Are you still calling the breed the Brittany Spaniel?

Stop that.

Originally, the AKC did recognize the breed as the Brittany Spaniel, but in 1982, the name was changed to “just” Brittany at the request of the parent club. Why? Because the breed’s hunting style is more “setter-like” than it is “spaniel-like.” It’s a pointing dog, not a flushing dog. 

The Brittany works in the same manner as a pointer, but without the large range. He points and holds his game, retrieves on land and in water, and while used mostly on upland game in the United States, the Brittany is proficient on both fur and feather in France. Because hunting is becoming limited to smaller fields with more fences, the Brittany, a breed with shorter range, is growing increasingly more popular. His compact size, exceptional nose, and a pleasing disposition helps account for the breed’s high standing among hunters.

As far as we know,  the Brittany has more dual champions than any other sporting breed (a dog holding both conformation and field titles), and this is no small thing. Whatever your breed, if your dog has a dual championship, share his or her picture with us below and let us brag for you.

Image of an oil painting that hangs in the National Bird Dog Museum in honor of a dog named “Ajax VII” on the occasion of his Induction into the 2006 Brittany Field Trial Hall of Fame and the 2006 American Brittany Club Hall of Fame.