More Brittany Fun Facts

The Brittany’s country of origin is France.  The breed was developed from champion setters and spaniels owned by wealthy English hunters who would travel to France to hunt and leave their dogs with caretakers in France.  The Brittany was developed out of the line of dogs that were left with the caretakers in France.  Brittany’s were first named Brittany Spaniel until “Spaniel” was dropped in 1982. When the Brittany was accepted by the AKC in 1944, the American Brittany Club wanted the breed recognized as Brittany and not Brittany Spaniel due the breeds hunting style not resembling that of a spaniel.  The AKC would continue to recognize the breed as the Brittany Spaniel until it was discovered that the breed worked in the field not like a spaniel, but as a versatile hunting dog and the name was changed in 1982.

The Brittany is considered as part of the sporting group by the AKC.  They are also considered a Versatile Hunting dog.  The Brittany is one of six breeds of dog recognized by the AKC as a Versatile Hunting dog.  Some other dogs that are in the same hunting class are the German Shorthaired Pointer, the German Wirehaired Pointer, and the Weimaraner. A Versatile Hunting dog is a dog that has been specifically bred and trained to hunt and point game; as well as retrieve game in land and water.  They are also trained to track wounded game in land and water.   

I have posted the website that I got this information on the links page of this blog.

more info about the brittany spaniel temperment

While searching the web for more information to share about Brittany’s I found a website that talked about temperament and how they deal with other animals.  It said that if your Brittany is well socialized then it will be polite and gentle with people and with other animals. The site also said that the breed tends to be timid and have excessive submissiveness in some ways, so it is best to socialize your puppy early as to promote a confident temperament.

It also stated that Brittanys tend to be sensitive and "soft" dogs; that they are willing to please and are better responsive to a calm voice. The site also states that the breed may not do well in an environment with loud voices and a lot of tension.

The site also lists a few other traits of the breed.  Some of those are that they are good with strangers, peaceful with other animals, hyperactive when not properly exercised, may get separation anxiety, very inquisitive sniffer, excitable or submissive urination when nervous or excited and persistent whining when stressed or excited.  I have listed the site on my links page where I got this information

a little more background about the Brittany

Brittany’s are an easily trainable breed.  They are very willing to learn and please their owner.  They are a very high energy dog and need attention and a medium/large fenced yard that they can run around in.  It is highly recommended to give them adequate mental and physical exercise to keep them busy or they will find something to get into and it may not be what you want them to. 

They have a very curious temperament and are also very friendly.  They are a hunting dog and are considered a pointing breed.  They are a very independent dog and really do not play well with other dogs.  They tend to be picky towards which dogs they are friendly with.  Brittany’s are very people friendly and good with children.  Brittany’s are very affectionate and extremely friendly.  This breed is not recommended for anyone who cannot exercise the dog daily because it is a very high energy dog and requires a lot of attention.

There is very little shedding, but it is recommended to brush the dog every couple days due to there being some feathering on the dogs ears, legs and chest and it will help avoid any possible fur matting.  The Brittany is a fairly good watch dog but not recommended as a guard dog because it is a very friendly dog and may let strangers pass as “friends” instead of an intruder. 

While major health issues are not a problem, hip dysplasia, skin allergies, eye problems, and occasionally, epilepsy are sometimes seen in this breed.  The Brittany is a bird dog and considered a pointing breed.  It is used to hunt birds like grouse and pheasant.  It is also a good breed to use for pointing field trials.  The Brittany is also thought to be a cross between an English setter and small French land spaniels.  

Jasper's sick

I had to take Jasper to the vet last thursday due to a bad skin rash around his tail.  He got a shot and has to be on antibiotics for 14 days.  He's getting better.  The shot he got made him drink alot of wather and go to the bathroom alot since last thursday. Due to my husband's and my work schedule we didnt want to leave him at home alone and go to the bathroom all over the place in the house monday through today so my inlaws were nice enough to keep Jasper at their house till today.  The shot is wearing off and he's not drinking and going as much, so that is a good thing.  I'm very greatful my inlaws were nice to keep an eye on Jasper this week and will be happier when he's not on the antibiotics anymore.