“Gorgeous Britt you got there!”
That’s just one of the compliments you’ll hear about your Brittany Spaniel when you take it out for a walk! Brittanys are among some of the most popular dog breeds. They are a favorite to many and in this blog, we’ll list many reasons why!
Brittany Spaniels are hunting dogs, particularly part of the Bird Dogs group. They help bird hunters locate birds through their strong sense of smell. Their hunting skills impress us, but so do their looks and fun personality. These white and orange colored dogs don’t fail to leave an impression anywhere they go. They’re intelligent, energetic, entertaining, and affectionate but will they be a good choice as pets?
Table of Contents
Let’s learn by studying the Brittany Spaniel pros and cons!
Pros and Cons of Brittany Spaniels
Brittany Spaniel are super loyal to their owners and love them dearly. Some might buy the dog just based on that. But it’s also important to note that they can show unwanted behaviors if they dont have their way. Therefore, one must consider all the pros and cons before making a decision this big!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Energetic and athletic | Requires plenty of exercise and mental stimulation |
| Friendly and affectionate | May exhibit destructive behaviors if bored |
| Intelligent and trainable | Prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods |
| Good with children and other pets | Moderate grooming needs |
| Versatile hunting dog | May have a strong prey drive |
Pros of Owning Brittany Spaniels
People love keeping Brittany dogs as pets, and assistants in hunting. Their personality traits are a key reason most people love them. If you wanna keep one of them as your own, you should study the following pros:
Energetic and Athletic:
If dogs were people, Brittany dogs would have been athletes. They’re super athletic and full of energy. They love going on walks, playing fetch, doing tricks and just being active all day long. If you are an active person yourself, you’ll get along great with Brittanys.
Friendly and Affectionate
Brittanys are considered to be social dogs. They are friendly to people and other dogs as well. This trait of theirs makes them great candidates as house pets!
Intelligent and Trainable
Brittanys are smart dogs. They’re quite intelligent which makes them fast learners. You won’t have a hard time training them!
Good with Children and Other Pets
It’s normal to worry about pets getting along with kids. Brittanys are great in this regard. Their affectionate nature makes them friendly to kids and other pets as well. With Brittanys as pets, you shouldn’t have to worry about this problem.
Versatile Hunting Dog
Brittanys are versatile hunters. They’re mainly pointers but are great at flushing and retrieving as well. They’ve proved to be excellent assistants to bird hunters throughout time.
Cons of Owning Brittany Spaniels
Brittany Spaniels are amazing dogs. All adore their active nature & affection. But when some of their pro traits exceed the limit, they aren’t exactly pros anymore. They become the cons which we’ve explained here:
Requires Plenty of Exercise and Mental Stimulation: Dogs with high intelligence and energy need to release it somehow. They need mental and physical exercise to keep them going. They get bored and cranky if they do not receive enough of it. It can also lead to health problems like weight gain and weakened muscles.
May Exhibit Destructive Behaviors if Bored: Brittanys, like other dogs, are prone to get bored if they’re not involved in some sort of activity. They can become restless and destructive. They might dig up holes, chew on your favorite pillow, and wander around restlessly.
Prone to Separation Anxiety if Left Alone for Long Periods: If you’re someone who needs to travel a lot, expect some chewed-up furniture when you open that front door. Brittanys do not like being left alone. Being alone makes them panicked and anxious. They can destroy furniture, bark excessively, and get restless when left alone. However, with training, they can get better!
Moderate Grooming Needs: Although not excessive, Brittanys do require some grooming. Their medium-length, wavy coat requires brushing several times a week. If they’re hunting, they need frequent baths to get them out of mud and dirt. Their maintenance isn’t too high but not low either!
May Have a Strong Prey Drive: Brittanys are hunting dogs, and a strong prey drive is natural. If they see small animals they might make a jump for it. You’ll need to provide them with outlets to get this drive satisfied such as supervised hunting activities.
Who Should Own a Brittany Spaniel
Should you own a Brittany Spaniel? It depends on you as much as it does on the pros and cons. If you love the pros and can handle the cons, then these dogs are for you. People who are most suitable to own Brittany’s are listed below:
- Fitness Freaks and Active People
Fitness freaks and Brittanys share their love for physical activity. They can become exercise buddies!
- People Who Can Spend Time with Them
People who have fewer working hours can be great owners because they’re able to spend more time with their Brittanys.
- Experienced Owners
Although Brittanys are easy to train for first-time owners, more experienced owners can handle Brittanys better with their learned techniques and methods.
- Active Families
Brittanys thrive in active families. Those with older kids are more fun because they play more with the dogs.
- Hunters and Outdoor Enthusiasts:
Brittanys are hunting dogs and they love the outdoors. People who love nature and hunting can be great Brittany owners
Who Should NOT Own Brittany Spaniels
Brittany Spaniels can be demanding if their needs are not met. You should opt for a calmer dog
if you can’t spend enough time with them or don’t want a messy house. Falling in one of the following categories means you probably shouldn’t own Brittanys:
- Sedentary Individuals: By now, you know that Brittanys love being active. If you don’t have love for physical activity, Brittanys are not for you.
- First-time Owners: These dogs can be a handful for first-time owners. They can be easy to train but are pretty overwhelming. If you are a first-time owner, it’s better to start with calmer dogs.
- People with Busy Schedules: Brittanys are prone to separation anxiety. Owners with busy routines and schedules may come home to sad and angry dogs. Moreover, they won’t be able to meet their grooming needs.
People with Not Enough House Space: Brittanys need to run around and explore. When there’s not enough space, they get bored and restless.
Brittany Spaniel Quiz
Is a Brittany Spaniel Right for Me?
Take this quiz to figure out if Brittanys are a right fit for you?
Personal Experiences from Readers
Ever had or have a Brittany Spaniel? We’d love to know your experience! If you’d like to share, you can let us know by clicking the link below:
Our little pup was super easy to train. She’d learn quickly and even knows fun tricks now. She’s active and gets super excited when we’re taking her outside!
Jane
I’ve a Brittany Spaniel, he’s pretty great when I’m around but when I leave, I know he doesn’t have a good time with the way my house looks
Austin