Brittany's ???

[Bodi's Mom]

Does anyone have one? Can you tell me about them? I went to a BMD trial yesterday and adjacent to our pups was a Brittany field trial. I have never seen so many kissy-faced dogs in one place in my life. When I asked the owners about their "Britt's" as they call them, I was informed that they are one of the sweetest, most intelligent breeds - but be aware of the energy that comes along with field types. Has anyone ever met a bench Brittany? If so, what is their activity level like in and out of the house? I am in LOVE!

 

[bubbatd]

I think that they are more like Springers than Cockers Will be anxious to hear reports here !

 

[Crush]

If so, what is their activity level like in and out of the house? I am in LOVE!

The dog seems like it will have large energy requirements but other than that seems to be a good family dog as long as you can give it what it needs.

Here's what some people had to say here

Spaniels
do shed, but to what extent they shed I do not know.

They are family friendly, smart, loyal, and energetic.

They are also meant (bred) to be hunting dogs, which
means like any 'hound' they will need a lot of exercise to
keep them healthy, and happy. An unhappy dog will or can
develope traits you won't like such as chewing, etc
Expect to walk this breed at least once a day, a good long walk with some running involved. A fenced in backyard is
good for this breed so they can go out and play & run.

They are beautiful, soft haired, and wonderful dogs.
Just make sure YOUR family is the right family for them!

Also from here:

The typical Brittany Spaniel temperament is good natured and outgoing. The breed loves to spend time with people as much as it loves working in the field.

Brittanies can be very rambunctious and need a great deal of exercise for those long legs, so having enough property to let them run on becomes essential to keeping these dog healthy in mind and body. A Brittany is not a dog that is content to spend long hours cramped in an apartment.

A Word of Advice
Unless you can provide the type of athletic life this breed is meant for, better to pass it by. Brittany Spaniels need plenty of exercise in the open air to thrive.

Keeping them contained in a home situation that might suit more laidback breeds would lead to a great deal of frustration for these dogs and simply wouldn't be fair. Visit a breeder and watch these splendid canines in the field, then you'll understand.

Also from here:

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. [/QUOTE]

But hey if you can provide those things, the dog should be a great low shedding dog with a nice coat. You just have to be honest with yourself if you are going to make the time to give the dog the excersise requirements for this dog.

*post edited by mod to remove all the random size changes, colors and random bold items that was making it incredibly difficult to read and destroying page layout.
content has NOT been changed.*

please keep other folks in mind when adding different font sizes and colors ect to your post.
thanks

 

[Lizmo]

To the OP, do NOT watch his Youtube video. It's NOT true. At. All.

I don't know much about Brittneys, but they are beautiful dogs.

 

[dogsarebetter]

^^agree with Lizmo^^^

 

[Spiritwind]

I think they are great dogs!! Honestly I wouldn't mind having one some day (gosh, I really have a whole list of dogs I'd love to have some day -- not sure that it'll all happen, but one can wish!)...

I used to watch 4 (field bred) Brittany's for someone I knew, when they would be on trips. Great dogs. Yes, they were very active, but very good temperaments as well!

He could turn the 4 dogs out into a large field to run, and soon as he would blow a whistle they would all come running back to the house..

 

[Pam111]

We had several when I was growing up. My dad loves them and always had one. They were good dogs...yes, high energy, but loving, good family dogs and highly trainable. My dad used them for bird hunting.

 

[colliewog]

One of the vets I worked for bred field Brittanys and they were lovely dogs. Yes, high energy, but he had some in pet homes that fared well with appropriate exercise levels, even if they weren't in the field. Also, there is a Brittany breeder in my obedience club and she does both agility and conformation -- I think many of the Brittany people are multi-purpose, so it's doubtful you'd find the 'bench' version any calmer.

 

[Izzy's Valkyrie]

Oh good, someone started this thread for me I met a young male Britt at the park the other day and he was the first dog to ever tire mine out withing 10 minutes! (He ran non stop circuits of the park until Izzy stopped chasing lol)

They're so pretty

 

[Laurelin]

What I've noticed with britts is there isn't so much a field v bench but an american v french. There's quite a bit of difference between the two types at least looks wise and I believe working wise too.

 

[FoxyWench]

i knew a couple britneys growing up, we had an englihs cocker we did feild trials with and saw alot of srpingers and some britneys...

in general terms they more energetic than a springer, they can be good house dogs if given a good amount of excersize...
a good walk, lots of running round the garden and being this breed is a working spaniel (theres not many who dont breed their dogs as "multi use") your going to need to give plenty of mental stimulation.
there fast learners and eager to please, VERY devoted to their family and generally happy go lucky dogs.

medium shedders, coat upkeep however is generally easy.
watch for ear and eye issues common in spaniels, but britneys havent quite hit the "popular" pet market so arnt as prone as many other of the spaneil breeds.

all in all id say a great higher energy medium breed great for a family with plenty of time to play and mentally stimulate

 

[Fran101]

Number one, do not listen to crush

number two, here is the breed all about it on brittanys the show is a bit old but it should give you an idea
YouTube - Breed All About It - Brittany Spaniel

From the American Brittany Club
" He works in the same manner as a pointer, but without the great range. He points and holds his game. He retrieves both on land and in water. He is used primarily on upland game in the United States, but is used on both fur and feather in France.
He is noted for an exceptionally keen nose and a very biddable disposition. Many of the country’s top dogs have been house pets as well as field winners and fine hunting dogs. The Brittany is a high energy dog who is bred to hunt. He does need lots of exercise or opportunities to hunt to keep him happy.
He has a typical friendly disposition and is very willing to please his master. He may be expected to absorb training more easily than some of the other pointing breeds, needing only a sharp scolding or slight punishment. The natural ability of the Brittany sells him as a breed to many neophytes in the field of hunting as he seems to know better what to do than his master.
He gains his admirers from his excellent working ability. The Brittany, with his shorter range, is becoming more popular as hunting becomes limited to smaller fields with more fences. His exceptional nose, which guarantees that he will pass up few birds, also helps to account for his popularity."

hope it helps!

