Overview
The Brittany, known in much of the world as the Épagneul Breton, is a French gun dog of spaniel type that works like a pointer. It is one of five French spaniel breeds and is prized for its ability to find, point and retrieve game.
Its keen nose, athletic build and willingness to work with people make it a favourite of hunters. Away from the field it is an affectionate, energetic companion for owners who can match its enthusiasm.
History
The breed grew up in the Brittany region of north-western France between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Tapestries and paintings from the 1600s show orange-and-white dogs of similar type hunting and retrieving game. In the mid-1800s, small bobtailed pointing dogs were described, and crossings with English Setters are thought to have shaped the modern dog.
The first Brittany was registered in France in 1907, and a standard followed the same year. The American Kennel Club accepted the breed in 1934 and dropped the word Spaniel from its name in 1982.
Appearance
The Brittany is a medium-sized, compact and slightly cobby dog with a spaniel-like head. The tail is short or absent, or sometimes of normal length and carried roughly level. Where docking is allowed it may be shortened, although docked dogs cannot be shown under FCI rules.
The American type is somewhat larger and leggier, standing about 44 to 52 cm and weighing 14 to 18 kg, with a blockier head than the French original. It is lighter than most setters but longer in leg than most spaniels.
Temperament
Brittanies are bright, cheerful and eager to please. They bond closely with their families and tend to be gentle and sensitive, responding better to encouragement than harsh correction.
They are happiest with a job and plenty of company. Without enough activity they can become restless or destructive, but with it they are affectionate, cooperative housemates.
Care and exercise
This is an energetic breed that needs vigorous daily exercise, ideally with a chance to run off lead safely and use its nose. Training, scent games and dog sports such as agility suit it well.
Grooming is simple: regular brushing, with attention to the ears, which can trap moisture and debris, and routine nail and dental care. Early socialisation and positive training help channel its drive.
Health
Brittanies are generally sturdy, with studies reporting median lifespans of roughly 11 to 13 years. Hip dysplasia occurs at a slightly higher rate than average, and glaucoma has been reported a little more often than in other breeds. Elbow dysplasia is comparatively uncommon.
