- Brittany Dog Breed: Everything You Need to Know
Everything You Need to Know About
Brittany Dog Breed
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Table of Contents
Brittany Dog Breed General Information
Formerly known as the “Brittany Spaniel,” the Brittany dog is dubbed as the “Energizer Bunny” of dogs. This breed is an elegant but happy-go-lucky type of hunting dog with a reputation for being athletic, agile, and energetic.
These beautiful dogs usually have orange & white or liver & white colored double-coats. Their coats hold clear or roan patterns but can occasionally be tricolored.
Their expressions are sweet, and their short and triangular ears mark them as ready for action. Sometimes, Brittanys are tailless.
This article will discuss the Brittany dog’s personality and specific needs in detail, along with what you need to keep in mind when trying to determine if they’re the right dog for you.
Characteristics of a
Brittany Dog
Consider these most common traits of the Brittany Spaniel / Brittany dog:
Temperament
The Brittany dog breed is well known for its friendly nature. These bright dogs are sweet, full of energy, and versatile with extraordinary working ability.
They are also quick learners and eager to please, making them very easy to train.
The Brittany dog temperament also includes an up-for-anything approach to life, so they are always willing to tag along with their people.
Brittanys are adaptable and agile enough for most sports and physical activities, so they’re great partners for people who love running or hiking.
Energy Level
The Brittany dog breed is high energy, so anything less than an hour of intensive exercise per day will not be enough to keep it occupied and will result in neurotic and destructive behaviors.
These hyperactive dogs love long walks (the type lasting for at least an hour and a half) and like to be constantly on the move. Brittanys are suitable companions for hunters and athletes.
The Brittany dog breed is high energy, so anything less than an hour of intensive exercise per day will not be enough to keep it occupied and will result in neurotic and destructive behaviors.
These hyperactive dogs love long walks (the type lasting for at least an hour and a half) and like to be constantly on the move. Brittanys are suitable companions for hunters and athletes.
Size
Brittany dogs are medium-sized dogs who grow to be leggier than spaniels but shorter than setters.
- Weight:
Brittany Spaniel weight ranges from 13 – 21 kg (30 – 45 lbs), with no significant difference between males and females.
- Weight:
- Height:
Being medium-sized dogs, Brittany dog size generally ranges from 46 – 52 cm (18 – 21 in) in height.
Males are generally in the 47 – 52 cm (18.5 – 21 in) range, with females only slightly shorter at 46 – 51 cm (18 – 20 in).
- Height:
- Length:
An average Brittany’s overall body length is between 58 – 76 cm (22.5 – 30 in).
- Length:
Average Size Chart
Weight
Female
Male
13 – 21 kg
30 – 45 lbs
13 – 21 kg
30 – 45 lbs
Height
Female
Male
46 – 51 cm
18 – 20 in
47 – 52 cm
18.5 – 21 in
Length
Female
Male
58 – 76 cm
22.5 – 30 in
58 – 76 cm
22.5 – 30 in
Weight
Female
13 – 21 kg
30 – 45 lbs
Male
13 – 21 kg
30 – 45 lbs
Height
Female
46 – 51 cm
18 – 20 in
Male
47 – 52 cm
18.5 – 21 in
Length
Female
58 – 76 cm
22.5 – 30 in
Male
58 – 76 cm
22.5 – 30 in
Trainability / Intelligence
Training a Brittany puppy should start as soon as they are 8 weeks old. These fun dogs are excitable but eager to please and benefit greatly from respect training.
Obedience training is not quite as important for this breed.
Use only positive reinforcement when training a Brittany puppy, as these intelligent dogs are extremely sensitive, and the slightest rebuke or stern look can hurt their feelings.
Training a Brittany puppy should start as soon as they are 8 weeks old. These fun dogs are excitable but eager to please and benefit greatly from respect training.
Obedience training is not quite as important for this breed.
Use only positive reinforcement when training a Brittany puppy, as these intelligent dogs are extremely sensitive, and the slightest rebuke or stern look can hurt their feelings.
Other Pets / Children
- Other pets:
If you’ve been thinking of getting a Brittany but already have pets, worry not.
- Other pets:
Most Brittany dogs are great with cats and dogs, as they are not naturally aggressive towards other dogs and can be easily trained to live together with cats when introduced early.
- Children:
As for young children, Brittanys have been known to be playful, energetic, and affectionate around kids and make fun playmates.
- Children:
Keep in mind that their happy and exuberant nature also means they can accidentally injure small children when they are excited and should not be left with kids unsupervised.
Shedding / Coat
Brittanys are not the ideal breed for someone looking for a non-shedding dog, due to their dense short-to-medium coat, but they can still be considered.
Brittany dog shedding occurs all year round but is moderate enough to be kept under control with regular brushing alone. Shedding increases slightly during spring, their shedding season.
Brittanys are not the ideal breed for someone looking for a non-shedding dog, due to their dense short-to-medium coat, but they can still be considered.
Brittany dog shedding occurs all year round but is moderate enough to be kept under control with regular brushing alone. Shedding increases slightly during spring, their shedding season.
Grooming / Care
Brush your Brittany’s coat weekly or as otherwise required to keep shedding at bay. Keep your dog’s coat clean with weekly or biweekly bathing sessions.
Clean your Brittany’s ears with a veterinarian-approved cleaning solution and trim their nails as required (at least once per month).
Brittany Spaniel grooming should also include combing the hair on the back of the pastern (around their feet) and cutting it short to half an inch or less every 4-6 weeks.
