Brittanys 101

Name: Brittany

Personality: Named after the region of France from where it originated in the 1800s, the Brittany is described by the American Kennel Club as being a "dual-purpose" pooch, "equally suited for sport and companionship." That means it's "strong, quick and agile," "neither mean nor shy," and a "happy and alert dog who possesses willing attitude." The American Brittany Rescue frames the breed's personality spectrum even more broadly: "They range from mellow to extremely active, big to small, soft tempered to stubborn."

Grooming: The Brittany's coat is dense but not high-maintenance, and shedding is described by Breeder Retriever as "light to moderate." "It will need a good brushing with a slicker brush once or twice a week to get out dead hair (especially at the start of fall and spring), and to make sure the dog is free of parasites such as fleas or ticks," says the American Brittany Rescue. Otherwise, unless it's a show dog, there's "no clipping necessary." Breeder Retriever recommends checking the ears after playing in brambles and brush.

Common Health Issues: The American Brittany Rescue warns that a Brittany's diet needs to be closely monitored throughout its life, as this "very good eater" should not see its weight creep above the 35-45 pound range. Other than that, "health problems are rare," according to Breeder Retriever.

Training Tips: Brittanys are known for being "very adaptable, and an older dog can easily learn the rules of a new house and family," according to American Brittany Rescue, which bodes well for anyone considering adopting an adult Brittany. However, a Brittany may be just as likely to want to set the rules of a new house and family, so any Brittany owner must know how to exude alpha-dog confidence. Group obedience classes that emphasize positive reinforcement are recommended, as is vigorous daily exercise as way to keep your Brittany content and therefore far less likely to act out.

Best For: There are lots of facts and opinions out there about what makes the best Brittany-living environment. Breeder Retriever notes that apartments are out. Letting a Brittany roam "open areas whenever you can, especially with other dogs" is important. Also a plus: "damp and cold conditions." The first thing the American Brittany Rescue notes on its Web site about owning one of the breed is that, despite the Brittany's agreeable, likable demeanor, it is definitely not a dog for everyone. "They can make excellent family dogs and excel in many areas, but they require personal attention every day... and most do not make good 'kennel' or outside dogs." If you can truly make your pet a member of the family, then the Brittany will return your loyalty and affection tenfold. Something else to consider, though: "A Brittany may not be a good choice for your very first dog. Many Brittanys will try to be the top of their pack. They won't do it by fighting and snarling their way to the top; they'll most often do it by charming you into doing things their way."

What Brittany Owners Say: "I am hooked," says our Brittany-loving Paw Nation Facebook friend Patti McCaffery Hansen of Dublin, Ohio. "Probably won't have any other breed in my home. They are loving, playful, devious and full of life. Never a dull moment. A big difficulty: Walking nicely on leash. Just too many smells for them." But Lisa L. Dean of Stonington, Main warns, "They are too bouncy for pets. Hyper!"

Tags: breton, breton dog, brittany, brittany dog, Choosing a Dog Breed, ChoosingADogBreed, Dog Breed 101, DogBreed101, Dogs 101, Dogs101, Pet Adoption, PetAdoption