Brittany
Overview
What Is a Brittany?
The Brittany is a French sporting breed developed primarily for upland bird hunting — pointing, flushing, and retrieving. Originally called the Brittany Spaniel (the "Spaniel" was dropped from the AKC name in 1982), it is now classified as a pointing breed. In the field, the Brittany is fast, enthusiastic, and highly effective. In the home, it is affectionate, biddable, and eager — one of the more pleasant sporting breeds to live with.
At 30–40 lbs, the Brittany is compact for a bird dog but carries the athletic ability and endurance of a much larger working dog. French and American lines exist, with French Brittanys tending to be slightly smaller and more intense in working drive; American lines are often larger and somewhat more relaxed in the home.
The essential fact about Brittanys is their energy. This is a very high-energy breed that needs real, vigorous exercise daily. Owners who provide it — through hunting, running, active play, or dog sports — find the Brittany one of the most rewarding sporting companions available. Owners who don't find them hyperactive and destructive.
Physical
What Brittanys Look Like
Medium build, lightly boned but muscular, with an alert, eager expression. The coat is medium length, either flat or wavy, with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and abdomen. Colors include orange and white, liver and white, and roan patterns. Some individuals are naturally bob-tailed.
The overall impression is of a compact, athletic dog built for covering ground. Nothing exaggerated — the breed is functional in every physical regard.
Personality
Temperament
Enthusiastic, affectionate, and genuinely biddable. Brittanys want to be engaged with their people — they're not independent thinkers like hounds, and they're not as intensely focused as some other sporting breeds. They are naturally inclined to work with their handler, which makes training straightforward.
With children, the Brittany is excellent — friendly, playful, and tolerant. With strangers, they are typically open and friendly rather than reserved. Not a guard dog by inclination; too sociable for that role.
The energetic quality that makes them outstanding in the field translates to genuine hyperactivity in the home if they're not getting enough outlet. A well-exercised Brittany can settle indoors; an under-exercised one bounces off the walls. This is the central management truth of the breed.
A Realistic Take
What I'd Tell a Friend Thinking About a Brittany
If you're an active person — runner, hiker, hunter, cyclist — the Brittany is one of the best medium-breed companions you can find. Compact enough to travel and live practically, athletic enough to genuinely keep up with serious outdoor activity, trainable enough to be pleasant to work with, and affectionate enough to be a genuine family dog. The package is excellent for the right owner.
The failure mode is predictable: someone gets a Brittany because it's a manageable size and relatively easy to train, without fully internalizing the daily exercise requirement. A Brittany needs 90+ minutes of genuine exercise, not 20 minutes of leash walking. Short the exercise and you will have a hyperactive, destructive dog no matter how well you train it.
Health-wise: hip dysplasia OFA clearance is required from any reputable breeder. Epilepsy is present in the breed at a meaningful rate — ask breeders about seizure history in the bloodline. No DNA test currently exists for Brittany epilepsy, so family history is the only available information.
Daily Life
Care Requirements
Exercise
90+ minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This is not negotiable for a Brittany. Hunting, field work, running, fetch, or active hiking meets the need. Dog sports (agility, hunt tests, field trials) are an excellent structured outlet. Without adequate exercise, expect hyperactivity, destructive behavior, and excessive barking or restlessness.
Grooming
Weekly brushing maintains the medium wavy coat. The feathering on the ears, legs, and underbelly needs occasional trimming to prevent matting and debris accumulation. Ear cleaning is important — floppy ears restrict airflow and can accumulate moisture, leading to infections. Bathe as needed after field work or heavy outdoor activity. See the Brittany grooming guide.
Training
Easy to moderate difficulty — Brittanys are naturally inclined to work with their people. Positive reinforcement works well. The challenge is focus: an enthusiastic Brittany can be easily distracted in stimulating environments. Consistent early training and good impulse control work pay off. Field training disciplines are a natural fit if hunting is the goal.
