Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Brittany is one of the most energetic breeds alive.
This dog is agile, versatile, and stylish in appearance. They are tireless and eager to enjoy indoor games all day long.
This definitely isn’t the breed for first time dog owners, and definitely isn’t for those who love spending hours inside their home. This breed will demand that you go outside and be active.
If you are not ready for that intense commitment, you may want to reconsider getting another breed, the one that matches your lifestyle and energy needs better.
Brittanys are smaller than setters but leggier than spaniels. Usually, they are standing about 20 inches at the shoulder.
This beautiful breed comes in combinations of white and vivid orange and liver (reddish-brown). These dogs are strong and rugged, while quick, soft, and clean at the same time.
Brittanys are bird-dog lovers with high-set ears making them ready for any type of action. Their eagerness can easily be channeled into dog sports.
Active Brittany will be great at agility, dock diving, and flyball – you name the dog sport and this breed will be ready to leap.
If you are up for it, this dog will be a great training material.
The grooming needs of this breed are moderate, but you should provide regular brushing and ear cleaning.
To keep this dog happy and satisfy his need for exercise, provide at least 40 minutes of activity per day.
Quick Facts
Real name: Brittany
Other names: Brittany Spaniel, Brittany Wiegref, Epagneul Breton, French Brittany
Origin: Brittany, France
Breed type: Sporting Dogs
Weight: 30 to 40 pounds
Height: 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: 10 to 13 years
Litter Size: 1 – 11 puppies
Color: Most commonly orange and white. Other color combinations include liver and white, black and white. Some may be tricolor, orange roan, liver roan, and black roan
Coat: Coat of medium length, softer on touch
Brittany History
It’s common for dogs to get their names based on the area where they originally appeared.
That may not be the case for every breed but is with popular Brittany. This breed originated in a small region of northwestern France.
Records show that this breed first appeared sometime in the 17the century when the need for hunting dogs was very high.
These mostly orange and white dogs were used for hunting and retrieving games. Even paintings from this period show this breed performing these exact tasks.
The very first written document on this breed dates from 1850. In fact, this script was written by Reverend Davies who at the time described hunting sessions with small dogs who he described as ‘bobtailed’ dogs who were great companions, very accurate at pointing, and who were beyond average retrievers.
At this time, Brittany has been bred by mating with English Setters.
As a breed, Brittany was recognized in far 1907. The very first recognized Brittany was a dog named ‘Boy.’
Boy was registered in France. That same year the standards of the breed were created and strongly followed by breeders further on.
As for the States, the AKC recognized this breed in 1934 as Brittany Species.
As of 1982, the ‘Spaniel’ was officially removed from the name and this breed is today known as simply Brittany.
Brittany Physical Appearance
Brittany is a breed easy to recognize.
Their mostly orange and whitecoat makes them easy to spot and easier to remember.
They are considered to be medium-size dogs of 17 1/2 to 20 1/2 inches tall and weigh 30 to 40 pounds.
Females are slightly smaller than males and have more elegant posture. Overall, both sexes are very athletic, energetic, and compact.
They also have floppy ears that only add to their overall soft appearance and alert look.
Any Brittany is a leggy dog of a strong body and with naturally short tails.
It’s not common for Brittanys to be born with long tails. Their color will always vary, from orange and white coats to other colors that include orange, liver, and even dark notes.
It’s not common to see Brittany with a dark brown coat. If you get to see one, know that you are seeing one of the rarest Brittany’s alive.
Brittany Personality
Brittanys are highly alert dogs.
Whenever you call them for a short play, a quick fact, or a long hike, they will be ready.
No activity is boring for this active breed, and this is something to consider when choosing a breed.
Make sure that you are truly an outdoor person yourself because Brittany will force you to spend time outdoors.
If you are more of an indoor person, who likes short walks with their Fido make sure that you choose a breed of less active needs.
Always match your dog’s energy with yours. Brittanys are people pleasers and they will do their best to please you.
As huge people-pleasers, they will respond well to commands and training.
Be careful when it comes to birds because any Brittany will chase them. They will always focus on feathered prey.
Brittanys are smart, energetic, and highly active. They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them engaged each day.
As such they are not recommended to first time dog owners, and for those who do not lead an active outdoor life already.
Bear in mind that temperament in any breed is affected by several factors, including genes, training, heredity, and socialization.
Brittany With Children And Other Pets
Brittanys are great family dogs.
