Dog Breed Guide

Britany Spaniel

Profile

Size

Medium

Country of origin

France

Origin

19th century

Bred for

Bird hunting

Height

44 - 52cm (17 - 20in)

Weight

14 - 18kg (31 - 40lb)

Life span

12 - 14 years

A hunting dog with a lean, medium-sized body and a slightly wavy coat. Colors include orange and white and liver (brown) and white, often with flecks of color in the white areas. Another characteristic is that some dogs are born with a short tail or none at all.

Bright, cheerful and very smart, the Brittany loves doing things with people. It is sensitive to its owner's feelings and takes to training well. It is affectionate with its family and plays well with children.

It is active and has very high exercise needs, so it needs plenty of running time every day. Without enough exercise, stress can make it mischievous. Brushing once or twice a week is enough to care for its coat.

Good to know

It was the hunting dog that farmers in Brittany, in northwestern France, kept for bird hunting, and its name comes from the English name for the region. In France it is called the Épagneul Breton (Breton spaniel) and is one of the most popular hunting dogs in the country.

Although the word "spaniel" was once part of its name, its way of hunting is actually closer to that of pointers and setters: it freezes on finding game and points to its location. For this reason the American Kennel Club dropped "Spaniel" from its name in 1982 and renamed it simply the Brittany.

American fanciers have long aimed to preserve it as a true dual-purpose dog, excellent both in the show ring and in the field. Indeed, the breed is known for its many dual champions, dogs that have won championships in both shows and field trials.