners have also found their breed to be enthusiastic about dog sports, including agility and flyball. A Brittany Spaniel who doesn’t get enough exercise will amuse herself, much to her owner’s dismay.
The Brittany Spaniel is a friendly dog who will enjoy the socialization of a puppy class. Early training will teach the Brittany Spaniel household rules, but training should continue into adulthood. This intelligent breed will thrive with fun yet challenging training. The Brittany Spaniel is still a versatile hunter and is one of the most popular hunting breeds.
If not hunting, the Brittany Spaniel needs an active owner who will spend time with her. Puppies and young dogs can be too rowdy for small kids, but adult dogs are playful and patient. Most are good with other dogs and pets. Health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, heart defects, epilepsy, and eye problems.
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The Brittany Spaniel loves an athletic lifestyle of hiking, biking, running, and ball playing. If left alone too much and not given outlets for his energy, you’re likely to see hyperactivity and destructive chewing.
When well socialized, most Brittany Spaniels are polite and gentle with everyone and peaceful with other animals. There is timidity and excessive submissiveness in some lines, so early socialization is a must to promote a confident temperament.
Most Brittanys are sensitive, rather “soft” dogs, willing to please and responsive to a calm voice and a light hand on the leash. The Brittany does not do well in an environment with frequent tension or loud voices.
When excited or nervous, some Brittanys are prone to submissive urination (sudden wetting), while others whine persistently.
I have a brittany spaniel. When I was about 13 I became good friends with a girl whos Mom was a breeder of these dogs. Man, were some of them smart, she had one of the first dual bench/field champs! I really liked those dogs, so years later when my husband and I were looking to get a new family member after loosing our cocker of many years, I called my friend’s mom. She got us in contact with the IL brittany rescue. Went and fell in love with a little 16 wk old boy, named him Reggie ( after Reggie White, of the Green Bay Packers) . There started a so far 9 yr journey in his life.
He is a really good boy, our daughter can do just about anything to him and he doesn’t complain. But, man does he bark and bark. His worst habit! And since summer is coming, I’m sure he’ll be afraid of the garden hose again, because you know how scary they can be.