 

[happyhound]

Britts are great dogs. I've been considering one in the future due to their smaller size compared to my GSPs.

There is very little split between show/field dogs and tons of duals within the breed. They are great pets that should be easy to train, work with and have good temperaments (like most sporting breeds). There is a lady with MACH britts that posts videos on youtube and hers are just awesome and FAST.

 

[Bodi's Mom]

Thanks everyone for your input. I've researched a few breeders in my area and they all breed dual Brittany's. Energy level isn't a problem for me (I'm hyper-active times ten). I thrive on interacting with my dog, unfortunately, Bodi tires out in 15 minutes. I would LOVE to get a Brittany now, but it would be unfair to Bodi - so I'll wait. These American Britt's were just uber-cuddly, lovey, rumps wagging, smiling, happy dogs - all 18 of them. I immediately fell in love.

 

[Shiba Rawr]

My Grandfather has a Brittany Spaniel (well actually they are no longer supposed to be called Brittany Spaniels, but just the Brittany) and a Llewellin Setter. He had another Brittany (named Britney) before that too. And my Uncle has a Britt that my Grandfather watches for him while he's out at sea crap fishing.

My Uncle's current Brittany "Bo", and my Grandpa's Brittany "Sassy" are from the same parents. Although Bo is older than Sassy, Bo was a runt and is very small. They are quiet the team, and can be very mischievous together. They ran off by themselves for a few days and since then they can't be alone together outside, for fear of them running off together.

My Grandfather's Llewellin is an amazing bird dog, and Sassy is learning after her well. She's very smart and willing to please. However, she is also VERY energetic and hyper!
I love Britts! They have the MOST beautiful eyes I've seen on a dog, and the cutest personalities (imo). His is a French Brittany, and his is Black and White. Although black is not accepted in the AKC. But the eyes are much more prominent on a black coat. I like all the French coat colros personally.
However they are not for everyone due to their energetic personality, it takes a lot of patience.
But I think they'd be good with you, especially since you're an energetic person!
I hope to see you one day with a Brittany! I don't know many Brittany owners~

 

[Crush]

I would LOVE to get a Brittany now, but it would be unfair to Bodi - so I'll wait. .

Wow good on you.

If you are active, then a greyhound might be a good dog becuase it will be active when you want him to and you only need to run him a few times a week minimum from what I hear. But it has to be fenced in high speed running. After he gets his excersize out of his system, he's very, very well behaved around the house. He would place lower in the pack than Bodi.

But then again a lot of people don't like the way Grey Hounds look or dont want a full grown dog. It was just a suggestion since you have a fenced in yard.

 

[Romy]

Greyhounds are great if you want a giant cat/dog that sleeps 23 hours a day.

As for brittanys (brittanies? sp?) Robert's cousin has a BYB brittany and a brittany/springer cross.

The springer cross has an unstable temperament, but he's from a puppymill so that's not surprising. Blaze, their purebred brittany, has a fabulous, outgoing with everyone temperament. She is from a BYBer, and as a result of shoddy breeding her knees are bad. They are too straight and lack the groove for the knee to slide up an down in and so pop out of joint very easily, which is terribly painful for her and sadly, they can't use her as a bird dog because of it. I don't know if that's a more widespread problem in the breed or not. But it's something to look into.

My aunt's dog is a brittany/standard poodle mix, again, very sweet. Her temperament is all brittany. From what I've seen they are pretty much the quintessential sporting dogs.

 

[Psyfalcon]

I've known a few who were used as east coast pheasant dogs. The good ones were really good, and the bad ones were no worse than the German Shorthairs. Energy level and willingness to listen can be very line dependent in sporting dogs.

The dogs I knew had to work very close, because there was always a house or a road if you went the wrong way too far. You cant shoot at houses or over roads, so it didnt make sense to have a dog that was overactive or unwilling to listen. Now, there are some that are bred to hunt larger areas, they will be faster and more independent.

 

[Zoom]

I've hunted behind a Britt before...the GSP was doing a better job, honestly. The Britt was far too distractable, but I think that was that particular dog.

Others I've dealt with...very, very high energy, fairly easy to care for coats (at least field lines), tend towards obsessive barking, sweet when they feel like stop moving long enough to show affection. Not really a breed that has impressed me enough to end of my "maybe someday" list. Then again, I'm not much of a sporting dog person. *shrug*

 

[Bodi's Mom]

Crush - I had a retired greyhound for 6 years. Cheetah was sweet, beautiful, gentle and a joy to own. She was just as you said - loving to run when outside, but very couch-potatoe like when in the house. She lived until she was 9. We loved her dearly.