At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia gives 14-20 kg; Hill's gives 30-40 lb (about 13.6-18 kg). Neither splits by sex.
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium, flat or slightly wavy
A fine but not silky coat lying flat or with a gentle wave, short on the head and front legs with feathering at the back. A compact, short-backed body; some puppies are born with a naturally short tail.132
Personality what they are like
Bright, friendly and keen to work with its people. It learns quickly, responds best to gentle handling and brings the same sunny energy to family life as it does to the field.142
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A very energetic gundog; the Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours of exercise a day. Running, retrieving and scent work keep it happy.34
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brushing about once or twice a week keeps the coat neat; it sheds all year with more in warm months.34
Home where they are happiest
Suits active households with safe, fenced space or regular access to open country.4
Company who they like around
Very people-oriented and sociable; it enjoys being part of family activities.14
The story where it all began
Small spaniel-type bird dogs worked in Brittany for centuries, and in the early 1900s breeders refined them, partly with setter and pointer crosses. The first standard was drafted in Nantes in 1907 and adopted in 1908.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is the most numerous of the French sporting breeds.1
- 2
The first French breed club (1907) was named after the naturally bobbed tails many Brittanys are born with.3
- 3
It is described as the smallest of the versatile gun dogs that hunt, point and retrieve.4
- 4
The first dog registered in France, in 1907, was an orange and white male named Boy.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 95 (Épagneul Breton), Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 1.2 Continental Pointing Dogs, spaniel type; official valid standard dated 25.03.2003.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Gundog group (hunt, point, retrieve).3
- AKC
- Recognised in 1934; 'Spaniel' was dropped from the official name in 1982.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Brittany. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 95 Épagneul Breton fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Brittany dog (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, AKC recognition, weight, lifespan, history, facts
- Brittany, The Royal Kennel Club royalkennelclub.comused for group, exercise, grooming, lifespan, history
- Brittany, Hill's Pet hillspet.comused for weight, height, lifespan, care, facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.