Live Life Team
This dog, also called the Epagneul Breton, is a gun dog originating from the Brittany area of France. Despite its name, it is not a spaniel but a pointer. In France, the word, Epagneul, actually refers to long-haired pointer types and is derived from the old French verb for “to crouch.” Brittany Pointers are of ancient origin, and although it first registered in 1907, they can be traced back to the Oysel dogs of Mediaeval France. These were a small, dark breed of short or stub-tailed spaniel.
In the latter part of the 19th century, it became popular for English hunters to bring their dogs to France for the season. These interbred with the native stock, first by accident and then by design. The modern Brittany is a mixture of native Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, and English Setter breeds.
In 1907, the first breed standard was established by the French Kennel club, but it has endured many changes and “improvements” since then. This dog is the smallest of the Epagneul breeds with a typical Continental Pointer head and a short, almost non-existent tail. This was originally a natural feature, and dogs are still occasionally born without a tail. It is a solid, short-coupled dog that is, at the same time, elegant and light boned.
The coat of the Brittany is medium length and flowing and comes in many colour variations. It is a good natured breed that is still predominantly used for hunting game, such as partridge and grouse. There is also an American type of Brittany that is now registered as a separate breed.
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