Brittany

Origin & history

The Brittany takes its name from the Brittany region of north-western France, where it developed in the 1800s as a versatile gundog for the ordinary hunter, a dog that could find, point and retrieve game birds and work close to a person on foot. It was bred for ability rather than show, which is why it stayed a practical, medium-sized, hard-working dog. The breed was recognised in France in the early twentieth century and spread widely, becoming very popular as both a hunting dog and a companion in North America, where it was for a long time officially called the Brittany Spaniel before the spaniel part was dropped to reflect its pointing style. In Australia the Brittany is kept both as a gundog and as an active family pet, valued for its biddable nature and its stamina in the field.

Temperament

Brittanys are cheerful, affectionate and people-focused, and they fit family life well, being playful and generally very good with children. They tend to be friendly or mildly reserved with strangers rather than guarding, so while they may bark a greeting they are not protection dogs. With other dogs they are usually sociable, and being bird dogs they often coexist with household pets, though their hunting instinct means small fast-moving animals can trigger a chase, so introductions should be sensible. They are intelligent, quick to learn and eager to please, which makes them a joy to train, but many are sensitive and a harsh approach can make them anxious or shut them down, so keep it positive. The key behavioural need is simple: lots of exercise and mental work. A Brittany with an outlet for its energy is biddable and easy, while a bored one becomes hyperactive and noisy.

Appearance

The Brittany is a medium-sized, leggy, athletic dog built for endurance, standing roughly 47 to 52 cm at the shoulder and weighing about 14 to 18 kg. It is squarely built and looks light and agile rather than heavy. The coat is medium length, flat or slightly wavy, with light feathering on the legs and ears, and it needs only moderate care. The breed is often born with a naturally short tail or is docked where that is still permitted. Colours are typically orange and white or liver and white, frequently with ticking or a roan pattern through the white, and tricolour dogs occur.

Suitability

The Brittany suits an active owner or family with a house and a securely fenced yard and a genuine commitment to daily exercise, whether that is running, gundog work, agility or long walks. It can work well for a first-time owner who is active and ready to keep it busy, thanks to its trainability and friendly nature. It is not suited to apartment living unless heavily exercised, nor to a sedentary household, and it dislikes being left alone for long, doing best where there is company much of the day. The medium coat copes reasonably with the cold but offers limited protection from strong sun, so in the Australian heat exercise during the cooler hours and always provide shade and fresh water.

Health

A well-bred Brittany typically lives around 12 to 14 years and is one of the hardier gundog breeds, but a few conditions are worth knowing. Hip dysplasia occurs and can lead to arthritis, so parents should be hip scored. Eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma, are seen in the breed, so a recent eye certificate on the parents is worth asking for. Epilepsy turns up in some lines, and the breed is also one of those affected by an inherited bleeding disorder, so ask the breeder about both. As an active, athletic dog kept lean and well exercised, the Brittany generally stays healthy, but buy from someone who hip scores, eye tests and is open about any neurological or bleeding issues in their dogs rather than treating health questions as an inconvenience.