Introduction
Pet dogs are part of the family in most households globally. According to a global survey, one-third of families globally have a dog. This makes a dog man’s best furry companion.
A Brittany dog is agile, clever, and alert. The pooch is also affectionate and accommodative. This makes it a solid choice for companionship.
But there’s a lot more to Brittany dogs than meets the eye. The goal is to walk you through all you need to know about this dog breed, especially its upsides and risk factors. This way, you can figure out ways to manage a Brittany dog when you finally adopt one.
What is Brittany Dog Breed?
Yes, there are many dog breeds out there. However, only a few pooches are versatile. For example, a Brittany dog is a breed of canine bred solely for hunting birds and rabbits. However, this does not mean that it cannot serve another purpose.
Brittany dogs are known for their loving and empathetic nature. This means that aside from hunting, they can make excellent family dogs. Once you get along well with them, they can also be loyal friends. In this case, they will support and protect you at all costs.
In any case, a Brittany dog breed is also known by some other names. These include “French Brittany,” Brittany Wiegref,” “Brittany Spaniel,” and “Epagneul Breton.” In other cases, they are also described as “pointing dogs” or hunting dogs” because they aim their noses at specific spots to draw the attention of their owners or breeders to where their targets are.
Although most Brittany owners are made to believe that a Brittany dog is a Spaniel, this perspective is inaccurate since the American Kennel Club (AKC) regrouped it as a mere Brittany in 1984. It is because Brittany dogs have a lower genetic composition than Spaniels.
Although Brittany dogs resemble some Spaniel breeds, such as Welsh Springer Spaniel, it’s only in form and not in substance. This dog breed exhibits the characteristics of a pointing breed or multi-sports dog rather than a Spaniel.
A Brittany puppy can vary in look, coat, shape, size, and color. Its coat usually comes in black, white, tan, and orange colors. However, some Brittany dogs have dark brown coats, which are scarce.
Wherever you find it, a Brittany dog is a force to be reckoned with. Neither its appearance nor personality is usually below par, especially in a show ring.
Brittany Dog Breed Types
There are typically two types of Brittany dog breeds. These include the American Brittany and the French Brittany. Although they are a part of the same breed, there are marked differences between them. These distinctions cut across their appearances, body size, hunting styles, and personalities.
In any case, French Brittany usually has a black color gene. So even if its coat has an orange color, its nose will probably have a black hue. On the other hand, the American Brittany typically allows orange or tan coats, and the nose is usually a brown hue.
A French Brittany tends to have a short and compact body. On the other hand, an American Brittany has a larger body. It’s more agile than its French counterpart as far as hunting is concerned. Its long legs are made for running fast.
Based on popular opinions, French and American Brittanys have different hunting styles. In this case, the American Brittany hunts better from a vast distance due to its long legs. In the same breath, the French Brittany tends to hunt from a shorter distance due to its medium-sized legs.
Both the French and American Brittany are energetic and good-natured dogs. They’re known for their devotion and craftiness. For instance, if they are tired after spending a long time in the field, they can lure their breeders away so that they can take a break.
How To Take Care Of A Brittany Dog(Brittany Dog Breed Information: What To Expect
It’s not just a pleasure to raise a Brittany dog or any other dog. It’s a big responsibility.
Brittany dogs rely on us for a healthy diet and other necessities of life. Hence, Brittany owners need to understand that with dog ownership comes immense devotion. So you must do all you can to ensure your pet stays in good shape.
Wherever Brittany Spaniel stays or goes, it’s either jumping, running or hunting. It does not get easily tired because it is in its nature. So you will need to keep it in a vast yard so that it can use up some of its excess energy. This is its biggest need.
Brittany dogs are not designed for an urban life or apartment life. For instance, it sucks to keep them within your apartment chained up all day. It can negatively impact its temperament and hunting styles. They need an environment where they can freely loiter, and urban life doesn’t always offer this.
However, Brittany owners can help their pets become more adaptable to an apartment life when they can offer them the kind of exercise they need.
The fascinating part of rearing a Brittany Spaniel is that they are resistant to cold, especially during hunting. So you wouldn’t need to tend to any cold-related injuries and illnesses after enjoying a stroll on a frosty winter evening with your pet. However, this does not mean you should always expose it to such conditions. Generally, pooches can develop hypothermia, frostbite, and pneumonia when exposed to extreme cold.
