Brittany: Superb Hunting Dog
Where Do Brittanys Come From
The Brittany, once upon a time called a [wiki]spaniel[/wiki], is a medium-sized, 30 to 40 pounds, [wiki]gundog[/wiki] from the [wiki]Brittany[/wiki] region of France beginning in the 1600s.
They first came to the United States in 1931, and the AKC registered the first Brittany in 1934.
Known as the Brittany Spaniel for many years, the AKC officially dropped Spaniel from the dog’s name in 1982. They hunted birds, and their hunting style is more similar to dogs that “set” or “point” when the game bird is detected. On the other hand, Spaniels usually “flush” birds or rabbits from their hiding places. The breed is still often referred to as the Brittany Spaniel in France and by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in the United States.
The Brittany is a versatile hunting dog noted for its great sense of smell. It originated in the Brittany region of France. The most common coat color in the United States is orange and white or liver and white. Most Brittanys are born with short and no tails in rare cases. If a puppy is born with a long tail, the tail is usually docked to about 4 inches.
Are Brittanys Good Family Pets
They love to cuddle almost as much as they love to hunt. They are intelligent, ranking 19th in Stanley Coren’s book, “The Intelligence of Dogs,” meaning they are relatively easy to train.
They can live comfortably in rural or urban settings as long as it gets enough exercise. They are active dogs so they may be too exuberant for tiny children. They are usually well-behaved, but a bored dog of any breed may sometimes act out frustrations in unwanted behavior.
All dogs need socialization as much as possible within the first 12 weeks. If a dog is not properly socialized, it may become shy or wary of strangers and bark too much when bored or upset. They get along well with other pets. They even will tolerate a cat if introduced at an early age.
Are They Good Hunting Dogs?
They are excellent hunting dogs and have won many national hunting championships. Some publications consider the dog to be the best Pointing Dog. Although a Brittany has never won best in the show of the West Minister Kennel Club, three have won best in the Sporting Group competition.
Are They Good Watch Dogs?
They are excellent watchdogs because they are suspicious of strangers and will bark to announce when unknown people arrive. However, they are not aggressive, so they will not usually take further action once told.
Do They Shed?
Their fur coat is relatively short and wavy and requires very little grooming. They shed a moderate amount on a seasonal basis, so it may not be a good choice for a person allergic to dogs.
Except for show dogs, most Brittanys will not need their hair clipped. Show dogs usually are trimmed about the face and neck for a neater appearance. They are generally clean but should also have a bath once in a while.
Are They Healthy Dogs?
They have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years; they should be very healthy for most of those years. As with all dog breeds, a few genetic health problems occasionally occur. Hip dysplasia and eye disease are health problems this breed may suffer.
Where Can I Get a Brittany?
You can find puppies on the AKC marketplace. It would be best if you only bought a puppy from a reputable breeder. You may also be able to adopt a rescue dog from American Brittany Rescue, Inc.
For more information on this exceptional breed, visit the American Kennel Club and the American Brittany Club website.
