In every one of our dog breed articles, we genuinely try to find some pros and cons for choosing a particular dog so that if one of our readers is thinking about adopting that specific dog, they can get a better idea of what it might be like to own that particular dog. This way, they won’t regret their decision six months from now!
This is what…
We typically like to do. But in the case of Brittany, finding something negative to say about them is TOUGH! You almost have to HATE dogs not to pick a Brittany, and that’s certainly not the case with us here at IndulgeYourPet! However, we still want to ensure that only “true” Brittany fans decide to adopt a Brittany, so we’ll try our best to give you a “realistic” idea about what it will be like to own a Brittany.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it!
Brittany Fast Facts
Country of Origin: France
Original Purpose: Companion Dog, Sporting Dog
Height: 17.5 to 20.5 inches tall
Weight: 30 to 45 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 14 years
Dog Breed Classification: Sporting
The Origins of Brittany
The Brittany is a French dog believed to have originated from the Brittany province (which is a great place to visit!). There, French hunters in the mid-1800s decided to try and mix small spaniels (probably French Spaniel breeds and Welsh Spaniel breeds) in the area with English settlers. The result was a “great” retriever with a super strong sense of smell that could be used to seek out small game and “point” to it so that his human master could then “score” the kill.
What made the Brittany so…
Valuable was that this “gundog” or pointing dog could be used in nearly any part of the country. This means that hunters throughout the country, from thickly forested areas to wide-open grasslands, soon began to value Brittany for his many talents. While it is true that we’re not sure who first had the “idea” to create this “mix,” we know that the Brittany was first recognized as a hunting or pointing dog breed in 1907.
Brittany comes to the U.S.A.
In 1925, the first Brittany was brought to the United States. And even though there were plenty of hunters and sportsmen in the U.S. then, the “Brittany” wasn’t an immediate sensation. But as we said at the beginning of this article, it’s tough to find any “fault” with this particular dog breed, which is why it was only a matter of time before Brittany won the heart of America!
By 1934, the American Kennel Club (A.K.C.) officially recognized the breed and set the breed standard. It was the only barrier to Brittany eventually becoming one of the country’s most famous “hunting dogs.”
Physical Characteristics
Brittany is a mid-sized dog weighing 30 and 45 pounds and standing about 17 to 20 inches tall. He will have a short coat, usually of the color combinations of white and liver, white and orange, or white and “roan.” For those unfamiliar with what a Brittany looks like, it’s fair to say that they look a bit like an English Setter and the Welsh Springer Spaniel, which makes sense… right?
Now…
Over the years, there has been a bit of controversy regarding the Brittany tail. You see, some are born with them, and some are born without. Traditionally, those born without have been favored. However, most folks will have those with tails “docked,” in which case they are “considered” every bit as good as those born “tailless.”
What about grooming?
The Brittany coat does not require too much maintenance or grooming since it’s not too long. However, it would be best to give them a good “brush down” once or twice weekly to avoid excessive shedding.
Personality and Temperament
Brittany has a very pleasing personality. He is one of those dogs who is always happy, active, and looking for something to do, which means that you’ll never really see your Brittany sitting in a corner, sulking by himself, whining, complaining, or moaning! And maybe this can be our one complaint about Brittany!
If you’re looking…
For a dog that will sit around the house all day and not want to do much or be “into” you all that much, well then… You don’t want to get a Brittany. You see…
Brittany’s are amiable dogs. They are friendly dogs that love kids, and kids love the back. And while it is true that your Brittany is likely to be very protective by nature, he will also be kind, generous, and understanding. That being said, there is one thing that a Britn will not tolerate. They will not take being ignored. So, if you don’t want to have a dog that follows them around the house or is someone who goes off to work 10 to 12 hours a day, you may want to reconsider adopting a Brittany because they aren’t going to be happy with that!
Training the Brittany
At its core, Brittany is a fast, athletic, and active dog that is always on the move. The Brittany can almost be considered a “terrier” in many aspects, except this “terrier” will be much easier to train. This is probably due to his desire to please his owner. And if you’re serious about training your Brittany and you start early when he or she is just a puppy, you’ll be amazed at all the tricks they can learn. It’s probably why these dogs perform so well in the field and at field trials.
Potential Health Concerns
The Brittany is generally a healthy breed, but even he is known to suffer from specific health issues such as:
- Hip dysplasia,
- and elbow dysplasia.
Both of which can develop into art itis as your Brittany ages. Unfortunately, when it comes to hip dysplasia, Brittanys are almost twice as likely to suffer from this condition compared to other common breeds his size. This brings us to the last topic we wanted to mention in this article: the need to at least “consider” purchasing a pet insurance policy for any new pet you are considering.
No, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But if you do allow yourself to understand what these types of policies “will” and “won’t” cover,r and if you don’t at least find out how much these “types” of policies cost, how will you ever know if purchasing one will be right for you?
Here at IndulgeYourPet…I don’t think you can know. This is why we’ve also written our Best Pet Insurance Companies article so that you can quickly determine if purchasing a pet insurance policy for your new family member makes sense.
thx