Brittanys were developed to be gundogs, and they
have a strong affinity for birds. The American Kennel Club eliminated the term
"spaniel" from the name of this pointing breed in 1982, despite the
fact that they are often known as Brittany Spaniels.
These active dogs are excellent family pets and
hunting dogs, working more closely with hunters than other pointing breeds.
This breed may be right for you if you can meet their high activity and
exercise requirements.
This dog bed is recommended by DogTime for a nice
night's sleep for your medium-sized Brittany. For any outdoor trips you have
with your dog, you should also pick up this dog water bottle!
Brittany Highlights
Breed Size
Medium
Nature
Gentle, Friendly, Playful, Outgoing, Willful
Energy Level
Hyper
Intelligence
High
Barking Level
When Necessary
Coat Length
Short, Medium, carly
Breed Group
Gundog
Droll Amount
Low
Good with
Seniors, Cats, Dogs, Children, Familes
Feed Level
Medium, High
Colour Type
Bicolor,flecked / ticked / speckled,tricolor,spotted
Other Facts
Easy to train,easy to groom,good hiking companion,high prey drive,hot weather tolerant.
Dog History
The Celtic region of northwest France that was
formerly an autonomous monarchy bears the name Brittany. Brittany is located
only across the English Channel from Wales, and the two nations have traded for
well over a thousand years, with dogs undoubtedly being a part of that trade.
The Brittany and the Welsh Springer Spaniel shared common forebears, as seen by
their coloration as well as other physical traits.
The first visual evidence of Brittany-type dogs
is from the 17th century, in the form of paintings and tapestries. They feature
a partridge-pointing liver and white dog. Pontou, a tiny hamlet in Brittany,
was where modern Brittanys began to take shape in the mid-1800s. They are
supposed to be the offspring of a cross between a white and mahogany female
owned by a French hunter and a lemon and white male brought to Brittany by an
English sportsmen for shooting. One of the two puppies they produced was deemed
to have the necessary hunting aptitude and went on to become a well-known stud
in the region. As a result, bob-tailed dogs that could point and retrieve were
created. Local poachers reportedly admired them for their speed, agility, and
willingness to take risks.
Dog shows grew popular in the United Kingdom and
other countries of Europe at the same period, including, of course, France.
Brittanys were recognised as a breed in France in 1907, and they transferred
easily from the field to the show ring. Boy, an orange and white dog, was the
first French Brittany to be registered in that nation.
Brittanys didn't arrive in the United States
until 1931, but once they arrived, they quickly became popular. In 1934, Edir
du Mesnil became the first Brittany to be registered with the American Kennel
Club. In 1942, the American Brittany Club was founded, and they altered the
French standard to fit their needs.
Brittanys, like many other breeds, suffered a
fall as a result of World War II. During this period, breeding of Brittanys in
France came to a standstill. Because the gene pool in Europe was so reduced
after the war, French breeders opted to include black spotted puppies into the
standard. Breeders in the United States did not follow suit. Black is still not
an approved colour for Brittanys in the United States and Canada, but it is in
all other nations.
Many breeders have argued for years that the term
"spaniel" should be removed from the breed's name because Brittanys
are pointing dogs, not flushing dogs like spaniels. The AKC Board of Directors
authorised altering the name to Brittany in April 1982, removing the term
"spaniel" from the name.However, in certain places, they are still
known as Brittany Spaniels. The Brittany is now ranked 31st of of 155 breeds
and variations recognised with the AKC.
18-22 inch 18-25 kg 13-15 yearHeight
Weight
Life Span
Health and Care
Brittanys are typically healthy, however they are
susceptible to some health issues, as are all breeds. Although not all
Brittanys will contract one or more of these diseases, it's vital to be aware
of them if you're thinking of getting one.
Find a reliable breeder who will show you health
clearances for both your dog's parents if you're buying a puppy. Health
clearances demonstrate that a dog has been checked for and cleared of a certain
disease. Health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for
hip dysplasia (with a score of fair or better), elbow dysplasia,
hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand's disease; thrombopathia from Auburn
University; and normal eyes from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF)
should all be expected in Brittanys.
- Hip Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
Care
Brittanys are busy both inside and outside the
house. They thrive in vast yards or, better still, acres where they can expend
some of their pent-up energy. Unless you have the time and devotion to offer
them with the amount and type of exercise they require, they aren't best suited
to apartment or city life. When hunting, this breed is immune to cold and damp
circumstances, but they should be kept indoors with the people they care about.
