Brittany Spaniel: how to recognise an Épagneul Breton
Compact, leggy and often born with a short tail, the Brittany is a pointing dog in a spaniel’s coat. Upload a photo and see which breeds your dog is closest to.
Also known as: Brittany Spaniel, Épagneul Breton, Epagneul Breton
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About the Brittany
The Brittany comes from the countryside of central Brittany in north-west France, where it was fixed in the early 20th century as a compact, all-round gun dog. Although long called a spaniel, it works like a pointer: it quarters the ground, finds birds and freezes on point. The FCI places it with the continental pointing dogs, and the AKC dropped “Spaniel” from its name in 1982. It is a medium-sized, energetic and affectionate dog that responds to gentle training and is happiest with plenty of outdoor work, whether hunting, canicross or long country walks.
At a glance
- Type
- Pedigree breed
- Size
- Medium
- Adult weight
- 14–20 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- Very high
How to recognise a Brittany
- Compact, square and leggy: about as tall as it is long, with a short back and a lighter frame than a Springer.
- Fine, flat or slightly wavy coat with light feathering on the ears, legs and belly; never heavily feathered like a setter.
- Colours: orange and white, liver and white, black and white, tricolour or roan. The FCI accepts black; the AKC standard excludes it.
- Many are born with a short tail or none at all; others carry a short or docked tail level with the back.
- Ears set high, fairly short and triangular, lying flat; rounded skull with a gently sloping stop and a straight muzzle.
- Eyes amber to brown, matching the coat, with a lively, kind expression.
Photo tip. Take the photo side-on with the tail in view. A square, leggy outline with a short tail and high, flat ears separates a Brittany from Springers and setters.
Brittany or look-alike?
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Also red and white, but longer in the body, with lower-set, longer ears and a longer tail. The Brittany looks squarer and leggier, with shorter ears set higher on the head.
French Spaniel (Épagneul Français)
Taller and rangier, always liver and white, with a long feathered tail and longer ears. A short or absent tail usually settles it in favour of the Brittany.
Cocker Spaniel
Smaller and lower to the ground, with long, low-set, heavily feathered ears and a rounder head. Cockers also come in solid colours, which a Brittany never does.
Brittany mixes
Brittanys are mostly bred pure for hunting, but crosses with Springers, Setters and Pointers happen on working farms, and Brittany x Poodle crosses exist as companions. The orange-and-white or liver-and-white patching and the short tail are the traits most often passed on, together with the light, leggy build. Because many spaniels and pointers share that colouring, the identifier lists the closest breeds rather than one name; a DNA test gives percentages.
Health and care
- Hip dysplasia is known in the breed; ask for official hip scores on both parents before choosing a puppy.
- Progressive retinal atrophy is reported, along with epilepsy and cerebellar abiotrophy. A recent eye exam on both parents is worth asking for.
- Very high exercise needs: off-lead running, retrieving or canicross every day. An under-exercised Brittany gets noisy and restless.
- After walks in long grass, check ears, paws and coat for grass seeds. A weekly brush keeps the light coat in order.
- Calorie needs climb during the shooting season; reduce portions when activity drops so weight stays steady all year.