Caring for Brittany dogs is as important as caring for yourself. You don’t only gain a sense of responsibility. When you take good care of your canines, they always come through whenever you need them.
Caring for Brittany puppies cuts across their training needs, grooming needs, health, feeding styles, and many others.
Brittany Dog Training
Training is important for Brittany puppies. Their keen nature makes them unconventional thinkers. As a pointing breed, they also have a strong hunting drive. Hence, it’s important to train them early to make rational decisions when needed.
One surefire way to get started is to teach them the basics of communication. For instance, you could help your Brittany puppy get familiar with everyday command expressions such as “stay,” “sit,” and “eat.” These fundamentals are essential to help to keep your canine in check as they mature. Although Brittany owners may not be able to give their pets all the training they need, they can help them to live a little better.
Just like other dogs, Brittany Spaniel is more receptive to reward-based training. This means that you will need to reward this pointing breed with special treats when they perform well. You can also redirect them when they have not done a good job. However, make sure to ease off before any of you get exhausted.
Socialization is another essential requirement for Brittany Spaniel. They need to know what attitudes are correct when they want to approach someone outside their household. So take a stroll with your Brittany puppy and let them socialize with new puppies and people.
If you don’t have enough time to train your Brittany Spaniel, you can enroll them in a dog school. This way, they can learn how to connect better with other dogs.
Brittany Dog Grooming
It’s easy to picture your Brittany dog spinning around and panting, “Let’s continue grooming, cupcake!” This breed’s coat is equivalent to your favorite cotton shirt. It is usually sassy and catchy.
Brittany dogs are one of the easiest canines to groom. This is because they shed less, making them require minimal brushing. So all you need to do is to keep their coats in excellent shape with weekly brushing. Also, make sure that you brush them with a soft brush to remove dirt.
Brittany owners should also complement the soft brush used for brushing with a pet comb. In this way, they can get rid of dirt in the most fragile parts of their pet’s body, such as ears, bellies, and legs. Also, ensure you wipe out the dirt with a non-toxic product to prevent health-related issues. Again, hypoallergenic pooch wipes are an excellent choice.
Since the physical examination is necessary, your job is to ensure that your Brittany puppy gets used to it. Check its ears and mouth for signs of infection, such as inflammation, wounds, or any strange objects, especially if your canine has visited a bushy terrain. Make grooming an alluring experience with your dog; you will lay a solid superstructure for easy medical exams.
Bathing your Brittany dogs every month will make them smell nice. They’re good to go with a quick swipe with hypoallergenic bath wipes.
The post-bath time is the best time for nail trimming because the bathing process softens your pet’s nails. However, if you can hear the “click-clack” sound of the nails on the floor, they’re too sharp and long. So you need to trim their nails once or twice every month or as much as possible. This way, you can keep your canine’s feet in shape, especially from claw and nail disorders.
Brushing your pet’s coat or trim its nails is not enough. You should also brush your teeth at least two times per week. Doing so can prevent dental infections leading to bad breath, acute gum erosion, periodontitis, tooth loss, and many others.
Most medical professionals recommend brushing your pet’s teeth daily if possible. However, if you’re stuck, you should contact a veterinarian. Get an intensive toothbrushing guide from him/her. Or you could enroll your Brittany puppy for regular professional cleaning.
Brittany Dog Health
To secure a healthy breed, make sure that you buy your Brittany dog from a reputable pet store or breeder. Look for the ones that can show proof that the dogs are free from specific diseases or conditions. As far as Brittany Spaniels are concerned, you will need to see health clearances from medical bodies such as Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals certifying that the dog is not suffering from hip dysplasia and other similar conditions.
Generally, Brittany dogs are healthy. However, like other dogs, they are susceptible to certain risk factors. The truth is that not every Brittany canine will suffer from these conditions. However, it’s important to be conversant with them if you want to raise a dog.
Below is a list of health conditions that could affect Brittany dogs. These conditions are caused by genetics, diet, environment, uncleanliness, improper exercise, hormones, irregular medical check-ups, and many others. They are as follows:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that causes deformity in the hip joint. The hip joint is spheroidal. During growth, the spheroidal joints in the pelvis must grow at the same pace.