When they aren't being supervised, they should be kept to a securely fenced
yard, just like any other dog.
Puppies under the age of two should be exercised
for no more than half an hour at a time. Their joints, as well as their motor
coordination and capacity to focus, aren't entirely formed. When your Brittany
puppy appears weary or unenthusiastic, take a break from training, play, or any
other activity.
Brittanys like running in large open spaces. It's
critical to instil in them the ability to respond when called. Firmly and
consistently train them, but never harshly. Often, a harsh word is all that is
required to put an end to any misconduct.
Brittanys, like any other dog, may be destructive
as pups. If their requirements for mental and physical challenges aren't
addressed as adults, they might be destructive. Exercise and training will keep
them engaged, and cage pups will keep them from getting into mischief if you're
not there to oversee them.
Dog Breed Care Tips and
Important Instructions
It's all natural when it comes to Brittany's
attractiveness (as in, they have minimal grooming needs). However, just because
they're low-maintenance doesn't imply they're hypoallergenic; while they don't
have a thick coat of fur, they do shed on a regular basis.
A weekly brushing can help reduce shedding, but
you should also examine them after they've gone jumping through the bushes for
ticks, burrs, mats, and any scratches or abrasions. Brushing them before going
for a stroll in the woods may also help avoid a few burrs from adhering. Bathe
them just when they're dirty, and clip their nails as needed (if you hear them
clicking on the floor, it's a sign that their nails need to be trimmed).
The most crucial aspects of teaching the delicate
Brittany are consistency and gentleness; harsh words may destroy her precious
spirit, so use positive reinforcement like as food, toys, playing, and
affection to reward her. Brittanys are eager and bright, so this won't be a
difficult assignment for you—these inquiring dogs are fast to pick up new
commands and remember what they've learned from one training session to the
next. Staying ahead of a Brittany's learning curve may be the most difficult
aspect of training her!
Feeding
1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food each day,
split into two meals, is the recommended daily quantity.
The amount of food your adult dog consumes is
determined by his size, age, build, metabolism, and degree of activity. Dogs,
like people, are unique individuals that require different amounts of food. It
practically goes without saying that a dog that is very active will require
more than a dog who is sedentary. The type of dog food you buy makes a
difference as well; the better the dog food, the more it will nourish your dog
and the less you'll have to shake into his bowl.
Rather of putting food out all the time, measure
his food and feed him twice a day to keep your Brittany in good form. Give him
the eye and hands-on tests if you're not sure if he's overweight. Look down at
him first. There should be a waist visible. Then, with your thumbs down his
spine and fingers stretched downward, place your hands on his back. Without
pressing too much, you should be able to feel but not see his ribs. If you
can't, he'll need to eat less and exercise more.
Fun Facts
Despite never winning Best in Show at the
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the Brittany boasts more dual champions (dogs
who have won championships in both conformation and field) than any other
sports breed.
During World War II, the population of Brittany
fell as breeding in France came to a standstill. Following WWII, French
breeders relaxed their rules to enable black-spotted dogs to contribute to the
replenishment of Europe's gene pool. One of the most noticeable distinctions
between the breed standards in the United States and Canada and those in other
nations is the colour black.
Due to a dominant characteristic that is
difficult to breed for, some Brittanys are born tailless. According to Paw
Print Genetics, a tailless puppy is born when an embryo obtains the dominant
tailless chromosome from one parent; however, any embryo receiving the tailless
chromosome from both parents is reabsorbed into the bloodstream. If both
parents pass on the recessive long-tail gene to an embryo, the puppy will be
born with a long tail.
Home Training Tips and General
Information
A Brittany may be potty trained at any age, but
the optimum time to start is between the ages of 8 and 12. If you start a
house-training routine as soon as you bring your Brittany puppy home, he will
ultimately figure out where he has to go. When it comes to toilet training a
Brittany puppy, a cage is a fantastic option. When there is no monitoring, it
keeps him contained, and many pet Brittanys quickly learn that if they go in
their cage, they must sit in it. The majority of dogs are quite sanitary and
will not appreciate sitting in dog doody or urine.
- Love is all a dog requires.
