Although not as common as some breeds the Brittany, formerly known as the Brittany Spaniel, has a long and distinctive place as a faithful companion pet, hunting dog and family friend. These beautiful dogs are smaller than many hunting breeds and their outstanding personalities make them a wonderful pet for a wide variety of families and living conditions.
Considered a medium-sized dog the Brittany weighs in at 30 to 40 pounds and about 17-21 inches at the shoulders. Males are a bit taller and heavier than females, which is typical in most breeds. The breed has a longer, feathered looking coat that can be wavy or straight but not curly. Coat colors recognized by the are the white and orange and white and liver with or without roan and ticking. Their coat is very dense and requires regular grooming to keep it tangle free. The breed is considered a light shedder and only needs bathing infrequently.
The Brittany is a beauty with an intelligent face, alert, dark eyes and triangular ears that are held close to the head. They are very intelligent and are natural hunters, plus they are also ideal for obedience and agility types of training and events. They are a gentle dog with kids and they love to play. Unlike some dogs they are willing to think on their own, which can be both a positive as well as a challenge. They need something to do and they have to feel they are part of the family to be satisfied and happy.
They also need regular, moderate to intense routine exercise every day to be content and calm in the house. They will self exercise outside if they have a companion pet or a daily run at the dog park. This is not a dog for a person that just wants an indoor companion pet as they absolutely crave being outdoors, getting in a good run and going for the occasional swim. Games of fetch or other interactive types of time really bring out the fun side of this wonderful dog. These dogs may have a high prey drive and early socialization with cats and other household pets is important.
It is important to choose a Brittany from a good breeder that completes routine hip dysplasia checks on the parent dogs as well as the pups. This condition is preventable through careful breeding, something that responsible breeders are working hard to ensure for the health of the breed.