Brittany Spaniel
The Brittany Spaniel is a gun dog that is used for bird hunting. Although it is a member of the spaniel group, it is often compared to a pointer or a setter in its hunting capabilities. Unlike other spaniels that are normally smaller in stature, the Brittany Spaniel is a larger dog that is just a bit smaller than the size of a pointer or retriever.
History Of Brittany Spaniel
The Brittany Spaniel hails from France and is also known under other names such as the Brittany Pointer as well as the American Brittany. The breed is recognized by the AKC although the breed is often referred to as an American Brittany instead of the Brittany Spaniel. The breed of dog has been popular with hunters in France, the United Kingdom and in the United States for centuries and is said to be a cross between a Spaniel and a Pointer at one time. The Brittany Spaniel is most often found in the United Kingdom and in France where they are used in hunting, although they are also used as gun dogs in the United States.
Appearance Of The Brittany Spaniel
The Brittany Spaniel is about 20 inches high and males may be a bit taller. The weight of the dog is about 40 pounds. It is a mid sized dog with long hair, characteristic of a spaniel. The ears of the Brittany Spaniel are large and floppy, with hair on the outside, also very characteristic of a spaniel. It is an ideal gun dog for someone who wants a compact dog that can also cover a lot of ground. Brittany Spaniels have long legs and have much energy, similar to a setter. American Brittany Spaniels often are orange and white although you will also find them in various shades of orange to brown. Field dogs generally have more variety in their coat than show dogs to make them stand out in the field. Field dogs and show dogs of the Brittany Spaniel do not differentiate in size, although some hunters will cut the hair on the Brittany Spaniel in the summer to relieve it of its long coat, a luxury not afforded to show dogs.
Use Of Brittany Spaniel
Unlike other spaniels that are used to flush out game, the Brittany Spaniel is distinctive because it points. The breed is a very intelligent breed that can be taught to flush out prey and hunts very similar in the manner of a setter. They are ideal for hunting birds and upland game. They can also be taught to retrieve game as well. They are the ideal hunting companion for someone who wants a dog that is intelligent, compact and can point, flush and retrieve, although they are more inclined to point and must be taught the latter two skills.
When you train a Brittany Spaniel, remember that it is a dog that has a very good nature and will learn best by positive reinforcement training methods. They do not react well to training with electronic collars. In addition to being excellent all around hunting companions, the Brittany Spaniel will get along with other members of the family, is good with children and even gets along well with other animals. They are very active animals so they do need to have plenty of exercise and very much enjoy hunting in a wide open field.
