Brittany Dog Breed

The Brittany has floppy ears, an athletic body and a soft, intelligent expression on its face. Liver, orange, and white are the usual breed colors. Some have a long tail which is usually cropped, whereas others have a short tail. This breed was bred as a pointing dog, for finding birds and then retrieving them once they were shot. This means that they are good runners and enjoy hunting and being outside. In America they are used for upland game – they are quick, good at what they do and able to find lots of birds.

It is not that easy to tell when they are on point, apart from that they stop moving. It is generally agreed that like with most things, the more practice they get at hunting, the better they will get.

Adaptability

Brittanys make great family dogs, but need a lot of exercise, training and attention, so do not do well as kennel or outdoor dogs. They also should not be kept in an apartment – they were bred as hunting dogs and are very active indoors.

If they are left on their own for too long, negative behavior might result – such as barking and chewing. They also have a tendency to whine if they are under stress or over-excited. They get on best with a large fenced-in yard or farm to play and run around in. They are resistant to cold and damp weather.

Friendliness

A very kid-friendly dog, the Brittany loves children, and is affectionate with his family. He is wary of strangers, but not aggressive, and can even be shy if not socialized well. Brittanys have a high prey drive, so you will need to be careful with small animals – but they can get along with cats if they are raised with them.

Grooming

A weekly brushing is good for a Brittany’s coat, and a bath can be given when needed. Their teeth should be brushed a few times a week, and their nails trimmed regularly. They shed lightly all year round, though a little heavier in the warmer seasons. They should be checked for fleas or ticks. If you are taking them to a show then they will need some trimming to make them neat.

Trainability

Brittanys are smart and eager to please, so they are easily trained, and sensitive to instruction. They can be trained to do all kinds of sports, as well as hunting, and with their energy these are ideal activities for them.

Gentle and sensitive, these dogs need patient instruction with positive reinforcement. It is best to start training early, as well as socialization, so they get used to being around people and animals. Some are more stubborn and independent than others, depending on their individual personality. Because of their intelligence, they may try to manipulate you and play up if you’re training them to do something they don’t want to do. But as long as you don’t give in, they should get it.

Some Brittanys can get over-excited or nervous and dribble urine – this is called excitable or submissive urination. It can happen if they are getting scolded, or if they meet someone they don’t know, or if they are over-excited while playing. Don’t punish them for it, and it might go away over time.

Exercise Needs

Highly energetic, Brittanys do need regular active exercise. They like running in wide open spaces and are lively inside the house if they don’t get enough exercise. An hour a day of exercise is ideal. They do best with an active owner who is outdoors a lot, and enjoy hunting and sports activities. Competitions that Brittanys are often entered in include Field Trials, Dog Shows, Hunting Tests, Obedience Trials, Tracking Tests, and Agility Trials.