Is a Brittany Right for You?
The Brittany is a beloved breed of dog that originated in the Brittany region of France. Known for their friendly personalities and versatile hunting abilities, Brittanys have become a popular choice for hunters and families alike. However, there’s much more to this breed than meets the eye. From their unique history to their athletic prowess, there are many interesting facts to discover about the Brittany. Read on to explore 13 fascinating facts about this remarkable breed that will give you a deeper appreciation for these loyal and intelligent dogs. Check out some great Brittany pictures shared by users in the Brittany User Gallery.
The Brittany, once known as the Brittany Spaniel
originated in the Brittany region of France in the 1800s. They were developed by French hunters who wanted a versatile gun dog that could work in a variety of terrains and conditions, from dense forests to open fields.
Traditionally, the Brittany was used as a pointing dog
to locate and flush out game birds such as quail and pheasants, and then retrieve them after they were shot. They were also used as a flushing dog for rabbits and hare. Today, the breed is still highly regarded as a hunting companion but has also become a popular family pet and show dog.
The EXACT origin of the Brittany is unknown
but it is believed to have descended from a variety of spaniel-type breeds that were common in Europe at the time, including the English Setter, the Welsh Springer Spaniel, and the French Spaniel. The Brittany was recognized as a distinct breed by the French Kennel Club in 1907 and was first registered with the American Kennel Club in 1934.
In Landmark Research on Modern Dog Breed
development, the Brittany has been shown to share the most DNA with an ancestor of the following breeds:
English Setter
Gordon Setter
Spinone Italiano
The Brittany is known to be
rather sensitive, which means that they don’t respond well to harsh training methods and loud voices. It’s best to approach their training with a calm and even-tempered attitude. Additionally, the Brittany enjoys and needs high-quality human interaction to thrive.
Brittanys have a distinctive
“square” body shape, with a short, dense coat that can come in a variety of colors. They generally weigh 30-40 pounds and can stand up to 20 inches at the shoulder. According to AKC standard, accepted coat colors are:
“Orange and white or liver and white in either clear or roan patterns. Some ticking is
desirable. The orange or liver is found in the standard parti-color or piebald patterns.”
Growing Up Brittany!
Have pictures of your dog as a puppy and an adult? We give-away free random videos of dogs growing up every month. You can enter pictures here!
The Brittany was originally
named the Brittany Spaniel. The AKC shortened the name to “Brittany” in 1982 because they actually have less in common (genetically) with Spaniels than the Setter breeds.
The AKC Conducts Dog Racing Trials
each December in Orlando, FL. called the Fast CAT Invitational. This is a 100 yard race where dogs run individually chasing a lure. The average running speed by Brittany is about 24 mph. The fastest recorded speed by a Brittany was by a dog named Sunset’s Pipin’ Hot Golden Girl at 29.98 mph!
The Brittany has earned more
AKC Dual Champion titles than ALL of the other sporting breeds combined. This amazing dog has racked up over 700 championships!
The CBARQ Dog Temperament Research
study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, is a giant study of over 300 dog breeds and 60,000 individual dogs. In this study, the Brittany ranks 9 out of 124 breeds in energy level. They are highly energetic and playful dogs who do not tire easily. A Brittany is generally always ready for adventure!
In this Same Research
the Brittany ranks VERY high (17 out of 124 breeds) in prey drive. This is no surprise as they were bred as hunting dogs. If a squirrel, rabbit or other small animal passes their sight-they are gone!
Brittany Humor!
In the Landmark Book
entitled, “The Intelligence of Dogs”, professor Stanley Coren researched and documented the intelligence of over 130 different dog breeds. In his book, the Brittany ranks 19 out of 138 breeds in working/obedience intelligence. Essentially this means they will learn new commands in 5 to 15 repetitions and obey first commands more than 85% of the time. This puts them in the “excellent working and obedience intelligence” category. In contrast, the least intelligent breeds will learn the same command in 80-100 repetitions!
Brittanys Have an Average
lifespan of 12-14 years, with some reaching up to 17! Although a relatively healthy breed with a long lifespan, the Brittany does have a few health concerns such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and epilepsy.
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