The Brittany became a recognized breed in 1907 when “Boy,” an orange-and-white dog, was registered as the first Brittany Spaniel in France where the breed had been registered as miscellaneous French Spaniels (Note: In 1982, the AKC dropped “spaniel” from the breed’s name by request of the American Brittany Club)

The first standard was outlined in 1907, and the breed was introduced to the US in 1931 receiving approval from the AKC in 1934.

Prior to then, however, the breed goes back. Way back. Earliest accurate records point to an actual Brittany-type dog in 17th century paintings and tapestries in which the Brittany appears frequently. The dogs seen in those renderings are hauntingly similar to dogs that developed along the Atlantic coast into the Wachtelhund. Legend suggests that the first tailless ancestor of the modern Brittany was bred in Pontou, a small town in Brittany province, in the mid 1800s.

Image of a vintage photo, date unknown, found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information.