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. ...

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