Brittany
General Information - Brittany
Group:
Gundog
Size:
Medium
Lifespan:
12-13 years
Exercise:
Very high
Grooming:
Very low
Trainability:
High
Watchdog Ability:
Very high
Protection Ability:
Very low
Area of Origin:
France
Date of Origin:
1800s
Other Names:
Epagneul Breton, Brittany Spaniel
Original Function:
Pointing and retrieving
History
The origin of the Brittany is controversial. The Brittany may have resulted from a crossing between the Orange & White Setter and some not clearly identified French dog. This hearty hunting dog probably originated in Brittany, a province in France. It is believed to have been first shown at a French dog show in 1896. It was recognised as a breed as early as 1905 but official recognition came in 1938 with a recognised standard. They used to be called the Brittany Spaniel. The 'Spaniel' was dropped, as they were the only breeds of Gundog that could enter two breed classes at field trials.
Upkeep
The Brittany is generally a hardy dog that requires little maintenance. Its major requirement is for abundant exercise, at least an hour of exertion — not just walking — every day. For this reason, it is not suited for apartment life. It can live outdoors in temperate weather, but it is a social dog that needs human interaction. Its coat is not particularly thick or long, but it does require brushing once or twice weekly.
Brittany
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
Breed Standard - Brittany
General Appearance: Workmanlike. Substance without heaviness. Moderately well:boned. Lively with an intelligent expression. Square and cobby appearance.
Characteristics: Very energetic, intelligent, hunt-point-retriever. Exceedingly keen game sense, persistent in hunting and finding game. A naturally keen worker with distinctive gait.
Temperament: Gentle and affectionate yet full of life and exuberance.
Head and Skull: Skull slightly rounded as seen from front, side or above. Toplines of skull and muzzle should be parallel. Width of skull measured at the zygomatic arches is less than its length. Median line and occiput are slightly defined. Stop moderate. Muzzle tapered but not snipy. Ideal proportion of skull to muzzle as 3 is to 2. Nostrils open and well shaped.
Eyes: Expressive, brown to dark, in harmony with coat colour, Somewhat oval in shape and slightly obliquely set. Never light or hard in expression.
Ears:Triangular in shape, slightly rounded at tip. Relatively wide and rather short with slightly wavy hair. Set and carried high, falling flat against the cheek. When drawn forward, the ear tip reaches the stop.
Mouth: Jaws strong with a perfect regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Lips tight, upper lip slightly overlapping lower.
Neck: Medium length, clean and well set into shoulders.
Forequarters: Shoulders muscular and moderately sloping. Angulation slightly less that that of the hindquarters. Tops of shoulder blades set fairly wide. Elbows close to body. Forelegs muscular, vertical and straight. Pasterns slightly sloping.
Body: Chest deep. Brisket reaching to elbow. Foreleg length is slightly greater than chest depth. Ribcage well rounded. Back short with loin short and strong. Topline slopes slightly from withers to croup. Croup very slightly sloping to set on of tail. Height at withers equal to length of body measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock.
Hindquarters: Moderate bend of stifle. Point of buttock and hock on approximately the same vertical. Thighs broad and muscular. Rear pastern vertical to ground.
Feet: Rather round, tight and compact with little hair between the toes. Rear feet slightly longer.
Tail: Naturally tailless, short or customarily docked.
Docked - Set high, carried horizontally or slightly lower.
Undocked - Set high, carried horizontally or slightly lower.
Gait/Movement: Brisk, short stride, Should retain topline when moving. Hindlegs have little rear extension.
Coat: Body coat dense but fairly fine. Rather flat or slightly wavy. Forelegs slightly feathered and hindlegs well feathered to mid-thigh.
Colour: Orange/white, liver/white, black/white, tricolour, or roan of any of these colours. Nose dark or harmony with coat colour.
Size: Ideal Height At Withers - Dogs 48:51 cms (19:20 ins); Bitches: 47:50 cms (18½:193/4 ins).
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
DNZ No 338
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
23 Dec 2013
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
