Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Author Profile Photo
Written by Petco Editorial Team

About Brittany

This athletic and nimble dog is a pleasure to own. Brittanys come from France, and they traditionally worked in the fields as gundogs. Brittanys can “point” and retrieve a variety of hunted animals. They have a solid body with a compact build. Most members of the breed are sweet dogs with high intelligence and an eagerness to please. Brittanys can be very sensitive, but they are loyal and loving dogs for any owner willing to develop their skills and manners.

 

Origin: France   Other Names: Brittany Spaniel, Brittany Wiegref, Epagneul Breton, French Brittany

Sporting Group

Naturally active and alert, Sporting dogs make likeable, well-rounded companions.

Dog breeds in the Sporting group are usually remarkable for their instincts in water and woods, and many of these breeds actively continue to participate in hunting and other field activities. Potential owners of Sporting dogs need to realize that most require regular, invigorating exercise.

Petco Pet Education Center

General appearance

The Brittany breed is characterized by their floppy ears, short tails, and excellent physique built for hunting trips through the forest. They don’t have a heavy coat, but their fur is dense. The AKC recognizes seven coat colors in competition: liver & white, liver roan, liver white & orange, orange & white, orange roan, white & liver, and white & orange. For markings, the AKC lists three permissible standard markings: roan, spotted, and ticked.

Colors

This breed can be found in a variety of colors. You can check them out below.

Black

Size & Weight

Brittanys are powerful dogs in a medium-sized frame. They usually weight between 30 and 40 pounds with a height of 17-20 inches at the shoulder.

Full Grown
Female 17 in. / 30 lbs.
Male 20 in. / 40 lbs.

Height is measured up to the shoulders.

Female Size Chart
Height Figure
Male Size Chart
6 ft. 4 ft. 2 ft.

Cost of Owning

On average, owning a middle-aged Brittany costs around $950 per year
$300
Vet Care
$150
Grooming & Boarding
$200
Others
$300
Food & Treats

Characteristics

Size

Brittanys are medium-sized dogs, measuring 17-20 inches at the shoulder.

Tiny
Jumbo

Weight

Brittanys are powerful dogs in a medium-sized frame. They usually weight between 30 and 40 pounds.

Light
Heavy

Living space

Since Brittanys need a lot of exercise, it’s good to give them some space at home. A big backyard is ideal for a safe play space for your new dog. Don’t relegate them to a life stuck in a small apartment.

City apartment
Ranch

Exercise

If you live an active outdoor lifestyle, this is the dog for you. Brittanys have a big gas tank when it comes to energy and stamina. Without at least 45-60 minutes of exercise each day, they often develop behavioral problems. One of the best methods to burn off their excess energy is running off leash, but you need to train them to return at your call.

Couch potato
Bring it on!

Personality

Brittanys are alert and playful dogs. Eager to please, they often bond closely with their human family. If you use them for hunting, they are focused and devoted companions. Brittanys are smart and independent thinkers. They can be sensitive and emotional, so it’s best to use positive training techniques.

Antisocial
Outgoing

Protection

This breed doesn’t make a very good guard dog. Brittanys are very tolerant and playful with strangers. This is an all-around friendly dog with a big, sensitive heart.

None
Bodyguard

Behavior with kids

Brittanys are perfect dogs for families with children. They are generous and playful companions with an abundance of patience for the little ones. Always supervise new additions to playtime, and make sure everyone knows the right way to handle a dog. Don’t be afraid to show young children how to approach and pet a Brittany.

Always monitor
Babysitter

Training

Brittanys are easy to train if you know the right tactics. Harsh correction and negative reinforcement techniques are not a good idea. This dog is a sensitive and perceptive one – rely on positive training methods and lots of love instead.

Headstrong
Obedient

Shedding

Brittanys aren’t known for their excessive shedding, but any long-haired dog will produce some stray hairs for you to clean. Invest in good tools and use your grooming sessions to bond with your dog. Regular brushing will help to reduce the potential for loose hairs.

Minimal
Abundant

Climate

Although a Brittany will stand up to long, cold days in the fields, they generally prefer a temperate climate. Britannys don’t like to sleep outside – a spot by the fire is much better. They tend to do better in cold weather than hot, but any extreme temperatures will take a toll on a Brittany eventually. Always keep an eye on your dog for signs of distress over long periods of exposure.

Warm
Cold

Barking

While they aren’t known to be loud dogs, Brittanys will sound the alarm when something piques their interest. If a Brittany is howling all night, it’s probably a sign of distress or anxiety that warrants veterinary attention.

Mute
Loud

Temperament & Behavior

Brittanys are strong and agile dogs with a historic role as bird dogs. They can point, retrieve, and track animals with ease. At home, they are loving and gentle companions with a friendly and happy disposition. Brittanys need lots of exercise and attention – the breed suffers from separation anxiety if left alone all day. If you can’t devote at least an hour per day to exercise your Brittany, it’s worth hiring some help from a dog walker to make sure your dog is happy and healthy. Generally, the breed is friendly, alert, and easy to train.

Barking: Understanding your dog

Brittanys are not big barkers, but they will quickly raise the alarm if they sense something is wrong. Sometimes, a Brittany will bark out of excitement, but this is not common. Overall, the Brittany is a polite and well-manned breed. Howling or excessive barking is likely a sign of a problem rather than a common feature of the breed.

