THE BRITTANY

The Brittany is a compact, medium sized dog with short to medium length hair. Fondly referred to as "the human orientated breed", they adore people and are ready, willing and able to join in on any family activity including Swimming, Jogging, Sailing ,Camping and Horse/Bike Riding or just plane having fun. The Brittany is a very adaptable breed, at home both indoors and out. Agile, energetic, fast with a gentle, jolly happy go lucky temperament and a will to please. Brittany's are Very valued And Enthusiastic Working Gundogs and do make fantastic Obedience, Agility, Show dogs and Loyal family companions.

HISTORY

The Brittany is a French breed originating in Northern France in the Brittany region.  The Brittany was originally developed as a Poachers dog. A small easily trained obedient dog that would remain by his masters side waiting quietly and patiently until his master sent him out to retrieve the family's dinner for that evening. He would play with the children during the day  and eagerly awaiting his masters home coming .Keen and willing to perform his daily task of helping to gather the family meal. Which generally consisted of Grouse, Wood Cock, Pheasant, Quail, Duck plus Rabbits and Hare. Brittany's were first imported into Australia in 1974 and 1975 three from France ,one from The Netherlands ,two from Main land U.S.A and two from Hawaii. These imports played a very important part in the development of the breed  here in Australia.

The Brittany is classified as a Utility Gundog which means that they hunt, point, flush and retrieve their game. The Brittany is used in Australia for hunting Stubble Quail, Duck, Rabbit, Hare and to a lesser degree Foxes, pigs and Deer. The Brittany as yet  has not been split into show and field lines, unlike many other breeds.

CHARACTERISTICS

The Brittany is a medium sized dog growing to approximately 51cms at the shoulder and weighing between 13-18 kgs. They fit nicely into the family car and don't take up much room. They are a leggy dog in appearance with great stamina, energy and intelligence. This gives the Brittany the ability to be easily trained and cover large amounts of ground. Coupled with the desire for hunting and refusal to quit this makes the breed  very versatile for show ,Obedience, Agility, field work and or an active fun loving family companion.

TEMPERAMENT

Brittany's are a happy alert dog neither shy or mean. They are energetic fun loving and enjoy the company of people of any age. Brittany's are loyal, affectionate and eager to please their master as well as being good watch dogs. They make fantastic pets for children especially 4 to 5 years and up, though smaller children may get their faces washed several times a day and get pushed over by an over exuberant puppy wanting to play. If supervised the puppy soon learns not to knock his small master over and baby and puppy grow up together and become the best of friends.

Brittany's have also proven themselves as being very important companions for the elderly as well. I have first hand knowledge of this scenario as i placed my American Import Aust Ch PJ'S All Kiddin Aside (Coke) with My Elderly parents. Coke was 5 years old when he went to live with mum and dad it was a match made in heaven. Dad had bred Working border Collies ever since he was a young boy in Scotland as did his father and his father before him. My father had an uncanny ability to gain any dogs trust and love. Coke was besotted, my dad could not move with out his little orange and white shadow where ever dad was so was Coke.

But in 2002 the unthinkable happened ,my dad pasted away suddenly.

Coke was beside himself he walked the house for days looking for him when any one came to the door he would run expectantly to the door just to be sorely disappointed every time. He sat outside the closed toilet door for days thinking he must be in there. We had to leave the door open so he would move away. It broke our hearts to see him like this.

But with time Coke turned all that immense affection and love towards my now 80 year old mum. So now mum has a constant Orange and white shadow, Who will not let her out of his sight just in case she doesn't come back!!!!!!! Coke has certainly helped my mother through a very difficult and lonely time. We are convinced it is because of Coke that mum is still living on her own and very much able to look after herself. And we know that our mother is very safe in her own home with her little orange and white body guard who has just turned 11 years old!!!!!!!!

TRAINING

The Brittany is a tough, rugged little dog with a great deal of courage and spirit. The are very active, fast and skilful when hunting and are excellent retrievers on both land and water. The Brittany is an easy dog to train and excels at obedience and agility. They can become bored with repetitious training so it is essential to put variety into their routines. The Brittany does not respond well to hard or rough handling gentle positive training is defiantly the way to go with these little guys.

CARE & FEEDING

Brittany's are fondly referred to as the Wash 'n' Wear dog. The coat is of a short to medium length with some fringing on the back of their legs. The coat is designed not to absorb or hold water, mud or dirt. After bathing a quick rub with a towel and a shake and they are almost dry. A quick brush and you are done. Brittany's are small and inexpensive to feed although they are very good eaters. If you keep filling their bowl they will keep eating it, so care must be taken to follow any feeding instructions from the breeder and monitor the Brittany's condition or you could end up with one that looks like a wombat!!!!!!!

For more Information contact

Fiona Brown-Elkner & Laurie Elkner

Victoria Australia

(03) 5369 4207

0400964100

International callers please Dial 61 3 53694207

email : tobenlee@dragnet.com.au