French Brittany Spaniel

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The French Brittany Spaniel is a French breed of gundog originating in French province of Brittany and is named after it. Also called Le Fougueux, Epagneul Breton and French Brittany, the dog is used primarily for bird hunting. It is closely related to American Brittany with a difference in bloodline. The American Brittany has bloodlines of English Springer Spaniel. Though generally recognized as a sub-set of the same breed, the American and French Brittany Spaniels differ in lots of aspects.

The French Brittany dog is valued highly as a bird hunting, companion and show dog. The dog is calm yet energetic with a fantastic nose and uncanny bird sense. It hunts within the gun range and checks back with its partner, making it a unique and very favorite dog for foot hunters. It stands between 18 to 20 inches and weighs in accordance to the height.

The dog is medium in size, compact, energetic and solidly built without being heavy. It has a spaniel type head with a straight muzzle. Nose is large and wide with well open nostrils and comes in a colour that matches the coat. Slightly oval and obliquely set eyes are either dark in colour or have matching colour with that of coat or nose. Triangular shaped ears are set rather high and partially covered with wavy hair. The ears are flopped and quite mobile when the dog is attentive or on the move. Slightly curved neck is medium in length and well muscled. The back is short and strong with broad chest and well sprung ribs. Topline is level from short, broad and muscular loin to the beginning of the croup. Short tail is set high, carried horizontally and is mobile when the dog is excited or in action. Some dogs can born without a tail. The dog has a medium length coat that is fine, close-fitted or slightly wavy. It is shorter on the head and front limbs while heavier on hind parts. It comes in different colours including tricolour.

This breed is NOT recognized by AKC but it is recognized by FCI.

Color

The French Brittany Spaniel comes in different colours like orange and white, liver and white, black and white and tricolour, piebald or roan. In dogs with tricolouring, tan markings can be located on different body parts like muzzle, eyes, limbs, on the chest and tail.

Coat

The French Brittany Spaniel has a medium length coat that is fine, lying closely to the body and can be slightly wavy but never curly. It is short on head and front of the limbs while abundant and furnished with feathering on hind part.

Personality

The French Brittany Spaniel is a very people oriented breed with a combination of sweet disposition and reckless courage. The dog is very affectionate and eager to please its master while being an intelligent and highly skilled gundog and retriever of the quarry. While it is very energetic and can virtually work for the whole day, regardless of the weather condition, the breed is calm, submissive and obedient when it returns home. This affectionate, loving and devoted dog is great with children and gets along well with other dogs. Very playful and energetic, it proves to be an excellent playmate for children as well as a great companion for the whole family. The dog is smart enough to know what is expected of it and will act accordingly. This even-tempered dog is very social and is not wary of strangers. This makes it unsuitable as watchdog as the dog is too welcoming! Nevertheless, the dog is an excellent bird hunting dog as well as a great companion and family pet.

Care

Medium length fine and close-fitted coat requires brushing once or twice a week. Bathe only when necessary. Ears should be checked for infection.

Training

Eager to please, willing to learn and obedient to its master, the dog is very trainable. The trainer should use positive training methods to train this sweet-natured dog.

Activity

Energetic dog that it is, the French Brittany Spaniel will need at least an hour of exercise to burn its energy levels to controllable proportions. It is a great walking, jogging and hiking partner. An under exercised dog can behave strangely and in an undesirable manner.