French Brittany

The Brittany was named after the French Province where it originated. This dog species was bred to be versatile and all-round especially in bird hunting. The Brittany dog breed was developed from the English Setters & the small local Spaniel breeds in the 1800s (at Brittany province, France). The breed excelled as a retriever, gundog and an obedient pointer thus became a favorite to local hunters. Brittany began to be imported in North America in the 1920s. As of now, there are two types of Brittany i.e. the American Brittany and the French Brittany. The American Brittany is bred from a pure Brittany stock that's crossed with English breeds such as the Welsh Springer Spaniel while the French Brittany is a French breed solely. The two Brittany breeds are now celebrated as great bird hunters and companions all over the world.

French Brittany Description

The Brittany dog species has a small body size, robust legs, stout chest, and a docked tail. Their large head, with their floppy ears, is hairier compared to the rest of the body. Brittanies have a broad muzzle, almond-shaped eyes, overlapped lips, and wide nostrils. One of the most interesting facts about the French Brittany is the fact that they are born with naturally docked tails although there are a few dogs that have a longer tail (the tails are later docked to 3-10 cm in length). Although French Brittany does not like spending time with its family members, it enjoys human company. They usually love welcoming people at home and hence they are not good watchdogs. French Brittany breed does not like solitude and when forced to stay alone most of the times it can end up indulging in destructive activities such as chewing furniture, garments and even digging up your garden. The common coat colors of the breed are Roan, Tri-color, Black and White, Liver and White, Orange and White.

With an average weight of 14 to 18 kg and a height of 46 to 52 cm, the French Brittany is an intelligent, attentive, happy, agile and quick dog breed that excels in hunting birds. Brittanies have an inborn hunting instinct which provokes them to chase small birds, mammals, and even chipmunks. As a result of their hunting instincts, the French Brittany do not do well indoors. They prefer living in outdoor spaces so that they can run and playoff to satisfy their hunting instincts.

Hunting Aspects

The French Brittany can hunt all types of upland birds & cover. This dog species hunts by quartering open grounds about 50 to 100 yards on average on either side of its handler. Their hunting techniques depend on the type of cover and birds' scarcity. For instance, on thick cover the French Brittany hunt closer but where either the birds or cover is sparse the hunting range increases.

Normally, the French Brittany quarter their ground naturally while hunting and they continually check back with you while remaining within the gun range. Their bird hunting instincts and intelligence makes the French Brittany hunt with enthusiasm and drive while covering the ground at a fast pace. The French Brittany dog species can be used to hunt all types of upland birds including quails, woodcock, grouse, and pheasant.

Their bountiful energy, versatility, and intelligence make the French Brittany an ideal pet and hunting partner. One of Brittany's greatest strengths is the ability to work as a versatile gun dog. Whether you are in dense cover or open country, the Brittany is capable of not only pointing but also retrieving because they love roaming and hunting. The dog is also easy to train because it's energetic and intelligent. Although this could translate as a high maintenance pet, Brittany is the ideal hunting dog especially in sniffing out partridge, hare, and woodcock.

Another added benefit of the French Brittany is the size because it is considered as the smallest gun dog with a height of 17 to 21 inches. Ergo, transporting and maintaining this breed is easy and fast. Additionally, the French Brittany is resistant to damp and cold. You just need to hunt ahead of it as the master and regardless of the weather conditions, your hunting will be successful.

Owning a French Brittany as a pet is not recommended if you live in an apartment or a condo because the breed is best suited for a large yard. The French Brittany has different hunting styles compared to the American Britany. Although the two are bird hunting dogs, the French Brittany has stronger hunting instincts, tends to hunt for shorter distances and regularly checks with the human hunting partner, unlike the American Brittany. On the other hand, American Brittany is a longer runner while the French are excellent with guns. If you are thinking of buying a bird hunting dog, the French Brittany is an ideal choice because it offers a great company too. Remember, thorough research is required to determine how to handle the dog, what to expect and how to take care of your dog. Finally, if you've never owned a dog or you don't know much about dogs, seeking help from a professional or getting advice from close friends who own dogs is recommended.