Sportsmen on both sides of the Atlantic cherish the agile, energetic Brittany as a stylish and versatile gundog. Bright and eager at home and tireless afield, Brittanys require a lot of exercise, preferably with their favorite humans. A member of the Sporting Group, these stylish, energetic gundogs are joyful, bright, and eager — highly intelligent and willing to please, with a softness in their faces that's much admired.
The Brittany is a compact, closely knit dog of medium size — a leggy dog having the appearance, as well as the agility, of a great ground coverer. Strong, vigorous, energetic, and quick of movement, with ruggedness without clumsiness, it is considered an ideal gun dog, easily trained and an active worker. The agile Brittany is smaller than setters but has longer legs than spaniels.
From French Spaniels and English Setters
In the mid-1800s, French sportsmen in the Bretagne region of France crossed spaniels with setters from England. In France the breed carries the name Epagneul Breton — the Brittany Spaniel — and was founded on a breed of spaniel found in Northern France known locally as "Le Fougere." To this foundation was added some English Setter and Pointer blood to give scenting and pointing qualities. The result was the Brittany — a short-backed, cobby dog capable of flushing, pointing, and retrieving, a true hunt-point-retrieve breed.
The resulting dogs were excellent woodcock dogs, both pointing and retrieving. Not only were they popular with the gentry, but poachers liked them because they were obedient and versatile. The breed is often, but not always, naturally bob-tailed — the first breed club in France, founded in 1907, was named the Club of the Naturally Short-Tailed Brittany.
The Brittany came to North America around 1925. Sportsmen initially had a hard time accepting them because of their short tails, but their field trial abilities soon put an end to any problems of acceptance — the dogs were so good at field trials that they became the most popular pointing dog at competitive events. The AKC recognized them as the Brittany spaniel in 1934, and in 1982 the name was changed to simply Brittany, because the dog's hunting style is more setter-like than spaniel-like — it is a pointing dog, not a flushing dog.
Compact, Leggy, and Agile
The Brittany is a compact, closely knit dog of medium size, standing 17.5 to 20.5 inches at the shoulders and weighing 30 to 40 pounds. So leggy is he that his height at the shoulders is the same as the length of his body. Strong, vigorous, energetic, and quick of movement, he combines ruggedness without clumsiness, and can be tailless or have a tail docked to approximately four inches.
The coat is flat, with a small amount of feathering on the ears, underside, and legs, in a combination of white with bright orange or liver (a reddish-brown). The expression is alert and eager, but with the soft expression of a bird dog. Brittanys are strong birders — and their short, patterned coat is one of the breed's trademarks.
Happy, Alert, and Affectionate
The Brittany has a happy, alert temperament — neither mean nor shy. A joyful, bright, and eager breed, it is highly intelligent and willing to please its owners. These obedient workers make exceptional hunting partners, hiking companions, or teammates for dog sports — an incredibly versatile breed.
Brittanys are devoted to their families and quite affectionate. They're gentle by nature, tend to be patient with children, and have plenty of energy to keep up with active kids. These are people dogs — they adore their families and want to be around them as much as possible, thriving on companionship and activities with the ones they love.
Exercise and Activity
Brittanys are high-energy dogs bred to hunt, requiring plenty of exercise — two hours or more per day is ideal. Activities that occupy both the dog's body and mind are the best ways to channel their tireless nature. They make great companions for long walks, hikes, runs, and participating in hunting or dog sports.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
The breed is an excellent candidate for dog sports like obedience, agility, and flyball, and makes a fairly calm housedog if given adequate exercise. Brittanys aren't very vocal, but they'll let you know when they need an activity or attention. The breed isn't for lazy people. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for exercising an energetic gundog.
Training a Brittany
Brittanys are a bright breed, generally ready and willing to work with their owners. They respond best to patient, encouraging training methods — reward-based training involving food is especially effective. They are eager to please and quick to learn, overall a biddable breed, though somewhat independent.
Early socialization and puppy training classes are highly recommended to ensure a Brittany grows into a well-adjusted adult, open to new people and other pets. Obedience training is essential not only for control, but for the mental exercise it provides. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Brittany
The Brittany's coat is of medium length, either flat or wavy, and needs brushing and combing one or two times a week. Shedding is average. The feathering on ears, underside, and legs benefits from regular attention.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 2–3 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning (the feathered ears need regular checks), and tooth brushing. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a gundog coat.
Feeding a Brittany
As a medium-sized, high-energy sporting breed, the Brittany needs a high-quality, complete and balanced diet. Brittanys tend to stay in good weight or to be slightly overweight — adult dogs should be fed a balanced diet, with restricted calories if the dog starts to gain too much weight.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1/2–1 cup | Use a good-quality puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1–1.25 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Puppies should be fed a balanced puppy food, and dietary needs change through life. Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Brittany has a lifespan of 12 to 13 years. The breed is generally healthy, but like all breeds, it is prone to certain conditions, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, and eye problems. Responsible breeders screen for these conditions.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Eye and ear health checks | Discuss with your vet | Part of the annual vet review |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
The Brittany is an energetic and adventurous companion, very good with children, and gets along well with other pets and dogs. Very outgoing toward strangers, this people dog thrives in active families that welcome it into daily life.
A Brittany is a good candidate for dog parks and enjoys retrieving and swimming. If you and your family lead an active lifestyle and want a companion for your outdoor adventures, a Brittany would be a good fit. If you're weighing whether a Brittany fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Brittany means committing to a high-energy gundog that needs two hours or more of daily exercise plus mental stimulation — a bored Brittany will act out. The breed needs frequent companionship and does best with an active family that includes it in outdoor adventures. The feathered coat needs weekly brushing.
Yet for the right owner, the Brittany is a joy — a joyful, bright, eager companion that is tireless in the field and affectionate at home. From the woodcock forests of 19th-century Bretagne to modern dog parks, the stylish French gundog remains a versatile, devoted, and endlessly energetic friend.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Joyful, bright, and eager
- Excellent with children
- Highly trainable and biddable
- Versatile hunting and sporting dog
- Outgoing and friendly with strangers
- Fairly calm housedog with exercise
Disadvantages
- High energy; needs 2+ hours daily exercise
- Needs frequent companionship
- Somewhat independent
- Not suited to sedentary households
- Requires weekly coat brushing
- Needs plenty of mental stimulation
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Brittanys get? They stand 17.5–20.5 inches and weigh 30–40 pounds.
How long do Brittanys live? Typically 12 to 13 years.
Are Brittanys good family dogs? Yes — they're affectionate, gentle, and patient with children.
Are Brittanys easy to train? Yes — they're bright, biddable, and eager to please.
Are Brittanys good with other pets? Yes — they get along well with other dogs and pets.
Are Brittanys good apartment dogs? They need lots of exercise — best with space and activity.
Are Brittanys good hunting dogs? Excellent — they point, flush, and retrieve game.
Do Brittanys bark a lot? No — they're not very vocal, but they'll ask for attention.
Are Brittanys good for first-time owners? Their energy suits active owners willing to train.
Are Brittanys naturally tailless? Often — the breed is known for naturally short or absent tails.
Are Brittanys called Brittany spaniels? They were once; the name changed to Brittany in 1982.
What health problems do Brittanys have? Hip/elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, and eye problems are main concerns.