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Brittany Spaniels: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Brittany personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Brittany, including these excerpts: "The Brittany Spaniel loves an athletic lifestyle of hiking, biking, running, and ball playing. If left alone too much and not given outlets for his energy, you're likely to see hyperactivity and destructive chewing. When well socialized, most Brittany Spaniels are polite and gentle with everyone and peaceful with other animals. There is timidity and excessive submissiveness in some lines, so early socialization is a must to promote a confident temperament. Most are sensitive, rather "soft" dogs, willing to please and responsive to a calm voice and a light hand on the leash. The Brittany does not do well in an environment with frequent tension or loud voices. When excited or nervous, some Brittanys are prone to submissive urination (sudden wetting), while others whine persistently." History In the U.S., "spaniel" has been dropped from the Brittany's name because he hunts more like a pointer or setter -- freezing into a point upon scenting a hiding bird. But "spaniel" has been retained in Canada and in his native France, where he was the favorite hunting dog of the peasants in the province of Bretagne (Brittany). Size 17-21 inches and 30-45 lbs

Brittany Spaniels What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is medium-sized and athletic, agile and light on his feet Has a pretty feathered coat Loves vigorous exercise and athletic activities in the great outdoors Is good with strangers Is peaceful with other animals Is willing to please and excels in a variety of competitive canine activities A Brittany may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... Hyperactivity when not given enough exercise "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much An inquisitive sniffing machine who will follow his nose right out of sight Fearfulness toward people when not socialized enough Regular brushing, combing, and trimming Shedding Excitable or submissive urination (tendency to dribble urine when excited or nervous) Persistent whining when excited or stressed A Brittany may not be right for you. If I were considering a Brittany Spaniel... My major concerns would be: Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Brittany Spaniels MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Brittanys can make a shambles of your house and yard. If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in hunting, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Trying to suppress their "hardwired" drive to run and work, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Brittanys need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. Some Brittany Spaniels become anxious, which they express by chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the best breed for you. Providing enough socialization. Brittany Spaniels need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds so that their natural "softness" and submissiveness doesn't become shyness or fearfulness, which are very difficult to live with. Teaching your Brittany how to be confident with the world is essential. Learn how to socialize your dog on my Brittany Training Page. Shedding. Brittany Spaniels shed more than you might think. Their hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, stick to your upholstery and clothing, and hide under the furniture. Emotional sensitivity. Be honest...is there tension in your home? Are people loud or angry or emotional? Are there arguments or fights? Brittany Spaniels are sensitive to stress and can become withdrawn or anxious if the people in their home are having family problems. This breed deserves a peaceful, harmonious home. Not all Brittany Spaniels are alike! There are energetic Brittanys, and placid Brittanys. Hard-headed Brittanys, and sweet-natured Brittanys. Serious Brittanys, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Brittanys, and Brittanys who love everyone. If you acquire a Brittany Spaniel puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Brittany... There are plenty of adult Brittany Spaniels who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/brittanys.html">Brittanys: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.