The Brittany: Versatile Dog from France

The Brittany is very active; built for hunting and does best with plenty of exercise and an active owner. They are incredibly intelligent, easily bored, and not a couch potato. You must provide them with plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and a job to do or you won't be able to live with them. They are wonderful family pets; good with children, other dogs, and cats. The Brittany is a great companion, loyal family member, and outstanding hunter.

The Brittany originated in its namesake region of France. The Brittany was originally used by the peasants to poach on the rich landowner's land. The Brittany would point the birds and the peasant would throw a net over them to capture the birds. They were originally bred to hunt both furred and feathered game. Breed historians believe early Brittanys were crossed with setters and spaniels from the British Isles. From these breedings the Brittany developed its adaptable manner of hunting; unlike other spaniels, the Brittany points. In addition, the Brittany doesn't hunt in a zigzag pattern or spring in the field and flush game from cover. Instead, it ranges over the ground like a setter or pointer. Early Brittanys were orange and white, liver and white, black and white or tri-color. Hunters favored tailless dogs.

The Brittany Spaniel Club of France formed in 1907 and set an official standard for the breed to stabilize these physical characteristics. Although a few Brittanys arrived earlier, the first major influx of breeding stock arrived in North America in the 1920s. The first importers were Juan Pugibet of Mexico and Louis Thebaud of New Jersey. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 1935. They were known as the Brittany Spaniel until 1982 when AKC dropped the Spaniel part. The Brittany is 17 ½ to 20 ½ inches tall and approximately 30 to 45 pounds. Colors acceptable by the US standard for the breed are orange and white, liver and white, and tri-color (liver, orange, and white). The Brittany is born tail-less or the tail docked so it will be no longer than four inches in length.