Brittany
Also known as Breton
- Height at the withers
- 46 to 52 cm
- Weight
- 13 to 18 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- Brittany, France
- FCI group
- 7 · Pointing dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with young children
- a first dog
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
- living with a cat
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a sedentary life: plan on 120 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
A medium-sized, compact and energetic pointing dog, white and orange, white and liver or white and black, with a fine, lightly feathered coat. Versatile at pointing as well as retrieving, this agile hunter combines stamina and intelligence.
History and origins
Dogs of this type appear in paintings and prints as early as the 17th century, but the modern breed was fixed in the late 19th century in central Brittany, with some English Setter blood. The breed club and the first standard date from 1907.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Idiopathic epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Ear infections
- Complement C3 deficiency
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, low coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Very easy, 5 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Good fit, 4 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Quiet, 2 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Brittany FAQ
How big does the Brittany get?
The Brittany stands 46 to 52 cm at the withers and weighs 13 to 18 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Brittany shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs little care.
Can the Brittany live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Brittany need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Brittany good with children?
Yes: patient and gentle, it is an excellent family dog, even with young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Brittany live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip dysplasia and idiopathic epilepsy.
