Brittany Spaniel
For many years, many breeders wanted to delete the word "spaniel" from the name of the breed because Brittanys are pointing dogs, not flushing dogs like spaniels. In April 1982, the AKC Board of Directors approved changing the name to Brittany, deleting the word "spaniel" as a part of the name. In some other countries, however, they still are called Brittany Spaniels. Today, the Brittany ranks 31st among the 155 breeds and varieties registered by the AKC.
brittany spaniel
The Brittany is a breed of gun dog bred primarily for bird hunting. Although it is often referred to as the Brittany Spaniel, they are not actually spaniels. The AKC reclassified them in 1984 as just Brittanys, since they are pointing dogs and have less genetically in common with Spaniels, and more in common with Setters, which are pointing dogs. The breed's working characteristics are more akin to those of a pointer or setter than a spaniel.
Though it resembles a spaniel-like dog used for flushing game, such as Springers and Cockers, Brittanys are more akin to pointers and all-purpose sporting dogs. Known in the United Kingdom as an HPR breed (Hunt, Point and Retrieve), they are expected to point and retrieve all birds and ground game up to, and including, hare. These unique qualities have given the Brittany more Dual Champions than any other AKC Sporting Breed, a landmark reached with the 500th in 2006.[3]
The Brittany is named for the French province from which it originates. Originally the breed was registered as the Brittany spaniel. The breed combines many talents such as pointing like a setter, and retrieving like a spaniel. In 1982 the breed gave up its classification as a spaniel, and its official American Kennel Club name was changed to Brittany. The Brittany is classified as a utility gun dog, which means they hunt, point, flush and retrieve game. They are the smallest of the breeds known as the versatile gun dogs.
Named after the northwestern French region in which it was first developed, the Brittany is a sturdy and robust hunting dog that specializes in different types of fowl including ducks, woodcocks, partridges, and pheasants. It originated between the 17th and 19th centuries, perhaps first used by peasants and poachers in France. The breed was once called the Brittany spaniel. However, since this dog is a pointer and does not flush out the game like a spaniel, the full name was eventually shortened in 1982 to its more accurate form. Today, it is considered to be an all-around versatile dog: good in the field, good in the show ring, and good at home as a loving companion.
If you\u2019re interested in adopting this breed, then you can check with several Brittany-specific rescue groups, including American Brittany Rescue and the National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network. It may be more difficult to find one at a general animal shelter.\n"}},"@type":"Question","name":"Are Brittany dogs good family dogs?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, the Brittany is an excellent family dog. It gets along very well with people of all ages, though it might be a little sensitive to loud noises and rough behavior.\n","@type":"Question","name":"Do Brittany dogs shed?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, this dog might do a bit of shedding, but as long as owners brush the fur at least twice a week, most of the loose hair should be taken care of.\n","@type":"Question","name":"Are Brittany dogs cuddly?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"The Brittany is a very affectionate breed. Properly socialized dogs should thrive on constant human contact and attention.\n","@type":"Question","name":"Are Brittany dogs smart?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, the Brittany is well-regarded for its intelligence. Out in the field, it needed to be a sharp-minded and inquisitive breed in order to alert its owner to the presence of game birds. In the home, it\u2019s quick to grasp and follow human commands.\n","@type":"Question","name":"What does a Brittany look like?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"The Brittany is a medium-sized dog with a solid, compact, and athletic body. Some of its most iconic features include floppy ears, a short bobbed tail, and featherings around the ears and legs. The coat of fur is always flat or wavy with an orange and white or a liver and white coloration.\n","@type":"Question","name":"What are some types of Brittany mixes?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"Some popular hybrids include a Labrador Retriever mix (a Labany), a Border Collie mix (a Border Collie Britt), and a Beagle mix (a Brittany Beagle).\n","@type":"Question","name":"What are the differences between Springer Spaniels and Brittany?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"The biggest differences between a Brittany and a springer spaniel are their size, country of origin for the breed, and morphology.\n"]} Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
A compact, lively, fun-loving hunting dog, the Brittany (also known as the American Brittany and the Brittany spaniel) sports a beautifully patterned coat, long legs, and energy for days. This enthusiasm, along with their big brains, joyful disposition, and a willingness to please, makes training a treat for dog and human alike.
With these traits, the dogs gained popularity in a couple different circles. Poachers began using the smaller Brittany spaniel size, speed, and skill to retrieve illicit game. At the same time, dog shows were growing in popularity in Britain and France, and, as it turned out, the Brittany was as natural in the ring as in the field.
The breed was officially recognized in France as the "Epagneul Breton," or Brittany spaniel, in 1907. They made their way to the U.S. in 1931, and the Brittany spaniel was then recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936. In 1982, the AKC shortened the breed name to the Brittany, dropping the "spaniel" due to the fact that the dog works more like a pointer than a spaniel, but the full name remains preferred in other parts of the world.
I have put a spaniel to a well-bred setter bitch, and been lucky enough to combine the ranging qualities of the latter and the hunting perseverance of the former. The French have tried this cross very frequently. I lately purchased one of the produce, and I can say that few dogs perform better in the field than this one.
They certainly are not so fine in the skin as the Spanish or English pointers; but, although they do not carry long-haired jackets and feathered stems like setters or spaniels, their coats are thick and close set, and well adapted to the rough country in which they do their work. 041b061a72