Brittany
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Connect with certified breeders who have Brittany puppies available.
Find Brittany BreedersGet to Know Brittanys
- Not a Spaniel: Despite being called 'Brittany Spaniel' for decades, the AKC dropped 'Spaniel' from the name in 1982 because the breed points rather than flushes game.
- Dual Champions: The Brittany has produced more AKC Dual Champions (winning both field and show titles) than any other sporting breed—a testament to its versatility.
- Naturally Short-Tailed: Many Brittanys are born with naturally short tails or are tailless, a distinctive breed characteristic.
- French Heritage: The breed's development in the Brittany region of France is closely tied to the local hunting traditions and the rugged landscape of northwestern France.
Breed History
The Brittany (formerly Brittany Spaniel) originates from the Brittany province of northwestern France, where it was developed as a versatile gun dog in the 17th and 18th centuries. The breed was a favorite of poachers and peasant hunters because it could point, retrieve, and work on both land and water. The first recorded Brittany was bred around 1850, and the breed gained French kennel club recognition in 1907. They arrived in the United States in 1931 and quickly became one of America's most popular sporting breeds.
Personality and Behaviour
- Boundless Energy: Brittanys are among the most energetic sporting breeds. They need significant daily exercise and are best suited to active, outdoor-loving families.
- Eager & Willing: They are remarkably eager to please and respond enthusiastically to training. Their cooperative nature makes them a joy to work with.
- Sensitive & Gentle: Brittanys are soft-natured dogs that respond poorly to harsh treatment. Gentle, positive training methods bring out their best qualities.
- Social & Happy: They are friendly with everyone—people, children, and other dogs. They thrive on companionship and become unhappy when isolated.
Care
- Exercise: Brittanys need at least 60 to 90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise. They excel at hunting, agility, hiking, and running. Without sufficient outlet for their energy, they can become hyperactive and anxious.
- Grooming: Their flat or wavy medium-length coat needs brushing once or twice weekly. Check for burrs and debris after outdoor adventures. Trim feathering on ears and legs as needed.
- Diet: Feed a high-quality food for active medium-sized breeds. Adjust calories based on activity level—active hunters may need significantly more food during the season.
- Health: Generally a healthy breed. Watch for hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and some eye conditions. Responsible breeders test for these. Their long lifespan (12-14 years) reflects the breed's overall good health.
Brittany Summary
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Brittany Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Brittany is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Brittany
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Brittany puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Brittany, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Brittany is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.










