🐕Brittany Spaniel: gear and buying guides

The Brittany is the smallest of the pointing breeds, around 14 to 18 kg, yet one of the most enduring and a favourite of French hunters. Lively, gentle with the family and tireless at work, it demands substantial physical activity every day. Its equipment must keep up: a long line, a sturdy harness and gear that stands up to outings in open country.

Profile : A medium dog of 14 to 18 kg with a fine, flat or slightly wavy coat, very high energy and a strong pointing instinct.

Brittany Spaniel gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  An adult of 14 to 18 kg gets around 200 to 300 g of kibble per day, the upper range applying to dogs that hunt or run for several hours. During the hunting season or periods of hard exercise, a higher-energy working-dog diet is often justified.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  Its fine, flat coat is easy-going: weekly brushing is enough, stepped up after outings in undergrowth to remove debris and grass seeds. Systematically check ears, pads and armpits after every outing in scrubby terrain.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  This pointing dog needs far more than parlour games: retrieving, scent work, canicross or field-training sessions fulfil it. An under-exercised Brittany becomes restless and can develop destructive behaviours.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A sturdy, washable size-M bed suits it, with a house and fenced garden being ideal, though it can live in a flat with several hours of daily exercise. The fencing must be serious: once on a scent, it can cover long distances.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Used to trips to the hunting grounds, it travels well in a rigid size-M crate secured in the boot, the safest option for a dog of this build. In game-rich areas, a 10 to 15 m long line and a solidly trained recall are your best allies; a GPS collar reassures many owners.

• 🧰 Accessories

  Plan for a tough size-M harness, a long line, a recall whistle and a collapsible field bowl for long outings. During hunting or hiking season, a hi-vis vest improves its visibility, and a tick remover belongs in the basic kit.

Guides to read

• Which senior dog food should you choose? The complete guideFood

  Protein, phosphorus, joints, palatability: how to choose senior dog food suited to an ageing dog, and how much it costs.

• Large breed dog food: steady growth and a sensitive stomachFood

  Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, kibble size, bloat prevention: how to choose large breed dog food, from puppyhood to adulthood.

• Wet or dry dog food: which should you feed day to day?Food

  Hydration, palatability, budget, tartar: wet or dry dog food, the pros and cons of each option, and why mixed feeding is worth considering.

• Automatic dog feeder: which one should you choose?Food

  Capacity, scheduling, anti-jam mechanism, backup battery: how to choose an automatic dog feeder to match your daily routine.

• Lick mat for dogs: the anti-stress accessory worth adopting?Toys & enrichment

  Why licking soothes, which toppings to use, silicone or rigid plastic: how to choose a lick mat for your dog and use it safely.

• Kong-style stuffable dog toy: how do you pick the right one?Toys & enrichment

  Toughness levels, sizes, filling ideas, freezing: everything you need to choose a Kong-style stuffable toy and keep your dog busy the smart way.

• Dog puzzle toys: brain games worth playingToys & enrichment

  Difficulty levels, materials, mistakes to avoid: how to choose a dog puzzle toy and work your dog's nose without frustrating it.

• Puppy playpen: choosing a secure indoor penBedding & habitat

  Height, materials, floor space, house-training: how to choose a puppy playpen and use it without turning it into a prison.