In any case, hip dysplasia disrupts uniform growth, especially when dogs are much younger. The implication is that the dog will develop loose joint syndrome. If care is not taken, it will lead to osteoarthritis or acute joint disease. The degree of deformity caused by this condition depends on the severity of arthritis.
Some of the symptoms of hip dysplasia include:
- Severe pain in the hip joints.
- Stiffness.
- Numbness.
- Bunny hopping.
- Decreased activity.
- Swaying gait.
Physical examination and Radiographs are the most prominent methods of diagnosing hip dysplasia. Clinical signs are also one surefire way to evaluate the condition. Brittany owners must check the hips of their pets for any hip dysplasia conditions.
With the early discovery, hip dysplasia is treatable with vaccines, physical therapy, surgery, weight management, and many others.
Obesity
Brittany dogs are agile. When they eat excess food or don’t get enough exercise, they will become obese. When your dog is obese or overweight, it has excess body fat.
Bird dog lovers should keep it at the back of their minds that obesity is a recipe for disaster as far as their dog’s health is concerned. It reduces a Brittany dog’s life span and makes it more susceptible to diseases.
Overweight dogs are prone to cancer, hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, acute joint disease, bladder stones, and many others. It can also indicate chronic health conditions such as Cush’s disease.
Hence, bird dog lovers should ensure that their pooches have a defined waist. If there are signs of obesity, you can adjust your dog’s feeding to a specific portion. There are nutritional products to help with weight management in your pets. However, it sucks to reduce its meal frequency out of the blue. It can cause malnutrition.
Make sure that your pet’s diet has lower calorie density to strike a balance between healthy nutrition and weight management. Your veterinarian can help you to figure out how to work around this.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder that slows down a puppy’s metabolism. Every dog breed is prone to this condition. Hence, every dog owner needs to guard against it.
If your pooch is obese, it increases the risk of hypothyroidism. This is because once its thyroid hormones stop working accurately, it impacts your pet’s body fat. The hormones might reduce or increase the fat, leading to obesity or malnutrition.
Like other dogs, the symptoms of hypothyroidism in Brittany dogs are as follows:
- Cold intolerance.
- Ear infections.
- Numbness.
- Slow heart rate
- Lethargy.
- Obesity.
- Reproductive problems.
- Hair loss.
If your canine has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the veterinarian may recommend hormone-replacement medications. However, it will take some time for your dog to recover. Your dog will need to engage in regular bloodwork to track its treatment progress.
Cataracts
Although Brittany dogs see a little differently, they suffer from similar eye conditions as human beings. Eye conditions such as Cataracts are usually a potential health concern.
Pets develop cataracts as they mature. Their eyes have proteins. Cataracts come into play when proteins clump together and prevent light from entering the eye’s lens. If you do not seek medical attention as early as possible, it may lead to glaucoma or blindness.
Cataracts are a genetic trait in canines. So if your Brittany’s parents had it, chances are that your pet might also develop it. Other causes of cataracts in dogs include sugar diabetes, eye injuries, old age, and many others. Sometimes, it does not have any cause.
Monitor your pooch for any changes in the structure or color of its eyes. If you have any concerns, you should reach out to a vet. Most eye conditions in pets are treatable with vaccines or surgery depending on their severity.
Cleft Palate
Cleft palate is a prevalent condition among every canine breed. It is a growth defect in the roof of the mouth that occurs during the prenatal stage. The effect is usually a hole between the nose and the mouth. Most times, you will see the hole in your dog’s lips or along the roof of the mouth.
Like cataracts and hip dysplasia, cleft palate is a genetic condition. In any case, purebred pooches such as a Brittany dog, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Bulldog, and many others are more prone to it than their mixed breed counterparts. Other primary causes of cleft palate include malnutrition and viruses affecting the puppy’s mother during gestation.
The treatment procedure depends on several conditions. These include age, the severity of the condition, and other accompanying conditions such as aspiration pneumonia. For instance, if surgery is required, dogs suffering from aspiration pneumonia will be placed on antibiotics before the surgery.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is the most prominent neurological condition in canines. It is a condition that comprises recurrent seizures.
The condition is usually caused by two major factors. These include genetics and deformity in the brain. Sometimes, a dog may well develop the symptom without any significant cause.