Wellness
Health & Common Conditions
Brittanys are generally healthy with a good 12–14 year lifespan. Hip dysplasia is the primary structural concern; epilepsy is a meaningful breed risk.
| Condition | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | Malformed hip joint causing pain and arthritis. OFA clearance is required from reputable breeders — do not purchase from a breeder who cannot provide OFA documentation for both parents. |
| Epilepsy | Seizure disorders occur at a notable rate in Brittanys. No current DNA test is available — ask breeders about seizure history in the bloodline. Epilepsy is manageable in most cases with medication, but is a significant quality-of-life and financial consideration. |
| Hypothyroidism | Underactive thyroid causing weight gain, lethargy, and coat changes. Manageable with daily medication. OFA thyroid clearance available. |
Ask breeders for: OFA hip (required), OFA thyroid, CAER eye exam, and honest answers about seizure history in the bloodline.
Budget
Cost of Ownership
| Expense | First Year | Annual (ongoing) |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (reputable breeder) | $800–$1,500 | — |
| Food (medium breed) | $350–$550 | $350–$550 |
| Vet (routine + puppy series) | $400–$700 | $250–$450 |
| Pet insurance | $300–$600 | $300–$600 |
| Setup (crate, supplies) | $250–$400 | — |
| Estimated Total | $2,100–$3,750 | $1,100–$2,000 |
Fit Assessment
Is a Brittany Right for You?
| Great fit if you... | Not the best fit if you... |
|---|---|
| Active owners who run, hike, hunt, or cycle regularly | Sedentary or moderately active owners who can't commit to 90+ minutes of vigorous daily exercise |
| Bird hunters wanting a compact, versatile pointing/flushing/retrieving dog | Apartment dwellers without access to significant exercise space |
| Active families with children who want an engaged, friendly companion | Owners looking for a calm, mellow companion breed |
| Owners interested in dog sports (agility, hunt tests, field trials) | Those who want a low-exercise sporting dog — that's not this breed |
| People who want a trainable sporting dog that isn't giant-sized |
Next Steps
Finding Your Brittany
Buying from a Breeder
$800–$1,500 from reputable breeders. The American Brittany Club maintains a breeder referral directory. Required clearances: OFA hip (required), OFA thyroid, CAER eye exam. Ask about seizure history in the bloodline — this is the one question you can only get answered by the breeder directly.
Rescue
Brittany rescue organizations exist across the US. Many surrendered dogs are from owners who couldn't meet exercise needs. A rescued Brittany in an active home typically transforms quickly.
Before your Brittany comes home, complete the Brittany puppy checklist — most importantly, have your daily exercise plan established before the puppy arrives.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much exercise does a Brittany really need? +
More than most owners expect from a medium-sized dog. 90+ minutes of vigorous exercise daily — not a leash walk, but actual running, active fetch, field work, or trail hiking. The Brittany was bred for a full day of hunting across varied terrain. That engine doesn't shrink just because you're not hunting. Under-exercise this breed and you will have a hyperactive, frustrated dog that destroys things.
Are Brittanys good for first-time dog owners? +
Yes — if you are genuinely active. The Brittany is biddable and relatively easy to train compared to many sporting breeds. The issue is purely exercise. A first-time owner who runs, hikes, or hunts regularly can have an excellent experience with a Brittany. A first-time owner with a more sedentary lifestyle will be overwhelmed.
What is the difference between American and French Brittanys? +
American Brittanys tend to be slightly larger (up to 40 lbs) and have been selectively bred with somewhat more moderate energy for companion and hunting use in North America. French Brittanys are typically smaller and more intensely working in drive — bred for European-style hunting. For most family companion and general hunting purposes, the American Brittany is the accessible choice. Both are classified as the same breed under AKC.
Do Brittanys do well with families and children? +
Yes — they're friendly, playful, and tolerant. The Brittany is one of the better sporting breeds for family households because they're genuinely affectionate and sociable, not just tolerant. High energy can be overwhelming for very small children, but with kids who can keep up, a Brittany is an excellent companion.
Explore More
Similar Breeds
- English Springer Spaniel — Similar size and family temperament, strong flusher/retriever, slightly less energy
- Vizsla — Similar athletic sporting profile, more velcro personality, larger build
- German Shorthaired Pointer — Larger, higher drive, versatile hunting dog, similar biddable temperament
- Irish Setter — Similar energy level, larger size, stunning coat, similarly enthusiastic temperament