If you want a dog who will get along with everyone and spend hours in the backyard showing everyone that you have a protector, this is the breed to consider having.
They love being around children, especially if children are older and of active nature. Still, children should know how to behave around dogs and what they should never do.
For example, children should know not to pull a dog’s ears or tails. They should also know why they should disturb them when they are eating, resting, drinking water, or just sleeping.
By having well-educated children on dogs and a well-trained Brittany you will put accidents to a minimum.
No matter how well they get along, you should always supervise them. As dogs with hunting genes, they love spending time with other dogs.
As for the cats, they should tolerate them if introduced at an early age.
Brittany Training
Training should start as soon as you bring your Brittany home.
Training sessions should be consistent, fun, short, and well-structured. Of course, there should be treats as well.
Dogs thrive on positive reinforcement methods and rewards. Petting on the head is fine, but treats are even better.
Always reward your Fido. Provided training toys, mentally challenging games such as puzzle toys for indoor moments.
Learn indoor games for dogs, and provide additional exercise next to regular walks.
If you are passionate about dog training, think about dog sports such as agility or obedience.
For faster training think about puppy classes, or hiring a professional dog trainer.
Brittany Exercise
Brittanys are packed with boundless energy that should be directed well, or you will end up having a destructive dog.
Have you heard of that saying – a good dog is a tired dog? Dogs love when there is a job to be done. They love pleasing, and any type of work should keep them happy and engaging.
So… How much exercise do they need? To keep this breed active and happy, and their joints strong, you should provide at least one hour of intense exercise every day.
This is next to regular walks, of course. Since they are high-energy dogs who love people, they do best with in active families.
Brittany Grooming
Grooming is a big part of dog care.
Keeping a dog without brushing him weekly, trimming his nails, and cleaning his ears is like not having responsibility.
Dogs come with a long list of obligations that should be performed daily. Some tasks are daily duties, while some tasks should be performed on a monthly level or even further.
For example, parasite control is something that is performed every three months, bathing is an occasional thing, while nail trimming or grinding is monthly duty.
If you are not a fan of heavy brushing, you are in luck. Brittanys aren’t heavily coated dogs. This means that a weekly brushing should be enough to keep his coat clean, shiny, and healthy.
Brush your Brittany two to three times per week with the right brushing tools.
Bathe your Brittany only when needed and with a shampoo specially designed for dogs.
The rest is basic care:
- Check eyes for any eye discharge
- Check gums weekly
- Bathe only when needed
- Brush teeth if veterinarian recommends it
Brittany Health
Brittanys are considered to be healthy dogs.
They may be prone to certain conditions over time, due to several factors. For example, if you serve poor-quality food and serve your Brittany a lot of treats it’s only expected that your dog will gain extra pounds over time.
Obesity in dogs is a rising issue across the States, and you don’t want your Fido to be part of this trend.
Dogs can lose weight, but the overall process of weight loss will be long, time and energy-consuming, and often very expensive.
If you manage to find a good and responsible dog breeder you should get a healthy dog.
Responsible breeders will screen puppies for the most common health issues and present medical documentation on the dog.
Plus, they will inform you about possible health issues that they or may not appear, and give you tips on how to groom, feed, and exercise your Brittan.
Responsible and reputable breeders will never give you a dog unless they see you as a really good fit for their puppy or puppies.
Some of the health issues that may appear in this breed include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
Is Brittany For You?
Brittanys arent a great choice for first time dog owners, or for those who prefer to be indoors.
These dogs are highly recommended to experienced dog owners, who know their way around active dogs. On top of that, they should be huge outdoor lovers and active people on a daily level.
This doesn’t mean that they should be away from home the majority of the day, but that they should enjoy running, hiking, or training dogs for specific dog sports, such as agility.
That being said, this breed isn’t for you if you don’t want a dog who is:
- Hyperactive
- Tends to suffer from separation anxiety
- Sniffs all day long
- Can be scared of people
- Requires regular brushing
- Sheds a bit
- Can urinate when nervous
On the other hand, if you are ok with these traits and you know how to handle them and to train Brittany the best way possible, you might think about welcoming this breed.
If all of this is something that you are comfortable with, and you want a dog who is:
- Athletic
- Of medium-size
- Powerful, but extremely agile
- Loves intense exercise
- Enjoys every outdoor activity
- Is great when it comes to making new friends, both in the human and animal world
- Loves other dogs
- Is willing to please
In that case, a Brittany may be right for you.
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