Brittany
Height44–52 cm (17–20 in)
Weight14–18 kg (31–40 lbs)
TypeSporting
Life Expectancy12–14 yrs
OriginFrance
A versatile, energetic bird dog with a sweet disposition. Brittanys are quick, agile, and eager to please, making them excellent hunting companions and active family dogs.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
5/5
Trainability
5/5
Playfulness
5/5
Energy Level
5/5
Social
Good with Kids
4/5
Good with Dogs
4/5
Good with Strangers
4/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
1/5
Exercise Needs
5/5
Watchdog Ability
3/5
Barking Level
2/5
Care
Shedding
2/5
Grooming Needs
2/5
Health Robustness
4/5
Where Are Brittanys From?
The Brittany originated in the Brittany province of northwestern France, where peasant hunters needed a versatile gun dog they could actually afford to feed. Larger pointing breeds were the domain of aristocrats; the medium-sized Brittany could do the same work on less food. They were likely developed from crosses between French spaniels and English Setters, and early breed standards from the 1800s describe dogs that are nearly identical to today’s Brittany. The AKC dropped “Spaniel” from the name in 1982, recognizing that Brittanys point rather than flush.
What Is It Like Living With a Brittany?
Brittanys are wired for partnership. They check in with their handler constantly, adjusting their range and pace based on subtle cues. This cooperative nature makes them exceptionally trainable, but they’re sensitive enough that heavy-handed methods create cowering, shutdown dogs. A Brittany’s enthusiasm is infectious — they approach training, exercise, and family interaction with unbridled joy. They’re gentle with children, friendly with strangers, and generally easy to live with provided their energy needs are met.
How Much Exercise Does a Brittany Need?
Brittanys need 75–90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise. Field running, swimming, fetch, and hiking are ideal. They were bred to range ahead of the hunter for hours, covering ground at a tireless trot, so leash walks around the block barely register. Brittanys also need mental stimulation through training, scent games, or puzzle feeders. An under-exercised Brittany becomes hyperactive and anxious indoors, spinning in circles and unable to settle.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Brittany?
The flat or wavy coat is moderate-maintenance: brushing once or twice weekly prevents tangles, with extra attention to the ear feathering. Brittanys shed moderately. Health concerns include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and a condition called complement deficiency that affects immune function. Lupus occurs at slightly elevated rates. Overall, the Brittany is a robust, long-lived breed averaging 12–14 years.
Are Brittanys Healthy?
Brittanys are ideal for active families, bird hunters, dog sport competitors, and anyone who wants a high-energy dog with a biddable temperament. They’re not suited for apartment living, sedentary owners, or households where the dog will spend most of the day alone. The surprising fact: Brittanys have won more AKC dual championships (combining show and field titles) than all other sporting breeds combined. No other breed comes close to matching their success in both arenas simultaneously.
Our Honest Take on the Brittany
Brittanys are the most overlooked sporting dog in America — compact, low-maintenance coated, and capable of hunting all day or playing fetch in the backyard. The honest caveat is that 'compact' doesn't mean 'low energy' — these dogs have more drive per pound than almost any breed.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Treating them as a low-energy dog because of their manageable size. Brittanys were bred for all-day bird hunting. They need 60–90 minutes of vigorous activity daily — and genuinely thrive with a sport or hunting outlet.
- 2Getting one for an apartment without an aggressive exercise plan. A under-exercised Brittany becomes hyperactive, anxious, and destructive indoors. Their energy doesn't have an off switch — it has a redirect switch.
- 3Ignoring epilepsy as a health consideration. Brittanys have an elevated incidence of idiopathic epilepsy. Ask breeders about lines and family history; epilepsy is manageable but requires lifelong medication (~$50–$150/month depending on severity).
- 4Not starting training early. Brittanys are highly trainable but also independently-minded hunters. Early obedience work prevents the habit of 'self-hunting' — ranging far and ignoring recall.
Who Should Think Twice
Brittanys are wrong for sedentary owners or anyone who can provide only short walks, apartment dwellers without nearby parks or trails, or people wanting a laid-back breed they can switch off for evenings. They're among the best dogs in existence for active, outdoorsy owners.
