Brittany Spaniel

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated April 3, 2009)

The Brittany Spaniel boasts an ancient lineage but didn't really hit America until the mid 1930s. It is believed that the breed is distantly related to the red and white setter. The Brittany Spaniel is one of the more unique spaniels for a number of reasons:

  • He is the only spaniel with a developed pointing instinct.
  • He acts and looks like a setter.
  • Many of the Brittany Spaniels are born without a tail and if there is a tail it is usually no longer than four inches.

The Brittany Spaniel is strong, vigorous, energetic and quick of movement. He is a compact dog of medium size, only weighing thirty to forty pounds. He stands somewhere between seventeen and twenty-one inches from the ground to the highest point of the back. His coat is dense and flat; it may be wavy but never curly. The coat is not as fine as what you would find in other spaniel breeds and it is never silky. The color is usually a dark orange and white or a liver and white.

The Brittany has a natural instinct to retrieve and to point. Like a lot of other hunting dogs he would not be considered timid, still he is a rather sensitive dog. He takes correction well, but it is best to be administered in mild doses. He is considered "thin skinned" and should be handled with kind treatment.

Additional information on the Brittany Spaniel can be found at the website for the American Kennel Club.

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Delicious Spaghetti Sauce

You can get spaghetti just about anywhere, but nothing is quite so good as homemade spaghetti. Here's a recipe for ...

Discover More

Chow Chow

Of Chinese descent, the Chow Chow was once used for guarding and hunting. Devoted and weary of strangers, he is now ...

Discover More

Dealing with Toilet Bowl Lime Scale

When most people here the term "lime scale" they think of problems in their bathtubs, showers, or maybe on the water ...

Discover More
More Pet Tips

Field Spaniel

The Field Spaniel is agile and intelligent. He possesses great speed and endurance rendering him a great dog for sporting.

Discover More

German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Shorthaired Pointer is known for his versatility. Qualities of power, agility and intelligence make him a ...

Discover More

Irish Setter

Highly affectionate and eager to please, the Irish setter is a great companion. He is considered to be a general purpose ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 4 + 1?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)