The long hair coming out of the dewclaw area and the hair between the dog’s toes should also be trimmed. Take your dog to a professional groomer regularly if you are unsure about these sensitive areas.
Common Health Issues / Veterinary needs
The average Brittany spaniel lifespan is 12 to 13 years, but they can live much longer with regular vet visits and thyroid and hip exams. You should take your dog to the vet at least once a year when they are an adult and increase the frequency to twice a year or more as your dog gets older.
Brittany dog is generally a healthy breed, but they do suffer from some genetic health issues.
- Brittany Genetic Health Issues:
The most concerning is their tendency to develop canine hip dysplasia or CHD.
- Brittany Genetic Health Issues:
Other Brittany spaniel health issues include hypothyroidism and epilepsy.
Nutrition
Like any other dog, Brittany spaniels need high-quality food rich in animal protein to keep them healthy and happy.
Adult Brittanys should be fed about a cup of food twice a day, while Brittany puppies need to be fed 3 to 4 meals a day. The frequency of meals should be decreased as the puppy gets older.
Like any other dog, Brittany spaniels need high-quality food rich in animal protein to keep them healthy and happy.
Adult Brittanys should be fed about a cup of food twice a day, while Brittany puppies need to be fed 3 to 4 meals a day. The frequency of meals should be decreased as the puppy gets older.
First Time Owner?
The Brittany is generally not considered the best choice for first-time dog owners due to its extremely high-energy nature, which can be challenging to deal with. However, that doesn’t mean this breed is completely off the table for the right people.
Brittanys are intelligent and obedient dogs that make great companions when you know how to deal with their energy.
These dogs pair especially well with people leading highly active lifestyles, spending a lot of time outdoors. For such individuals, Brittanys can be the perfect happy dogs.
Special Needs
• Socialization
While Brittany dogs are naturally friendly, proper socialization is key to a Brittany that is polite and friendly with all kinds of people and animals.
Brittanys tend to have a clear established dominance hierarchy in their groups and can sometimes even be a bit territorial.
Socialization is essential to prevent any of these traits from manifesting negatively but also has other benefits like making timid dogs more confident, decreasing fear/anxiety, and putting an end to aggressive behavior.
• Hunting Instincts
Brittanys are bird dogs with strong hunting instincts, which make them prone to roaming and restlessness.
Of course, socialization helps, but giving your Brittany an outlet for these natural instincts can go a long way in keeping him happy.
Enroll them to compete in hunting and tracking sports like Nosework, Hound trailing, etc., or buy them interactive toys that engage these instincts. Monitor them while playing with toys to prevent swallowing and choking hazards.
• Space
As a medium-sized breed, small enough to be easily transported in a car, you might think the Brittany dog breed won’t need much space. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
Brittanys are unsuitable for small homes. These dogs do not adapt well to apartments and small living quarters due to their energy.
They are happiest in large properties with a lot of outdoor space in the form of a fenced yard. In the absence of a large yard: frequent walks, hikes, and swimming sessions become a necessity.
Other Things to Consider
• Separation Anxiety
Brittany dogs are prone to separation anxiety. This condition is made worse by their emotionally sensitive nature and inability to handle stress.
Brittanys hate being left alone for long periods and suffer from boredom, anxiety, and loneliness — which leads to destructive behaviors like chewing and excessive barking.
Understand this and use your knowledge to make the experience of being left alone easier for your dog. Either keep your Brittany with you, or train your dog to cope with your absence by providing them with lots of toys and activities, such as a food-filled Kong toy.
Brittany dogs are prone to separation anxiety. This condition is made worse by their emotionally sensitive nature and inability to handle stress.
Brittanys hate being left alone for long periods and suffer from boredom, anxiety, and loneliness — which leads to destructive behaviors like chewing and excessive barking.
Understand this and use your knowledge to make the experience of being left alone easier for your dog. Either keep your Brittany with you, or train your dog to cope with your absence by providing them with lots of toys and activities, such as a food-filled Kong toy.
Brittany FAQ
How Much Do Brittany Spaniel Dogs Cost?
On average, these puppies range from $700 – $2,500.
The exact price will depend on the dog’s age, gender, family history, and quality. The breeder’s inclusions such as toys and food, or geographical location might also play a part in price.
Other than that, the first-year expenses of owning a Brittany dog average around $3,665 (vaccinations, food, toys, neuter/spay, grooming, etc).
This figure falls to around $1,400 for the years after that.
Are Brittany Spaniels Good Family Dogs?
For the right families: Yes! Brittany spaniels make amazing family dogs for active households.
They are affectionate, patient, and gentle with all family members as long as their high exercise needs are met.
The Brittany’s sweet and smart nature makes them very easy to love back.
They also love kids of all ages and are very doting and protective to their family children.
Do Brittany Spaniels Bark A Lot?
It depends on their lifestyle.
Brittanys can sometimes be restless and prone to excessive barking, but they only bark occasionally when compared to other dog breeds.
Early training, socialization, and intense daily exercise (both physical and mental) is the best way to reduce your dog’s tendency to bark.
Sometimes dogs also bark for attention. If you think that is the case with your dog, you can work to train your dog to get your attention in a quiet manner.
Brittany Dog Breed Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great companion for hunters, runners, hikers & other active lifestyles
- Happy and affectionate dogs who love to play with their family
- Generally healthy
- Low maintenance grooming
Cons
- Need a lot of physical activity
- Need a lot of space and time to run and play
- Can get bored and destructive when alone
- Unsuitable for cities and apartments
Care Guide
