Britanny Spaniel
Appearance
| Britanny Spaniel Quick Summary | |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | |
| Origin | France |
| Lineage | Pedigree |
| Size | Small-medium |
| Height (at withers) | 17-21in (43-53cm) |
| Weight | 30-45lbs (14-20kg) |
| Hair Colour(s) | |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
| Energy Level | High |
| Litter size | 1-11 |
| Shedding | Medium |
| Grooming | Medium |
| Barking Tendency | Medium |
| Exercise requirements | Medium |
| Ease of training | High |
| Suitability for kids | High |
| Animal compatability | High |
| Aggression levels | Low |
| Distress if left | Medium |
The Brittany Spanielis endowed with long legs and a face that sports an alert, confident and intelligent look, which radiates from eyes that can be tawny or hazel in colour. The triangular ears are somewhat short, set high, and fold to the side of the head. The coat is soft and dense, and can be wavy with hair on the legs being feathered. The colour is commonly liver and white or orange and white, although some can have a triple colouring of liver and white with some orange.
Temperament
Britanny Spaniels are friendly, eager and fun-loving dogs and make great family pets. Highly intelligent and obedient, these are easier dogs than most to train, which makes them suitable for novice dog owners as well as for the more experienced. Brittanys love people and attention and should not be neglected, as boredom can lead to destructive behavior. They make effective watchdogs thanks to their loving and protective streaks, and they will bark to sound an alarm should anything seem amiss. Being gentle and stable creatures, Brittany Spaniels get on very well with children and other animals, although like with all dogs it is important they are socialised early on. They can be quite timid around strangers and can have a shy or timid streak anyway, something that can be reduced through early socialisation.
History & Skills
Britanny Spaniels originate from France, specifically the province of Brittany, which provides their name. Originally bred to hunt, they made excellent pointing bird dogs because of their keen sense of smell and could retrieve both on land and in water. These days Britanny Spaniels make great family dogs.
Breed Specific Ailments
Britanny Spaniels tend to live between 12-14 years and tend to have less genetic defects than many other breeds, but some of the problems noted include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, liver problems, skin allergies and eye problems.
Grooming
Britanny Spaniels are medium shedders and are not high maintenance in terms of grooming. The soft, feathered coat should be brushed once or twice a week, depending upon length, to remove dead hair, prevent matting and to ensure the dog is free of parasites such as fleas or ticks. These dogs are seasonal shedders and so grooming will need increasing during these periods. If kept simply as pets, clipping generally isn't necessary. Their nails will need trimming occasionally too.
Exercise & Environment
Britanny Spaniels are high energy dogs and need lots of exercise, and preferably, opportunities to hunt. A daily walk will not be enough and they require an hour or more of good exercise every day. Unsuitable for urban areas and small homes, they are happiest living where they can run freely.
Recognition
 | FCI - Federation Cynologique Internationale | |
 | The Kennel Club (UK) | |
 | AKC - American Kennel Club |
Breed Clubs
Coming soon!
Owners Gallery
Pretty empy right now. If you would like to see you dog here please email a photo to BFD Photos along with your name, your dog's name & age, breed and rough location (please keep image file sizes reasonable!).