Real Costs in 2026
Brittany puppies from field- and health-tested parents: $700–$1,500 in 2026. One of the more affordable sporting breeds to purchase. Annual costs are low by sporting dog standards: food ~$45/month, minimal grooming (~$150/year), routine vet ~$400/year. The main financial risk is epilepsy — lifelong anticonvulsant medication and monitoring can run $800–$2,000/year. Pet insurance covering neurological conditions is a sensible hedge.
Living With a Brittany: Year by Year
Puppyhood (0-12 months) is high-energy and biddable, with the drive surfacing by month 6 — pointing on butterflies, freezing on bird scent. Housetraining is fast (month 4). Adolescence (1-2 years) is the energy peak; an under-exercised adolescent Brittany is genuinely destructive. Prime adulthood (2-10) is the breed's gift: tireless field dog, affectionate family member, naturally biddable. They are surprisingly soft for a hunting breed — sensitive to tone, eager to please. Senior years start around 11, and they live 13-15 years (one of the longer-lived sporting breeds). The surprises: they are Velcro in a way that does not match their athletic look. A Brittany wants to be on you, not just near you. They are also one of the few hunting breeds that genuinely thrives in suburban homes — provided they get 60-90 minutes of real exercise daily.
The Training Reality
Easy to train if you are consistent and not heavy-handed. Marker training and treats work; food motivation is high but not extreme. Housetraining is fast (month 3-4). Recall is moderate — bird scent overrides everything, so off-leash freedom belongs in fenced areas or hunt scenarios. The ceiling is high: hunt tests, AKC obedience, agility, dock diving. Most are reliably housetrained by month 4, basic obedience by month 10. What they cannot do: protection work, anything intense. They are soft — a sharp 'no' produces visible distress, and prolonged harshness creates a shut-down dog. Skip aversive methods entirely. The biggest training pitfall is under-exercising; a tired Brittany trains beautifully, a fresh one cannot focus. Most owners find a 'civilized' adult by month 18, with the caveat that bird scent will always be a wildcard.
A Day in the Life
Morning means a 45-60 minute hard run or hike — they need it. Daytime they are surprisingly mellow if exercised, sleeping 6-8 hours quietly. They are velcro and will press into you on the couch, sometimes on top of you. Evening exercise round two: another 30-45 minutes minimum. They sleep 12-13 hours total. Surprising things: the prey drive is intense for a 'pet' breed — squirrels, rabbits, and birds will trigger a freeze-and-stalk response. The shedding is moderate, mostly seasonal. They are water-loving but not water-obsessed like Springers. They also have a soft mouth (they were bred to retrieve birds without damage), which means a Brittany rarely chews destructively after puppyhood — they will carry shoes around but not destroy them. The vocalization is moderate; they yip when excited but are not chronic barkers.
How Brittanys Compare to Similar Breeds
Versus the English Springer Spaniel: Springers have more coat care, more ear infections, similar drive. Versus the German Shorthaired Pointer: GSPs are larger, more independent, and even more athletic — Brittanys are the more affectionate of the two. Versus the Vizsla: Vizslas are even more velcro but harder to satisfy energy-wise. If you want a smaller hunting breed, the Cocker Spaniel is a calmer option (with more health issues).
Great For
- Families with children
- First-time dog owners
- Active, outdoorsy people
- Multi-pet households
- Allergy-conscious homes
- Social, outgoing lifestyles
Think Twice If
- You have a sedentary lifestyle
- You live in a small apartment
Are Brittanys Prone to Health Issues?
Brittanys are predisposed to: hip dysplasia, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, canine discoid lupus. Overall, this is a relatively healthy breed with fewer concerns than average.
Health Robustness
4/5
How Much Does a Brittany Cost?
Purchase Price
$700–$1,500
Monthly Food
$45
Annual Vet
$400
Annual Grooming
$150
Est. First Year
~$2,190
Est. Annual
~$1,090
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Brittany cost?
A Brittany puppy typically costs $700–$1,500. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $2,190, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $1,090.
How long do Brittanys live?
Brittanys have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Common health concerns include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, canine discoid lupus.
Are Brittanys good with kids?
Brittanys score 4/5 for being good with children. They are generally excellent family dogs and get along well with children of all ages.
Do Brittanys shed a lot?
Brittanys have a shedding level of 2/5. They are relatively low shedders but still need occasional grooming.
Are Brittanys good for apartments?
Brittanys score 1/5 for apartment friendliness. They are better suited to homes with yards and ample space to move around.