But their guarding begins and ends with sounding the alarm. Visit any of our retail locations for outdoor apparel and gear, dog beds and accessories, and to test out a new fly rod at our in-store, full-service fly shops. After long days on the hunt, they'll have energy left over for playing when you return home. Brittany mixes are available at shelters, though they are not a highly common rescue mix. There is no guarantee that your Brittany mix will retain the breed's hunting talent. (Note: Every dog has a unique personality and distinct life experiences that affect his disposition. Keep in mind, even with proof of Brittany ancestry, each dog's personality can differ from the breed standard based on variables including life experience, training, and socialization. They are immensely energetic, social dogs who require activity, exercise, and interaction throughout the day. Brittanys are excellent watch dogs because they are suspicious of strangers and will bark at their approach. Not valid on fishing. Local hunters began crossbreeding the spaniels to create a hearty, versatile breed that could withstand Brittany's cold climate and dense underbrush. *Exclusions apply. This athletic, hard-working sporting dog draws attention with his thick, luxurious coat in a bold pattern of white with orange or reddish brown. Brittanys may be prone to breed-specific health concerns, including: You can minimize serious health concerns in a Brittany by purchasing from a reputable breeder who engages in responsible breeding practices, and through screening for common diseases and conditions. Success Brittanys are often born with short tails, though sometimes they are born with tails longer than the four-inch maximum allowed in the AKC breed standard. Are Brittanys Good with Other Pets? As one of Americas oldest catalog companies, our printed catalog is still a great way to shop quality Orvis products. Brittanys are not especially protective. Brittanys have very high energy levels. Trim your Brittany's nails once a month, or as needed. Since 1856. The Brittany has a hearty, medium length coat that is either flat or wavy. Brush your Brittany's medium-long coat several times per week and give baths as needed. Most shelters do not perform DNA testing on their mixed breeds, so breed heritage is usually determined by physical and temperament traits, along with any information shared when the dog is surrendered. Training outcomes will be better at any level with a gentle approach. has been our commitment since 1856. Brittanys have a strong prey drive, so they should be kept separated from small animals they don't know. Brittanys need constant exercise. They need very active owners because of their high energy levels. Brittanys have spaniel heritage, but they tend to hunt more like pointers and setters. Yes. Brittanys were bred to retrieve on land and from the water, and love to splash in the water to bring back a bird or a toy. Because the breed is so exuberant, however, they may accidentally knock over small children during play. If you are interested in a Brittany mix, locate a shelter that does genetic testing on mixed breeds, or let local shelters know you are interested in AKC-registered Brittany surrenders. This will vary, however, based upon your Brittany's activity level and age. It's also best if Brittanys are supervised and not left alone with other dogs who may not always appreciate their endless energy. With their boundless energy, curiosity, and athleticism, Brittanys are strong contenders for any advanced sport. Brittanys are fast, energetic, and agile dogs with a compact, rugged frame. Brittanys are happy, affectionate dogs who enjoy the company of kids. No. has been added to your cart. Its who we are. They will bark at the approach of strangers, but generally their aggression stops there. Many countries still refer to the breed as Brittany Spaniels, but the American Kennel Club (AKC) dropped 'spaniel' because of the dog's strong pointer characteristics. Brittanys are compact dogs with well-muscled frames and long legs. Yes. Brittany mixes may share traits with multiple other breeds, but will likely resemble Brittanys in some personality and physical characteristics. Spaniels flush birds out from hiding for the hunter, while pointers and setters point or stand stock still in the direction of the prey to alert the hunter to their location. Brittanys can be without tails or have tails up to four inches long. Brittanys are notoriously sensitive to harsh treatment. Common Brittany mixes include Border Collie, Labrador Retriever, Beagle, English Setter, and American Staffordshire Terrier, often called the Pit Bull. Are Brittanys Good with Kids? 2022 The Orvis Company, Inc. Brittanys are intelligent dogs who are eager to please. They are known for their ruggedness and agility, which combine to make them ideal dogs for the challenging terrain, changing weather conditions, and physical requirements of long days spent hunting. Brittanys used frequently