Breed profile

Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton)

A versatile French gundog. White coat with orange markings. Cheerful, energetic character. An excellent athlete. Very popular as a hunting companion but also an active family dog.

Origin: Francia (Bretaña) Size: Mediano Lifespan: 12-14 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Hunters
✓Sports enthusiasts (canicross, running)
✓Very active families

Reconsider if

×Sedentary families
×Flats without long exercise

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Is the Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Tendency to bark

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

55-90 €/month

Food 30-48 €, ear cleaners and antiparasitics 10-15 €, veterinary allowance 15-25 €, accessories 5-10 €. A healthy breed with an easy coat: contained costs except for emergencies.

History and origin

Recognised by the FCI. Originating in France (Brittany). A versatile French gundog.

Temperament and character

Active, intelligent, loyal. Attached to its family. Needs a daily mental AND physical 'task'. Strong bond with its primary handler.

Living together

Children: good with its own. **Other dogs:** sociable with socialisation. **Other animals:** with early socialisation.

Life stages of the Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton)

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 12-14 años.

Puppy

0-12 months

Socialisation and channelling of its very high energy; stimulation of the pointing instinct; gentle handling of its sensitivity.

Young

1-3 years

Intense daily exercise and field work; positive training; cleaning of the drop ears.

Adult

3-8 years

Maintaining athletic condition, weight control and checking hips and thyroid.

Senior

8+ years

Joint monitoring, thyroid blood work and adapting exercise.

Care

Exercise: 90-120 min/day + scent stimulation.

Grooming: weekly (more for the rougher coat).

Feeding: active-dog food.

Vet: annual check-up + ear control (long ears).

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Quality food for a medium-sized sporting dog, adjusting the portion to its intense energy expenditure without allowing it to become overweight.

✂️ Grooming

A fine, feathered coat that is very easy to maintain: weekly brushing and attention to the ears. Moderate shedding.

🎓 Training

Very intelligent, sensitive and eager to please: one of the easiest pointers to train with positive reinforcement, but harsh handling crushes it. An intense bond with its primary person.

🏃 Exercise

90-120 min of daily exercise with running and scent work; one of the most energetic gundogs, ideal for canicross or running, unsuitable for a sedentary life.

Breed-specific health

Recurrent otitis. Dysplasia. Bloat. Life expectancy 12-14 years.

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

🦴Displasia de cadera ⚡Convulsiones y epilepsia 🦴Hipotiroidismo

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

🐾Dermatitis atópica 🍄Tiña (dermatofitosis)🦟Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)🤢Gastroenteritis ☠️Parvovirosis canina 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton)

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Official hip radiograph (dysplasia)
✓Neurological assessment in case of seizures (epilepsy)
✓Ear examination (otitis due to drop ears)
✓Blood work with a thyroid panel (hypothyroidism)

Prevention

Plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, regular ear cleaning and weight control. A generally healthy breed; keep vaccination and deworming up to date, with sandfly protection in endemic areas.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with blood work from age 5-6; two visits a year from age 8.

Warning signs

!Seizures or episodes of disconnection (epilepsy)
!Head shaking or a bad smell from the ears (otitis)
!Lameness or hip stiffness
!Weight gain or apathy (hypothyroidism)

Frequently asked questions about the Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton)

How long does a Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) live?

▾

The life expectancy of the Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) is 12-14 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) weigh?

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An adult Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) weighs between 14-18 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is mediano.

Where does the Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) breed come from?

▾

The Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) originates from Francia (Bretaña). Recognised by the FCI. Originating in France (Brittany). A versatile French gundog.

How much exercise does a Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) need?

▾

The Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) has muy alta energy. **Exercise:** 90-120 min/day + scent stimulation.

Is the Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) good with children?

▾

**Children:** good with its own. **Other dogs:** sociable with socialisation. **Other animals:** with early socialisation.

Who is the Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) NOT recommended for?

▾

It isn't the right breed for: Sedentary families. Flats without long exercise. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

What health problems does the Brittany Spaniel (Epagneul Breton) have?

▾

Recurrent otitis. Dysplasia. Bloat. Life expectancy 12-14 years.

Is it one of the easiest spaniels to train?

▾

Yes. It is very intelligent, sensitive and eager to please, which makes it one of the most manageable pointers/spaniels. That said, it requires positive reinforcement: harsh handling makes it withdraw easily.

How much exercise does it need?

▾

A lot: 1.5-2 hours of intense daily activity with running and scent work. It is a tireless hunting athlete, perfect for running or canicross and poorly suited to quiet homes.

Is it a good family dog?

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Excellent with children and very attached to its people, to the point of suffering from loneliness. It fits active families that integrate it into their life and give it daily exercise.

Does it shed a lot?

▾

Moderate. Its fine, feathered coat is maintained with a weekly brushing and does not need clip grooming, only attention to the ears and feet after being in the field.

Does it have common health problems?

▾

It is one of the healthiest gundog breeds. It is worth watching for hip dysplasia, otitis from drop ears and, less frequently, epilepsy and hypothyroidism.