French Spaniel vs French Brittany - Breed Comparison

French Spaniel vs French Brittany - Breed ComparisonBoth French Brittany and French Spaniel are originated from France. French Brittany may grow 43 cm / 16 inches shorter than French Spaniel. Both French Brittany and French Spaniel are having almost same weight. Both French Brittany and French Spaniel has almost same life span. Both French Brittany and French Spaniel has almost same litter size. French Brittany requires Low Maintenance. But French Spaniel requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Sporting dog
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France
France
Height Male:
17 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
56 - 63 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
15 - 19 cm
5 - 8 inches
54 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
10 - 22 kg
22 - 49 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 17 kg
28 - 38 pounds
8 - 20 kg
17 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 13 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 8
4 - 10
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Brittany Spaniel Brittany Wiegref Epagneul Breton French Brittany Spaniel
Epagneul Français French Setter Canadian Setter
Colors Available:
liver roan, black and white (not universally accepted), orange roan, Orange and white, black roan, liver and white, tricolor
White with brown markings
Coat:
flowing , medium length
Straight, or slightly wavy and of medium length.
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving
Affectionate, Courageous, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Social
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

french brittanyBrittanys are the product of France, actually developed in the Brittany Province. They are gun dogs designed to hunt birds. Referred to more often than not as a Spaniel their method of working is much more in line with the setters and pointers. They are believed to be developed somewhere between the 17th and 19th centuries, but not recognized until the 20th century. Orange and white dogs were portrayed on 17th century tapestries, hunting and retrieving. In 1850 the Reverend Davies wrote the first record of Brittanys that was verifiable.

The Brittany was recognized for the first time in 1907 as their own breed even though they participated in the Paris Dog Show in 1900. Once recognized the standards were written as well. It was not until 1931 that the breed was recognized in America and 1934 before the American Kennel Club approved them. Until 1982 they were known as the French Brittany Spaniel. The Spaniel was dropped in ’82. In the United Kingdom the Brittany is known as an HPR (Hunt, Point and Retrieve) breed and they do so with both birds and small game such as hares. The Brittany’s have more dual champions than any other American Kennel Club Sporting Breed in both Confirmation and Field Trials.

There are some differences between the current day French Brittany and the “American Brittany”. They are the same breed but different sub-sets and there are differences that can be noted between the two. The French Brittany is smaller than the newer American version and works closer to the hunter and the guns, while the American Brittany runs ahead of the hunter quite often. Some breeders however don’t consider these differences to be sub-sets and believe that the American breeders should accept the French standards reflecting the origin of the breed.

french spanielDeveloped in France and then in Canada, the French Spaniel is a descendent of 14th century hunting dogs. Originally the breed was very popular with the French royalty and nobility at the Court of Versailles, in the Middle Ages. A French Spaniel named Babe was owned by Catherine I of Russia.

Spaniels were mentioned in Gaston III of Foix-Beams’ The Master of the Game, or Livre de Chasse, in 14th Century France. Most believed that Spaniels had been developed during the 11th century Crusades. By 1650 the French Spaniel was differentiated from the King Charles Spaniel and determined to be its own type of spaniel.

In 1805, they were featured in the Sporting Magazine, hunting mallards. The French Spaniel was crossed with English Setters in the !850’s to develop the French Brittany (Spaniel). But by the end of the 19th century, hunting dogs from other countries were outpacing the French Spaniel so much that it was driven to the brink of extinction. Fortunately, a priest named Father Fournier saved the breed by taking all remaining Spaniels to his kennels at St. Hillarie and developing the lines we see in the breed today. This was followed by the founding of the French Spaniel Club in 1921. The various lines of the Spaniels included the French Spaniel of today, the Brittany of today, the Blue Picardy and the Picardy.

The French Spaniel however has been rare outside of its native country and Canada, where it was imported in the 1970’s to French speaking Quebec. Quebec Canadians fell in love with the breed for hunting grouse and woodcock. In order to ensure that the breed would be continued in line with its French standards, the Club de l’Epagneul Francais du Canada began in 1978. By 1985 the Canadian Kennel Club recognized the French Spaniel. Soon after they were recognized by the United Kennel Club, the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale, the UK Kennel Club and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, but not the AKC (American Kennel Club). They are also registered with organizations such as the American Canine Association, the Dog Registry of America and the America’s Pet Registry. They have been included in the AKC Foundation Stock Service as the first step toward AKC recognition.

