About Epangeul Bretons

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About Epagneul Bretons

  The Epagneul Breton, or French Brittany as the western hemisphere refers to it as, is the smallest pointing gun dog in the world.  They were developed in the French province of Brittany in the 1800s.  The proper appearance of a French Brittany is known as "cobby."  An Epagneul Breton should be square, as long from the withers to the base of the tail as it is from the withers to the front feet, and the base of the tail to the hind feet.  They are fast and light on their feet.  Epagneul Bretons use the wind to their advantage as they cover the hunting grounds, periodically checking back to their handler as they hunt..  The average weight is 30 to 40 pounds.  Epagneul Bretons can be orange and white, liver and white, black and white, or a tricolor of liver, orange, and white, or black, orange, and white.  They have fine, but not silky hair, with feathering on the hind part of the limbs.  This dog adapts itself to any environment, it is sociable, with an intelligent and attentive expression, mentally balanced.  It's a versatile pointing dog, for any game on any terrain, precocious in revealing its hunting passion.  It's remarkable in its searching for game, its gaits, its scenting ability, its ranging in the field, its spontaneity and duration of pointing, its retrieving, and its aptitude for training.  This is merely a brief description, please don't hesitate to inquire about more Breton details.

   Epagneul Bretons have the unique quality of being fantastic gun dogs, as well as wonderful house pets at the same time.  They can go from spending a whole day in the field hunting pheasants to spending a rainy Sunday in the rocking chair.  Of course, when they are in a new place, they have a need to check out the new surroundings, but once they are settled in, they can be surprisingly docile house pets.  Their size also plays into this.  Obviously, their small size is a good fit in the home.  It prevents them from knocking over the coffee table and bowling over the 3-year old.  Which brings up the point that they are also great with kids.  These are just some more facets of Epagneul Bretons that those of us lucky enough to own one or more certainly appreciate.

    Also, there is the matter of the difference between the two Brittanys.  The split began when Epagneul Bretons were brought to America in the early to mid-1900's.  It was then that Americans selectively bred them to the extent that it, in fact, physically, tempermentally, and hunting-wise changed the breed.  Thus, they created the American Brittany.  Meanwhile, back in France, they were still producing Epagneul Bretons just as fine as ever.  These French dogs have since been brought over once again, and a group of American people have been breeding and utilizing them, all the while, being particular about maintaining their true Epagneul Breton qualities.  Therefore, we have what we have today.  There are, undoubtedly, two separate types of dogs.  Which is fine, as long as people remember to treat them as such.