French Brittany

The French Brittany, known as Epagneul Breton in French, is a gun dog breed that was created in order to specialize in bird hunting. The word Epagneul in French refers to a long haired pointer. The English word Spaniel refers to dogs that are used for flushing game. The two words, Spaniel and Epagneul have common origins, in the sense that they both refer to dogs that would crouch in front of the prey and allow the hunter to throw a net over the prey as well as the dog. These dogs are very similar to another breed known as the American Brittany.

French Brittanys are the smallest dogs of all pointer-type breeds. Its structure, and especially the head, is typical of the Epagneul type. The tail is short and almost non-existent. These dogs have solidly built bodies but are more agile than heavy. The overall look of the dog is quite compact and at times can even be elegant. These dogs usually have an alert, intelligent expression. They can grow up to a height of about 17-21 inches and can weigh anywhere between 30-40 pounds.

These dogs are well known for their active, enthusiastic nature. They are avid bird hunters and treasured companions for hunters. These dogs love physical activity and exercise and they have a lot of stamina that helps them to keep going. These dogs are not well suited to apartment life. They need to have constant access to a good sized yard. Without this, the dog might become destructive to vent its excess energy. It is recommended that these dogs be taken for daily walks and even jogs. During such times, the dog must always be trained to follow the lead of the person holding the leash, so that it knows that the human is the leader and follows the owner’s commands easily.

The French Brittany has a medium length coat. The coat is also quite flat. Grooming these dogs is fairly easy and a vigorous brushing twice in a week is all that is required to keep them in shape. When needed, the dog can be bathed with a mild soap or can be dry shampooed. Overall, these dogs do not require a lot of maintenance at all. They also do not shed a lot. Among other things, the dog’s ears should be checked regularly and cleaned, to avoid bacterial growth and possible infection. This should be done especially if the dog is frequently exposed to rough or bushy areas in the course of its work or training.

As hunting dogs, French Brittanys make ideal companions for those hunting on foot. These dogs usually hunt within gun range and seek active co-operation from their human partners. These dogs are very easily able to hunt for an entire day without getting tired. At the same time, they are also not too big to fit into a family home, and are gentle and affectionate towards family members. An ideal combination of characteristics suitable for the field and for the home makes these dogs desirable pets.