If your dog has had a few seizures, it is important to schedule an appointment with your vet. However, before this, you need to provide an inventory containing when and how often the seizures occur. You also need to prepare for other pieces of information that the vet might want to ask. In this way, the vet can determine appropriate treatment measures for your dog.
Brittany Dog Exercise
Stroll, jump, play games, hunt, repeat. Your Brittany is an athlete. It needs regular exercise. Consider an hour or an hour and thirty minutes every day. It will keep them positive and healthy.
If you don’t help your Brittanies to exercise, they will come up with ways to relax. Do you know what this means? You’re inviting trouble. Supervising your pets during exercise helps you to keep them in check.
One upside of exercising with your pet is that you get to spend a substantial amount of time with them. You will also get to monitor their fitness progress. Take them on weekend trips for hikes and other adventures.
If you fancy some friendly tournaments, you should allow your pets to participate in dog sports. Since Brittany dogs are versatile, they can thrive well in several sports. These include flyball, agility, obedience sports, and many others.
Brittanies have gorgeous appearance. You can take advantage of this in the show ring. A Brittany canine is one of those unique breeds that takes the prizes home in dog shows. In one way or the other, your pet is both exercising and having some fun.
Brittany Dog Feeding
According to the American Kennel Club, Brittany Spaniels survive better on healthy commercial food or homemade food. You must consider your pet’s age and foods that fit its age.
Since this dog breed lives an active lifestyle, they need robust portions of food. They also need highly proteinous foods such as chicken, soybeans, pork, corn, wheat, liver, and many others. However, you should consult your vet to be on the safer side.
Make sure that clean and fresh water is also available for your dog every day. Brittany dogs on a dry food diet should consume more water than dogs on a wet food diet.
Brittany Temperament
Brittany temperament is typically a positive one. It is a lively and loving pet that loves socializing with people within and outside its family. This dog breed makes an excellent companion because they enjoy spending time with their family every step of the way.
Brittanies are intelligent and flexible. So they are always primed for action at the shortest notice. This is because they enjoy many activities. So prepare to play with them every morning or evening.
Brittany puppies do not fancy homes with a lot of commotion. They are sensitive creatures who want peace in the home. Even if you are always shouting at someone or something in your home, it may cause anxiety disorder in your dog.
Even though Brittanies like rough play, they are not aggressive. They have tender mouths, which allow them to control the intensity of their bites. In this case, they can easily play with children and other pets without harming them. However, this does not mean that dog owners should keep their children with dogs for a prolonged period.
Their happy-go-lucky temperament means that they are always ready to share their toys or other treats with their family members.
FAQ
Are Brittany Dogs Smart?
Of course! Brittanies are one of the smartest creatures that you will ever meet. They point and retrieve objects in the field effortlessly. It’s no wonder that they are the dream of every bird-dog lover.
Do Brittany Dogs Shed?
Brittany Spaniels shed a little because they have compact and wavy hair. However, with frequent brushing, you can minimize the shedding.
Is Brittany Dog A Good Family Dog?
Of course! Brittany canines are good family dogs when they receive adequate care and training. They are loving, gentle, and patient with their loved ones. In this way, they can become the social butterfly of the family.
What Dogs Make Up A Brittany Dog?
The French and American Brittanies make up a Brittany dog. Even though they have different origins, they are of the same breed. The differences between them include their hunting styles, body sizes, and color genes.
Are Brittany Spaniels Rare?
Partially. However, they are one of the most popular breeds in the United States of America. This is because of their endearing nature.
What Dog Is Similar To A Brittany Dog?
Most people confuse an English Springer Spaniel with a Brittany dog. This is because sometimes, their sizes, ear shapes, and length of their tails can be similar.
However, the primary difference between the breeds is that Springer Spaniels have thicker ears than Brittanies.
Are Brittany Dogs Good Hunting Dogs?
Yes! According to the American Kennel Club, Brittany dogs are excellent hunting dogs. They are easy to train because they like to have their fingers on every pie. This dog breed is always primed for action because they have strong prey instincts.
Conclusion
Brittany canines, also known as French Brittany, American Brittany, Brittany Spaniel, and many others. They are the kingpins in dog shows, agility competitions, and your apartment. There’s never a dull moment with this cute creature because they can participate in many activities. The best part is that Brittanies look charming when they are involved!
Related topic: 18 Farm dogs that are a good match for country living
*photo by Cavan – depositphotos