Meet the Brittany

Best Fur Friend

Best Fur Friend

High Doggy I.Q.

High Doggy I.Q.

Top Working Dog

Top Working Dog

If you’re an active person who loves spending time outdoors, I’m the breed for you! We Brittanys are hunting dogs with tons of energy and thrive when we have a job to do. You don’t need to be a hunter, though – I also love hikes and runs, and I’m great at dog sports like agility, dock diving, and flyball! My big personality doesn’t mesh with apartment living as I need outdoor space to get my energy out, and I shouldn’t be left alone all day as I can get anxious and destructive when I’m bored. I’m super smart and eager to please so training is fun for me, but I’m a sensitive soul so positive reinforcement is best. I’m just as filled with love as I am with energy and I get along with kids and larger pets, but keep me away from birds and small animals – a strong prey drive is in my DNA! I can get a bit rambunctious, so if you’ve got little kids, you should supervise our play. While my exercise needs are high, my grooming needs are not – I only need weekly brushing to keep me looking furbulous!
关于我

Personality

Energetic

Loving

Smart

Group

Sporting Group

Origin

France

Life Span

12-14 years

Breed Popularity

#28 of 195

Height Range

17.5-20.5 Inches

Weight Range

30-40 Lbs

Coat Details

Type

Short

Texture

Flat or Wavy

Features

Double Coat; Feathering on ears and legs

Colors

Liver & White; Liver Roan; Orange & White; Orange Roan; White & Liver; White

Hypoallergenic

Cost to Buy

$500-$1,060

Lifetime Care Cost

$20,465

My Many Looks

My Many Looks

My Breed Characteristics

My Breed Characteristics

Training Ability:
Intelligence:
Exercise Needs:
Health Issues:
Affection Level:
Grooming Effort:
Pet-Friendly:
Shedding:
Kid-Friendly:
Barking:
Furbulous Fact

Furbulous Fact

We Brittanys are so much more than just friendly, fun-loving family dogs – we are also champions in the show ring! Brittany dogs have won more AKC Dual Championship titles than any other breed. In order to win a Dual Championship, we have to win both a conformation title and a field trials title. Conformation is a competition where the winning dog is the best representation of their specific breed, and field trials test our specific breed skills. Since we Brittanys are a pointing breed, we are tested on our bird dog skills in the field. With so many titles under our belt, it’s clear that our hunting dog DNA is still strong!
As I Grow Up

As I Grow Up

History of My Breed

History of My Breed

We Brittanys were bred to be the most versatile gun dogs around. Our name comes from Brittany, the northwest region of France across the English Channel from Wales. The earliest evidence of my ancestors comes from 17th century paintings and tapestries, but it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that my breed really started to come into its own. While my exact breed ancestry is unknown, my closest ancestors are English Setters, Welsh Springer Spaniels, and French Spaniels. The first modern Brittanys were bred in Pontou, France. The English travelled to Pontou to hunt, bringing their furry companions along with them. One of the first modern Brittanys was a cross between a French hunting dog and an English hunting dog. One of the pups from this litter turned out to be one of the most skilled gun dogs anyone had ever seen, and they used him to start my breed! Because we were so skilled, we were very popular with poachers in the region. Although our specialty is birds, we can hunt any kind of small
Care Tips

Care Tips

from Dr. Jessica Greenberg, Associate Veterinarian
1

Purchase from a responsible breeder.

While Brittanys can be very healthy, this breed is susceptible to certain heritable disorders like luxating patellas and hip and elbow dysplasia, all of which can cause pain and loss of mobility. Brittanys are also predisposed to heritable thyroid issues and certain eye problems. Avoid heartbreak and expenses by purchasing puppies from responsible breeders who provide health guarantees and require OFA or PennHip certification, and eye clearance from CERF. It’s also recommended to buy a puppy from a breeder who temperament tests dogs through the American Temperament Test Society.

2

Inspect their ears regularly.

Brittanys are prone to ear infections due to the pendulous nature of their ears. Some Brittanys also have problems with skin allergies that can result in ear infections. Inspect your dog’s ears regularly, and if any signs of infection are noted (redness, odor, discharge, excessive scratching or rubbing of ears) call your veterinarian. Place cotton balls in your dog’s ears during baths to prevent the ears from getting wet. If your Brittany’s ears get wet, instill a couple of drops of 1:1 solution of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar to dry and acidify the ears.

3

Brush their teeth regularly.

Like all dogs, Brittanys can suffer from plaque, tartar, dental disease, and bad breath. Prevent dental disease by brushing your dog’s teeth several times a week (preferably a minimum of every 72 hours), and if your dog has dental disease, schedule a dental cleaning with your local veterinarian.

Training Tips

Training Tips

from Dr. Jessica Greenberg, Associate Veterinarian
1

Manage their energy.

Brittanys have a ton of energy, so if they aren’t staying active, they can exhibit destructive behaviors. This quick-witted breed needs plenty of exercise, play time, and learning to keep their bodies and minds engaged. Doing so will keep them happy and prevent acting out.

2

Watch the predatory drive.

Birders and hunters by nature, Brittanys can have excess predatory drive that, in some circumstances, translates to other dogs. Though usually polite – even submissive – you don’t want their hunter nature to express itself destructively. If your Brittany is meant to be a pet and not a hunting dog, make sure that you interrupt their predatory behavior. If you see them start to stare at a bird or a squirrel, snap them out of it. Make sure they get plenty of play with a ball or chew toy to safely exercise those instincts.

3

Introduce them to new friends!

Despite their predatory nature, Brittanys do very well with dogs and people when they’re exposed often. Introduce them to new friends as often as possible, and be sure to give them their favorite treat after a pleasant encounter. In general, socialization helps reduce their anxiety and keeps them happy and healthy.

关于我
  • Personality

    Energetic

    Loving

    Smart

  • Group

    Sporting Group

  • Origin

    France

  • Life Span

    12-14 years

  • Breed Popularity

    #28 of 195

  • Height Range

    17.5-20.5 Inches

  • Weight Range

    30-40 Lbs

  • 动物皮毛

    Type

    Short

    Texture

    Flat or Wavy

    Features

    Double Coat; Feathering on ears and legs

    Colors

    Liver & White; Liver Roan; Orange & White; Orange Roan; White & Liver; White

  • Hypoallergenic

  • Cost to Buy

    $500-$1,060

  • Lifetime Care Cost

    $20,465