Ratings

Breed Introduction

The Brittany Spaniel is a versatile breed used for flushing and retrieving game. As a long-haired, droopy-eared dog, its behavior is quite similar to that of the Setter breeds. The breed was originally named after its place of origin—a province in France. It was not until 1934 that the American Kennel Club (AKC) registered this droopy-eared, long-haired breed, naming it the Brittany Spaniel, which is smaller in size compared to the Setter breeds but larger than the long-haired droopy-eared dogs. It has a short tail and a pair of very distinctive long ears.

The Brittany Spaniel is well-loved in America for its commendable qualities as a hunting dog. Its smaller size and natural hunting abilities cater to the needs of modern American female hunters. Its top-notch sense of smell and strong hunting drive are the two main characteristics of this breed. Its smaller size makes it more suitable for urban living compared to some larger hunting breeds. Its vision and hearing, along with the range achievable by its smaller size, make it more suitable for hunting grounds today, which are often near densely intersected road networks and fences.

Many Brittany Spaniel breeders hold the belief that they want their dogs to have an attractive appearance while also being good hunting dogs. For this purpose, dog shows featuring Brittany Spaniels have been held in the U.S. for nearly 30 years, during which over 150 dogs of this breed have won dual championship titles for both their beautiful appearance and hunting prowess.