for hunting will likelyrequire bathsmore often, especially when conditions are wet and muddy. These hunting dogs have plenty of stamina. Brittanys are natural sporting dogs and make excellent hunting partners. Without a job to do, they can become easily bored and destructive. They are easy to train in the basic commands when there is an abundance of positive reinforcement, praise, and delicious, healthy dog treats. If you want a furry best friend to relax with while you binge watch your favorite shows, this is not the breed for you. May bark excessively if training is inadequate or incomplete. This breed will want to play indoors as well, so a home with space for boisterous hijinks is ideal. With training, they will tolerate short amounts of time alone, but it leaving a Brittany alone for hours at a time is unfair and will likely result in unwanted behaviors. The coat colors are white and orange, white and liver (with the 'liver' a deep rust hue), or tri-colored (a white and liver dog with orange markings on the face and lower legs). Most often this occurs with owners who aren't able to meet the exercise demands of this high-energy dog. This medium-size breed makes a friendly, loving pet for active families. Success In addition to strong hunting skills, desired traits included a smaller stature than their forebears, trainability, and versatility. Though rugged, this breed should not be left outside for hours on end in any weather condition. If you arent happy with a product or service, we want to know about it. They are susceptible to separation anxiety. Check and wash his ears gently with a veterinarian-approved cleanser to prevent wax and dirt buildup that can lead to infections. They have evolved into the smallest and among the most versatile of the gun dogs. They are alert and eager, with the intelligent, soft eyes prized in bird dogs. Prone to boredom and separation anxiety when left alone. Dander is the cause of most pet-related allergies. Even if your Brittany is not trained as a wingshooting dog, you will likely see this natural instinct in action as he chases birds or follows scents with tenacity. The classic coat pattern is piebald, with a base color of rust or orange, with large swaths of white and scattered specks of rust or orange on the face and legs. Brittanys shed and, as a result, release pet dander into your home. Because they are so high-spirited, however,training and socializationare a must to ensure a peaceful household. Attentive training and supervision can prevent mishaps. You'll draw out the best behavior from your Brittany with positive reinforcement and abundant praise. Here are a few commonly asked questions aboutBrittanys. Brittanys are not comfortable being alone. They make excellent disc dogs and shine in agility competitions. And well make it right. With their hearty coats, Brittanys are comfortable outside in cool weather when they are hunting or active. Are Brittanys Good Guard Dogs? The exact breeds used to create Brittanys are unknown, but they assuredly include a mix of spaniels, pointers, and setters. Brittanys are known to be hyperactive sometimes. In these cases, owners who want to show their Brittany will have the tail docked to four inches. The Brittany draws its name from the French province where it was originally bred when spaniels first arrived in the region several centuries ago. They are generally friendly and accepting of cats they've been raised with, and especially enjoy having other boisterous dogs as playmates. They don't enjoy being left alone and they will follow a scent outside of the yard if they discover an opening. Brittanys are also known as Brittany Spaniels. Sign up for email now, and receive 15% off your first order at orvis.com. This offer is valid for new subscribers only and will be sent to your email address shortly. Brittanys don't tend to be hyper when they are kept engaged with 'work' and have ample opportunities for exercise. Brittanys adore being home with their families at the end of a busy day, but they must be kept active or they will resort to destructive behaviors. The front and rear legs have a touch of feathering, but not a lot. They are attentive upland hunting partners and lively playmates back at the homestead. They have enough energy for long days spent wingshooting, agility training, or playing catch. Apartments may be too small for this energetic dog, unless the owner is present to take them outside frequently for play, sport, and brisk walks. With a mix of spaniel, pointer, and setter breeds among their ancestors, Brittanys are bird dogs to the core. Talk to your veterinarian about theoptimal dietand quantity of food for your dog. Generally, this breed requires about 1.5 to 2 cups of good quality dry dog food each day, over the course of two feedings. Brittanys are generally friendly and loving, though they can be overly sensitive to reprimands. As a rule, adults should always supervise playdates between kids and their four-legged friends.).