Trainability

This breed will respond well to a variety of complex training and will excel in all forms, from obedience to dog sports. Due to their enormous amount of energy, dog sports are recommended to keep your Brittany happy, entertained and trained. The breed loves to run in open spaces so off leash training is important to ensure you have a confident ‘recall’ command. Early socialisation is a must, so make sure you expose your wee pup to as many sights, sounds, experiences and people as possible. Training should start the day your pup comes home, with simple commands like sit, recall and stay. Harsh punishment training should be avoided at all costs (as with all breeds). Brittany’s are very gentle sensitive dogs and will not take well to this type of training. It is important to be consistent with your training sessions to ensure your pup fully understand the rules of the home and learns those important doggy-manners. Puppy-preschools are a great way to get your pup started to a lifelong passion for training.

Grooming

Brittany’s are fairly easy to groom and will only require a weekly brush and a bath when required. The great news is that this breed is not a shedder, making them a fairly easy and maintainable breed when their coat is concerned. Get your new pup desensitised to being touched around the ears, face and feet. This can help with vet check-ups and also allow you to check for any possible problems. Nail trimming is important and should start during puppyhood so your fully grown-energy packed pup will accept this grooming challenge.

Exercise Requirements

If you do not live a very active life or do not have the time to exercise your dog, this is certainly not the breed for you. Brittany’s are an incredibly active and energy breed and will need a good dose of vigorous activity daily. The breed loves to run in wide-open spaces, so training is important in regard to a confident ‘recall’ command. If you do not satisfy your Brittany’s desire to run, play and explore your puppy will become very destructive. A brisk walk twice a day alongside a good off-leash run will keep your grown dog happy and entertained. Also consider enrolling in a dog sport for added fun and entertainment.

Intelligence

As an intelligent breed, if your Brittany is not correctly entertained and exercise be prepared for a little destruction. Dogs are masters at making their own entertainment, that may include chewing, digging or barking (or all of the above). The breed does not take well to long hours being left alone and will need to be exercised before settling down for the day without you. They simply adore exploring the great outdoors and running, if they are unable to exhibit this natural behaviour problems may arise.

Family Friendly

Brittany’s make wonderful family companions and are the perfect playmate for an energetic child. They will always provide a great running, skipping, chasing friend. However, their huge amount of energy and enthusiasm might be a little much for some small children. Like with all dogs ensure all interactions are supervised and please teach your children how to behave correctly around a dog. They will adapt to life easily with other pets, as long as early socialisation has been utilised.

Indoor/ Outdoor

Your Brittany will need space to run and play during the day. They will also need good secure fences to ensure their safety. However, like with all dogs, they shouldn’t be left alone outside all day every-day. Brittany’s will feel the cold and damp easily during the winter and will also need ample shade and water during the warmer months. They are a people-pleasing dog and will be their happiest when sharing time with their human-pack.

Breeding

It is very important to only source your new family member from a reputable breeding establishment, to ensure your puppy is healthy. Ask all the important questions about hereditary problems and ask to see mum and dad. Contact your local breed club and research your chosen breeder. Your breeder should have proof that they regularly test their dogs for genetic diseases and to ensure that the dogs they are breeding from have sound temperaments. It may take a little more time than a quick purchase, but it can save you and your family from unimaginable heartache and pain dealing with a sick puppy.