Brittany

The Brittany originated in the Brittany region of northwestern France, where local hunters developed compact bird dogs capable of working closely with people in varied countryside. Dogs resembling the modern breed appear in European paintings and tapestries from centuries ago, but the recognizable Brittany became established during the 19th century. Local French hunting dogs were likely crossed with pointing and setting dogs, including British sporting dogs brought across the English Channel by visiting hunters. The resulting dogs combined a strong pointing instinct with speed, agility, and a willingness to retrieve. They were particularly useful to hunters who wanted a versatile dog rather than a large specialist. The first French breed standard was drawn up in the early 20th century, and the breed later spread to North America, where it became especially popular with upland bird hunters. For many years Americans commonly called it the Brittany Spaniel. In 1982, the American Kennel Club shortened the official name to Brittany, reflecting the fact that its hunting style is closer to that of pointers and setters than traditional flushing spaniels. The breed remains strongly associated with bird hunting on both sides of the Atlantic.