Description

french brittany puppy - descriptionThe French Brittany is an energetic, compact, solid, athletic dog. They have average size heads, intelligent expressions, floppy ears, and a long, elastic and free gait. Most Brittanys are born with short tails but if not, they are docked outside the United Kingdom. Docking is illegal in the United Kingdom so those Brittanys might have a long tail.

Their coats are orange roan, orange and white and liver roan. A tricoat of orange, liver and white is allowed within a specific placement of the three colors.

french spaniel puppy - descriptionThe French Spaniel is a very tall dog and as such is one of the spaniel breeds two tallest. They are taller than the English Springer Spaniel, have a deep chest and a muscular build. Their legs are very strong, and they have a thick tail that is never docked. It is long, slightly curved and hangs low. He is an elegant dog with dark amber eyes, long feathery ears, and a nose the color of the coat. If the coat is brown the nose is brown. If the coat is black and white the nose is black. Most French Spaniels are white with brown or dark liver or white with black.

Characteristics

1.Children

french brittany dog - characteristicsVery friendly with children

Special talents

Dual champions in Field Trials and Confirmation. They both point and retrieve.

Adaptability

They are not as adaptable as some hunting breeds. They are very active and need space both indoors and out. They are not recommended for life in apartments in the city. A rural environment is best. They do not adapt well to the damp and cold weather.

Learning ability

They are very intelligent and have very high learning ability.

Children friendliness

french spaniel dog - characteristicsYes, they are very good with children.

Special talents

They are great in filed trials as they can flush, point and retrieve.

Adaptability

The breed is very adaptable and can live in the city or in the country.

Learning ability

The breed is very intelligent and trainable.

Health Problems

french brittany puppies - health problemsGenerally, a hardy breed that is mostly healthy, the Brittany in France usually lives on average 12 years 6 months. In the UK the average if 12 years and 11 months and many dogs living to be 14 or 15. Some of the health issues that might pop up for the Brittany include:

  1. Ear Infections
  2. Hip Dysplasia
  3. Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
  4. Epilepsy

french spaniel puppies - health problemsThe French Spaniel is a healthy breed that adapts well to all types of conditions, especially wet ones. There are some potentially serious health issues that the breed may be susceptible to:

Acral Mutilation and Analgesia

This is a very serious inherited disorder. It is one of many Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathies (HSN) disorders. This is an agonizing infliction that causes the dogs to have no pain in certain extremities and therefore the ability to self-mutilate their feet, pads, claws and digits. They lick and bite their feet often amputating footpads, claws, and digits without feeling any pain. This leads to infection and most dogs end up being euthanized. The disorder shows up by 3-4 months of age.

Ear Infections

Make sure the dog’s ears are cleaned regularly to remove wax and prevent infections.

Epilepsy

This disease causes seizures but can be treated with medication.

Hip dysplasia

Can cause lameness and arthritis.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

french brittany dogs - caringFeed puppies a high quality puppy food designed for medium sized dogs. Give about one to one and a half cups per day in 2-3 meals.

Feeding the adult

For the adult French Brittany feed a high quality adult dry food designed for medium sized dogs. Give about two cups per day in 2 meals.

Points for Good Health

Excellent vision and scent

Games and Exercises

The French Brittany is an active and enthusiastic bird dog that loves to exercise. They have the stamina and drive that goes with an efficient and successful hunting dog. They need daily exercise, regular walks and excel at field trials and confirmation. They are also good at lure chase, flyball, rally and obedience.

Feed the puppy

french spaniel dogs - caringA high quality dry food made for puppies and if possible for Spaniels. Feed two to three times a day about one fourth of a cup each time

Feed the adult

A high quality adult dry food made for Spaniels if possible. Feed twice a day about one half to three fourths of a cup at each meal.

Points for Good Health

Excellent vision, stamina and speed.

Games and Exercises

These dog love to run and play. They are smart and learn easily. They like to chase balls, swim, play hide and seek, Find It, and go hiking. They can excel at learning tricks, agility, rally and obedience trials.

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. French Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. French Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. French Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. French Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. French Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. French Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. French Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. French Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. French Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. French Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. French Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. French Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. French Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. French Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. French Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. French Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. French Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. French Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. French Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. French Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. French Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. French Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. French Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. French Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. French Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison