Brittany Dog Breed

AKC Dog Breeds: Brittany

As dog owners and people who care deeply for animals and wildlife, we wanted our Dog Encyclopedia to be a website that could empower pet owners to create the most positive, loving environment for their dogs. Dog Encyclopedia realizes that owning a dog is like adding a new member to your family.

Sporting Group
Height: 17-22 inches Weight: 30-40 pounds Color: orange or liver w/ white, tricolor

The Brittany is a medium-sized, leggy, dual-purpose dog, equally suited for sport and companionship. The origin of the Brittany is somewhat unknown. There is speculation of it being the cross of an Orange and White Setter and some not clearly identified French dog. The dog is suggested to have originated in the French province of Brittany. Originally called the Brittany Spaniel, it is now referred to simply as the Brittany, as its hunting style more closely resembles that of pointing breeds. The Brittany was first shown in 1896. It is one of the most popular pointing dogs for bird hunting. It is considered to be the smallest of the gun dogs. The Brittany to this day is still used widely for its work as a hunting and gun dog. This breed was registered with the AKC in 1934.

General Appearance
The Brittany is a hearty, vigorous, medium-sized, closely knit, leggy dog with a fairly short, lightly feathered single coat. He is very agile and active with an intelligent-looking face. The eyes are amber or hazel, depending on the coat color. It has a rounded skull of medium-length with a straight or slightly ram-shaped muzzle, a pronounced stop, and a nose that is more or less dark depending on the color of its coat. The nose may not be black. The ears are short, with high withers. The high-set ears are rather short in a triangular shape, slightly fringed and hanging close to the head. The tail is either naturally short or docked to less than four inches

Temperament
A loyal, dedicated, cheerful, and eager dog, the Brittany is a dog that loves to play and exercise, and has plenty of energy. The Brittany is not a dog for everyone. They tend to become hyperactive and experience separation anxiety when left alone. This can make them destructive around the home. They also tend to whine and bark excessively when excited or stressed. They are very inquisitive and enjoy sniffing and therefore will follow their nose until they are completely out of sight. The Brittany loves people and attention, and it is important not to neglect these dogs, as boredom can soon lead to destructive behavior. These sensitive dogs are always eager to please their owners, but are also independent, spirited, and fun loving creatures that love to join in with the fun and the action. When it comes to children the Brittany is a gentle and stable creature that gets on well with youngsters, and also gets on well with other animals, although as with all dogs it is important that you socialize them early on. With strangers some can be quite timid. Their love and protective streak for their family makes them effective watchdogs, and they will bark to sound an alarm should anything seem amiss.

Grooming
The medium length flat coat needs to be brushed on a regular basis to keep it in good condition. Brushing should be done twice weekly. The Brittany is light shedder. Regular bathing is necessary for the Brittany as well. The dog should be washed with a specialty dog shampoo. It is important to avoid using human shampoo or liquid soap because this causes skin irritation. Bathing should occur about once a month or whenever necessary. If the dog is being used for hunting or spends a lot of time out in the brush, it is important to check the ears thoroughly for matter or debris.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The Brittany is generally a healthy breed. Some are prone to hip dysplasia and seizures. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.

Activity Level
The Brittany is not recommended for apartment life. They are very active indoors and will do best with acreage. This breed is resistant to cold and damp conditions. The Brittany is strong, quick and agile, requiring exercise and activity to occupy his body and mind. Brittany is a highly energetic dog and needs a high level of activity. It is essential that the dog gets daily activity consisting of running, walking, or biking. They also love to be in the water. They are the perfect pet for a very energetic person or family. They are also the perfect pet for a hunter who can have the dog for its working purpose. The Brittany adapts to different terrain consisting of hills, woods, or plains. This allows them to go on family outings or hikes and because of their endurance they can keep up easily. However, they are resistant to the cold and damp conditions. One of its favorite things to do is retrieve things from the water. This makes them an excellent dog to take to the lake on family outings. Their history as a gun and hunting dog and their love for the water makes them excellent fetching dogs. Fetching in water is a great way for the Brittany to get its exercise.

Search:

Dog Breeds:

Dog Encyclopedia has added beautiful dog photographs on each of our Dog Breed pages to enhance your experience. Each section in Dog Encyclopedia helps to educate pet owners, enabling both the dog, and the owner to have a safe, high quality experience