Last Updated on August 5, 2023 by Pets Feed
The Brittany Spaniel (French Brittany) is the smallest of the French Spaniel dogs. Despite its small size, this canine breed surprises with its vitality and energy, because we are talking about a particularly agile dog and a privileged nose.
This breed is an example of a dog that has traditionally stood out as a hunting dog throughout its history in central Brittany. He is also currently considered an excellent companion dog, which also stands out in various canine sports, such as agility.
Brittany Spaniel photos
Physical characteristics
The Brittany Spaniel is a stocky, muscular dog of medium size with a graceful and harmonious physique. The growth of males can reach 52 cm, females are slightly smaller. Weighing 13-18 kg, the dog does not look heavy or massive. A feature of appearance is a shortened tail, many puppies are born without a tail.
Distinctive features
- Head: The skull and temples are slightly domed. The craniofacial lines are parallel. The skull is slightly longer than the width between the zygomatic arches. The eyebrow bones draw a slightly rounded curve.
- Jaws: Scissor bite. The teeth are straight.
- Ears: Dropped, triangular, of medium length, wide. The upper part is partially covered with wavy hair, the ears are constantly moving.
- Eyes: Slightly oblique. With an intelligent, gentle and frank expression. Oval, not protruding, with thin and tight eyelids, dark amber, hazelnut.
- Torso: The line of the spine is short and straight. The rather narrow sides rise along the raised belly.
- The depth of the chest is slightly less than half of the total height. The length of the ischium-scapularis (from the beginning of the shoulder to the buttocks) is equal to the height at the withers (the body fits in a square).
- Legs: Powerful, with prominent muscles. The joints are strong and flexible. The shoulders are muscular, very smooth.
- Coat: Fine, not too soft to the touch, of medium length. The color can be white with red, brown or black spots. Less than a tone. The most common white-red color.
Character and behavior
The Brittany Spaniel is valued as a companion dog. He is a friendly, happy and sociable dog. She is calm, complacent, has a balanced character. Gets along with all family members, friendly. He loves children, treats them with care, without showing displeasure with tricks. The dog is ready to run and play with them all day, to protect them.
Brittany Spaniels are not prone to dominance, so they are obedient and docile. They get along well with all pets. While on the street with other people’s cats, birds and rodents they may show hunting instincts.
They do not express aggression towards strangers, they are friendly, allow themselves to be petted.
Health
The Brittany Spaniel dog breed is generally healthy, but some illnesses still occur:
- Hip dysplasia;
- Lupus erythematosus dioxide;
- Epilepsy.
Life expectancy
With the proper care, the life expectancy of the Brittany Spaniel is between 12 and 14 years.
Care
The Brittany Spaniel dog needs weekly brushing and also a monthly bath (this is the minimum). Also, it can be done after a walk in the park or in nature, paying special attention to the ears.
Hanging and flexible ears often trap moisture in the ear canal and need to be cleaned regularly, in addition, the dog often picks up various detritus, dead leaves, etc. with his ears. Eyes are cleaned daily or as needed, nails are trimmed 3 times a month.
Exercise
He is a very active dog who needs regular exercise. Regardless of the method of keeping, it is necessary to walk the dog 2-3 times a day for at least an hour.
History of the breed
The Brittany spaniel belongs to the French dog breeds, because it is native to the Brittany region, hence its name. In French, “épagneul” would mean squatting, which these animals do with the greatest perfection in their work.
It is one of the oldest breeds of Spaniels, which is demonstrated by the fact that in 1907 the first breed standard had already been established in Nantes, the Club of the Breton Short-tailed Spaniel the same year. That is to say that at the beginning the breed was called Brittany spaniel short tail, but the qualifier that refers to the length of the tail ends up getting lost, reducing to the Brittany spaniel. The breed was recognized on May 31, 1907 by the Central Canine Society.
The breed comes from the crossing of different spaniel breeds, such as English setters or springers. It is proven that the first litter in which what we know today as the “Brittany spaniel” was obtained and was born in the 90s of the 19th century. The birth was in Fougères, a French city, more precisely it happened in the house of the French viscount Du Pontavice, who was a great breeder and hunter.
The litter was produced by the hybridization of a British female with a French spaniel, the puppies were distinguished by their skills for tracking and searching for prey. These qualities made them valuable hunting companions in the region, the breed spread throughout France throughout the 20th century.
