Description

This hearty little dog has been known as the Brittany Spaniel(Brit) until very receint years. Now he is referred to as The American Brittany, most likely due to other breeds such as the french Brittany who also has a long soft coat very similar with the acception of color. Many people confused this as simply the Brittany with a different color pattern. Now this spirited little gundog is known as the American Brittany.

The American Brittany is a hearty little dog that excels in the upland game bird field. Being a fantastic pointer in his own right and a natural retriever are not  the only things that make an American Brittany a very  distinct little bird dog, he has more drive, stamina and natural bird finding ability then most hunting dog breeds. When you are done hunting today bring him home and he is happy to curl up in your favorite reading chair. He is the right size for it too. He won’t eventually take over your favorite chair.

Grooming is the only downside to owning an American Brittany. They have a long, soft coat if you do not shave them so daily grooming and removing weeds and stickers are a constant with this little dog. The Brit has a lovely coat but it can be troublesome during the hunting season. This little dog normally won’t be hitting the freezing cold water and making an aerial assault on the lake like the Labrador Retriever next door who thinks he is the next closest thing to a bomber from WW11 so cutting his hair short and depending on where you live certainly makes this a good option for the American Brittany owner.

The Brittany is a hearty, medium-sized, leggy dog. The dog's long legs are the same height at the shoulders as the length of the body. The medium sized, rounded head is wedge-shaped, but not quite as wide in length. The stop slopes mildly. The muzzle is medium in length. The nose has wide nostrils and comes in fawn, tan, shades of brown or deep pink, depending on the color of its coat. Black noses are not permitted in the show ring. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. Eyes come in colors of dark brown to shades of amber and hazel, depending on the coat color. The triangular ears are set high, laying flat close to the head. The feet are small with well arched toes and thick pads. The tail is set high, either naturally short or docked to 4 inches or less (10 cm.). Note: it is illegal to crop tails in most of Europe. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The single coat is lightly feathered, never curly, but dense, flat or wavy. All over the world the Brittany or Epagneul Breton accepts 5 colors orange and white, liver and white, black and white, liver tri-color, and black tricolor, in either a clear or roam pattern, with some ticking.  The USA (AKC) and Canada (CKC) do not recognize black. All other countries world wide do accept all colors and follow the FCI standard of the breed.

 Temperament

 The Brittany is intelligent, and easy to handle and train for hunting. It is a loving and gentle animal; obedient and always eager to please. Happy and alert. This vigorous breed is a very active and enthusiastic hunter. Affectionate. Independent - it is a free-thinker. Good-natured and easy to care for. Brittanys who lack in mental and or physical exercise will become hyperactive and unstable as the energy builds up inside them. When they are not hunting they need to be taken out on daily pack walks where the dog is made to heel beside the handler. Never walked out in front as pack leader goes first. They also need an owner who is firm, but calm, confident and consistent all at the same time, setting the rules and sticking to them. Brittanys who lack in mental/physical exercise and or are not secure with their place in the pack may become nervous and or timid. Socialize extensively as a puppy. Because of the dog's hunting instincts, the Brittany likes to roam. They are good with children if they are raised with them from puppyhood and/or properly socialized. It adapts to all types of terrain: woods, plains or hills. It's resistant to cold and damp conditions. It is used especially for hunting woodcock, partridge, and hare, and is always active, enthusiastic, and untiring. It also has an outstanding instinct for retrieving from water. The Brittany has earned great popularity among millions of hunters because of its moderate size, which allows hunters to transport them easily. Because of its jolly character, it is also popular as a companion dog.

Height, Weight

 Height: Dogs 17-21 inches (43-53 cm.)   Bitches 18-20 inches (46-51 cm.)
Weight: Dogs 35-40 pounds (16-18 kg.)  Bitches 30-40 pounds (14-18 kg.)

Origin

The Brittany was named for the French province of Brittany and may be the a result of crossing the Orange and White Setter and some not clearly identified French dog. Since the Brittany looks a lot like the Welsh Springer Spaniel some think the two may be related. The breed is one of the most popular pointing breeds for bird hunting. In some countries the breed is referred to as a "Brittany Spaniel", however in the United States it is referred to as just "Brittany". The Brittany was first shown in France in 1896 and first recognized by the AKC in 1934.