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| Brittany (formerly Brittany Spaniel) |
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The fiery and active Brittany is a package of energy in a very happy and friendly package. This worker is very focused on whatever task placed before him/her and generally has exceptional skills at getting along with everyone. For the average home, the Brittany for all his/her exceptional good looks, low grooming needs and compact size, proves a very POOR choice as a pet, per se. The energy and focus for work is just too great to relegate this dog to an empty day while everyone is at work or school. For that family that is active with regular jogging, hunting and training activities, the Brittany proves to be a dream come true. |
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| General Information |
| Group(s):
Sporting, Pointer-Setter |
Height: 17.5-20.5 inches at the shoulder |
| Weight: 35-45 pounds usually |
Longevity: teens |
| Colors: orange and white or liver and white in clear or roan patterns |
Coat type: dense, flat or wavy, some fringe on ears and legs, not silky or wiry |
| Recognized Registries: NCA, FCI, AKC, UKC and others |
| Overall Appearance: Compact, leggy medium dog with an athletic impression of stamina. Mildly reminiscent of the Setters and Spaniels to which it is related. |
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| Personaility - Behavior - Training |
| Energy Level: high |
| General Nature: |
congenial, excitable, often called hyper |
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with Children: very good but exuberance on the part of the child or dog can be undesirable |
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with other pets: generally very good though as a hunting dog questionable with birds and other small animals |
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with dogs: generally exceptional |
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| Socialization requirements: moderate to high |
| Ideal home characteristics: One that appreciates the hunting focus and work ethic. The energy and drive of this dog will make is virtually impossible to live with without heavy outlets of exercise/work. |
| Temperament Notes: Intelligent, agile, athletic, the Brittany is well suited for many activities but not a sedentary lifestyle. |
| Training requirement: moderate to high: socializing is critical, basic manners required for the dog to be suitable as a companion and further training is necessary to keep the dog well-adjusted and balanced |
| Trainer notes: Much like the Border Collie and other high intensity breeds, the Brittany is still very much a dog of its original purpose. This working inclination makes it a dramatically different dog to live with than one of a breed that has been primarily a companion for many generations. While many breeds may still have working abilities, as their life is primarily as a pet, the emphasis on breeding is for a different group of characteristics. This is not apparent with the Brittany. Without exception, every Brittany that the staff of Digital Dog has met has been extremely high energy and a great dog to work with in obedience, field, flyball, agility or any other activity and virtually impossible to live with as the typical backyard pet. The drive of this breed to have a job and activity will make it into a neurotic, hyperactive member of any family that does not have the time or interest to pursue other activities with their companion. It cannot be stated too clearly that this is NOT a dog that will be happy with a daily walk around the block. If your home and lifestyle and commitment does not allow for a high level of training and activity for this dog, seeking another option is the wisest and fairest course for you and the breed. |
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| Background Information |
| Year range of first recognition: late 1800s early 1900s |
| Country of Origin: France |
| Original Function: spaniel/setter of woodcocks |
| History: Result of highly successful crosses of the small black/white French Spaniel and the English Setter. |
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| Adoption Information |
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| Deviations from Standard: too large, coat too long or curly, coat too smooth, dense undercoat, heavy head, bulging eyes |
| Health Notes: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye problems, seizuring, patellar luxation, hypothryroidism, hernias, vWD, heart problems |
| Health Testing: OFA, CERF, thyroid panel, vWD, |
| Questions to ask Breeder: http://www.digitaldog.com/breeder_questions.html - The Breeder Questions as listed here provided with explanations and answers you will want to be looking for!
- How long have you had Brittanies?
- How long have you been breeding them?
- Do you plan to keep a puppy from this litter?
- What health issues have you seen in the breed?
- What health issues do you screen you screen you breeding stock for?
- At what age do you send puppies home?
- Do you have suggestions for socializing and training a Brittany puppy?
- What would you consider an ideal Brittany home?
- Do you have a written guarantee and puppy contract?
- What titles do you seek for your breeding stock?
- What do you consider the ideal Brittany temperament?
- Do you microchip your puppies?
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| Web Sites: http://americanbrittanyrescue.org/ - American Brittany Rescue (no affiliation with the breed club)
http://nbran.org/- National Brittany Rescue Network
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/brittanys.html- Independent Brittany Rescue and Rehabilitation
http://www.adoptabritt.org/- Mid-Atlantic Brittany Rescue |
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| Other Resources |
| Breed standard: |
http://clubs.akc.org/brit/breedstand.htm - Standard for the American Brittany Club |
| Breeder Ethics: |
http://clubs.akc.org/brit/abc_code_of_ethics.htm - American Brittany Club Code of Ethics
http://nbran.org/volunteer/ethics.htm- Code of Ethics for volunteers of the National Brittany Network |
| Other: |
In a breed where a large percentage of puppies are sold as hunting companions, it is naive to believe that the future of the hunting dog that "doesn't turn out" is good. Even so, the American Brittany Club does not offer any rescue resources but instead offers just links to other "non-affiliated" groups. It would be very gratifying to see the breeders and hunters of the American Brittany Club take responsibility for the dogs that they know would ultimately end up in rescue and help support the rescue efforts on behalf of their dogs. |
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