Training

Since they are such sensitive dogs, it’s important to understand your Brittany before you dive into training head-first. One of the key things to remember is that you are dealing with an overly sensitive breed. The Brittany is very smart and perceptive, and they don’t take well to harsh or negative training. Be firm, but focus on the positives and offer your loving support during the training process.

Habits and Exercise

When it comes to exercise, your Brittany is a willing partner no matter how far you want to go. They love to run free, so it’s a good idea to focus on return call and obedience early in life. Proper socialization is another key for young Brittanys. It’s always a good idea to expose them to a wide variety of places, people, and situations to instill confidence and proper manners. If you aren’t sure how to properly train your Brittany, read on for some tips specific to the breed.

Energy Level

Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Energy Level

Nutrition

As an active breed, Brittanys require portion-controlled meals of a high quality balanced diet to maintain their energy requirements. Brittanys can become overweight if they are not sufficiently exercised or are overfed, so avoid offering too many treats or table scraps regardless of their pleading eyes.

Daily Consumption

Average daily consumption for an adult Brittany is 1-2 cups

Daily Consumption

Preventive care

Keeping your Brittany active is beneficial for their overall physical and mental health. A high level of activity will help to maintain a healthy and lean body weight. Feeding carefully portioned meals and avoiding treats or table scraps in excess will also help to keep your dog in tip-top shape.

 

Even if your Brittany appears to be healthy at home, this is no reason to skip regular veterinary visits. Your veterinarian has extensive training to pick up on subtle changes, which can pick up on problems earlier, allowing for prompt treatment. This can be beneficial both for your Brittany and often for your wallet as well.

Inherited health issues

Several health conditions occur in Brittanys either at an increased frequency in the breed or as a result of genetics. Responsible breeders perform screening tests on their breeding animals in an attempt to decrease the incidence of these conditions in their puppies. These may include but are not limited to the following: histoplasmosis, spinal muscular atrophy, retinal dysplasia, hip dysplasia and sudden acquired retinal degeneration.

Life Span

On average, Brittanys live to be about 12-14 years old.

Life Span

Did you know?

  • Brittany enthusiasts fought a long battle to drop the “Spaniel” from the official breed name. The AKC referred to the breed as Brittany Spaniels up until 1982. The winning argument was the dissimilarity of the Brittany’s hunting style to that of a traditional spaniel dog.
  • Some Brittanys are able to track a wounded animal – a useful skill for any game hunting companion. They have a good sense of smell and a body capable of tracking prey for hours.
  • Although the breed is named after a region of France, the breeding line came from a group of wealthy English hunters who tended to leave their hunting dogs behind with their French staff when they went back home at the end of the hunting season. For some reason, the name Brittany won out over “Actually English but Lives in Brittany.”
  • During World War II, professional dog breeding became difficult if not impossible. After the war, the French breeding community was forced to allow black spotted Brittanys into the official ranks of the Brittany. Most kennel clubs accept black spots, but they remain disqualified from American and Canadian clubs.

Coat and Grooming

The Brittany is fairly low maintenance in terms of grooming and coat care. They don’t have a heavy coat, but it’s still a good idea to give them a good brushing on a regular schedule. Daily grooming is probably overkill, but don’t let it go longer than a week between brushings. Bathing and shampooing is only required when you really start to notice the smell!

Coat length

Long

Coat length

Grooming

Occasional

Grooming

Shedding

Brittanys will shed a moderate amount, so it’s crucial to spend time on grooming tasks to minimize the impact on your home. Regular brushing and bathing will contain some of the stray hairs, and a good shampoo will ensure a healthy coat. Start regular grooming when your Brittany is still a puppy both to help acclimate your puppy to the handling required with grooming and to build a bond with your new dog.

History

The earliest records of Brittanys came in the form of paintings and woven tapestries from the 1600s. Small liver and white dogs featured prominently in many works. The modern incarnation of the Brittany breed came in the 1800s in Brittany, France. Two hunters, one French and one English, bred their two favorite hunting dogs to create the forefather of the Brittany line. As dog shows grew in popularity into the 1900s, the Brittany often found success in competition. The first breed recognition came in France in 1908.

 

The Brittany came to America in 1931 and became an instant hit with dog owners. The breed won recognition with the AKC in 1934. Shortly after, the American Brittany Club formed in 1942 with a new American standard based largely on the French Brittany of the day.

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?
Is your dog's dry skin a concern? A certified vet offers expert advice on finding the best fish-based dog food alternatives to Science Diet for essential oils.
Updated on February 04, 2026
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why is my pet's swollen lump with green patches not getting better?
Is your pet's swollen, green-patched infection still bothering them after treatment? A certified veterinarian discusses proper diagnosis methods like biopsy and FNA.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Are pet and human cancers similar? What are the main differences?
Curious about animal vs. human cancers? A certified vet explains key differences in cancer types and treatments, even though the disease process is the same.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Dog licking paws, fur loss, and jaw wound: Could it be allergies?
Is your Shih-Tzu crossbreed biting his feet, losing fur, or has a wound? A trusted vet explains these classic allergy signs and advises on treatments like Apoquel or medicated shampoo.
Updated on September 23, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
Is there a chart for dog food protein biological value and digestibility?
Dog food protein's biological value & digestibility: A vet explains why data is complex. Learn to judge quality by company reputation and your dog's health.
Updated on September 23, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why does my puppy have bloody, mucousy stools despite diet changes?
Your 4-month-old puppy suffers from ongoing loose stools with mucus and blood. An expert veterinarian explores potential intestinal parasites and advises further fecal testing. Find answers here!
Updated on September 23, 2025