Brittany Training Profile

Weight: 30 to 40 pounds

Height: 18 to 21 inches

Lifespan: 12 to 14 years

Brittany Temperament and History

The Brittany is a versatile dog breed; to some, it’s a hunting dog, and to others, it’s a show dog. But these dogs make great companions as well.

It’s unknown when the breed dates back to, but there are signs they were around as early as the 17th Century; you can see them in tapestries and paintings that were made in Western Europe at the time.

At that point, Brittanys were being bred in the Brittany region of France. But they had a niche market; those who couldn’t afford to buy an entire kennel of different hunting dog breeds — each with unique abilities — often turned to the Brittany, which was well known for its versatility.

These dogs are still considered part of the spaniel family in France, but they’ve developed into what is considered more of a gun dog breed in the US. Since most Brittanys are capable of being show dogs and hunting dogs, the breed has earned the American Kennel Club title of Dual Champion.

Although they make excellent hunters, Brittany dogs are very affectionate dogs who like to spend time with their owners. They’re also excellent with children, but can get overly enthusiastic and accidentally hurt smaller children who try to play with them.

Early socialization is recommended if there are other pets in the household, especially cats or other small animals who may trigger Brittany dogs’ prey drive. But — for the most part — Brittanys get along very well with other dogs. They can, however, be wary of unfamiliar faces.

Brittany Training Tips

Being highly energetic dogs that like to be occupied, Brittanys require a great deal of exercise each day, or else they can develop undesirable behaviors in an effort to entertain themselves.

It’s not difficult to keep these dogs busy, though. They excel at canine sports, such as field trials and agility, and also enjoy getting outside and playing with their owners.

Brittanys are very sweet, gentle dogs who respond best to positive reinforcement training methods. Otherwise, they may develop fear aggression as a result of being mistreated.

Socializing Brittany dogs from a young age — combined with positive reinforcement training — is the best way to instruct your Brittany on how to behave. And, since Brittanys are loving dogs, they’re naturally compelled to please their owners.

However, Brittany dogs are also notorious charmers; owners must be conscious of their ability to try and always get what they want. If they’re enabled, it can lead to them taking on the role of the alpha.