- One of the most prevalent dog claims I hear as a
canine behavioural consultant is that all a dog requires is love. Is that
correct or incorrect? You might be surprised by my response!
- There are four things you must do correctly.
- It doesn't have to be difficult to train your
Brittany puppy. You can influence your puppy's behaviour and make training
easier right now by doing four simple things.
- What Should You Teach? (and When)
- Dog training begins the minute your puppy arrives
at your home. If you utilise the incorrect training approach, your puppy will
begin to make decisions about how he wants you to fit into his life, which will
lead to conflict and behavioural issues. You must respond appropriately to
anything your puppy does, or he will learn the incorrect things. Here is my
suggested training schedule (what to teach and when to teach it) for your
Brittany puppy.
- Teach your Brittany to be respectful to you.
- I utilise and suggest "Respect
Training" as a dog training approach for Brittany Spaniels. When you say
"No," a dog who respects you will stop what he's doing and do what
you say. Instilling respect in your dog means interacting with him in different
ways.
- Solving Behavioural Issues
- "How can I stop my dog from doing (a
specific harmful behaviour)?" is one of the most often asked queries by
dog owners. Whatever the infraction, my response is usually always the same.
- Teach The Correct Words In The Correct Context
- My training approach for Brittany Spaniels
includes teaching certain phrases in precise ways so that your dog not only
learns the words but also develops the respectful attitude that motivates him
to obey you. Teach your dog to comprehend what you're saying by teaching him
words. Teach those words correctly, and he'll actually do what you say.
- Brittany, I'm breaking into your house.
- There are two essentials to breaking into a
house. There are only two, but you must get them both correct. And I don't mean
50 percent correct; I mean 100 percent correct. Otherwise, you'll wind up with
a dog that is only 50% toilet trained, which no one wants. So there you have it
— your two housebreaking keys.
- Getting to Know Your Brittany
- Socializing your Brittany entails teaching her
how to interact respectfully with visitors and other animals.
FAQS
Is it simple to train Brittanys? |
The Brittany is a breed that is clever, easy to teach, and social. They
get along well with other pets and are friendly with houseguests. Brittanys
adore humans and are happiest when they are able to spend time with their
families at home. |
Can a Brittany spaniel be left alone for an extended period of time? |
If you haven't trained your Brittany Spaniel to be left alone, you should
only leave them for 30 minutes at a time, especially if you don't have a
regular routine. If you leave an untrained Brittany Spaniel with separation
anxiety, it may engage in destructive activities like chewing and digging. |
I'm not sure if I want a male or female Brittany. |
Female Brittanys are often preferred by hunters as companions. When
assigned a task, female Brittanys are less hyperactive and more concentrated.
They're also less sedentary and more enthusiastic about their work. Because
male Brittanys are indolent and prefer to be lapdogs, they make better
companion dogs than hunting dogs. |
Is it possible to have a Brittany as a house dog? |
For the proper household, Brittanys are excellent family dogs. Brittanys
are ideal companions because of their joie de vivre and connection to their
owners. They're doting, kind, and gentle in the house if they get enough
exercise. |
Is it true that Brittany spaniels enjoy cuddling? |
The Brittany spaniel is a sweet and friendly breed that loves to spend
time with its owners. |
What kind of exercise does a Brittany dog require? |
They require at least an hour of vigorous activity every day. Your
Brittany may become neurotic and destructive if she doesn't get enough
exercise. Brittanys are intelligent creatures who require both mental and
physical stimulus. Dog sports training is an excellent approach to do so. |
Why should you avoid getting a Brittany spaniel? |
THE BRITTANIES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE. They may make wonderful
family dogs and excel in a variety of areas, but they require daily care,
training, and most do not make acceptable "kennel" or outdoor dogs
due to their personal commitment to their owners (s). |
Brittany Unique Name
Male Name | Female Name |
---|---|
Bentley | Ashley |
Bruno | Brownie |
Bubba | Daphne |
Champ | Emma |
Clyde | Fiona |
Gage | Grace |
v | Kayla |
Griffin | Kelsey |
Milo | London |
Morrisc | Nola |
Norm | Paisley |
Oliver | Sage |
Otis | Brodie |
Sarge | Cali |
Scout | Carley |
Tyler | Casper |
Tyson | Cassis |
Cosmo | Cherokee |
T-bone | KC |
Turbo | Lucy |