Appearance

The Brittany is a medium-sized dog with long legs and short, single coat. They are trim dogs, without appearing too muscular. They come in orange and white or liver and white, while some may be tri-colored. They have hazel or amber eyes, depending upon the color of their coat. The ears of the Birttany are set high atop the head and are triangular in shape. Their naturally short tail may also be docked. They should not have black noses, but can have tan, fawn, brown or pink. The AKC standard sums up the breed by stating they are, “Alert and eager, but with the soft expression of a bird dog.”

Size and Weight

The Brittany stands from 17.5 to 20.5 inches at the shoulder. In the show ring, dogs who stand shorter or taller than this standard are disqualified. This breed weighs in between 30 and 40 pounds, with females averaging slightly smaller than males. Proportion is important for showing – the dog's height at the shoulder should be the same as the length of the dog.

Coat and Color

The Brittany has a flat, dense coat that is sometimes wavy, but never curly. There is slight feathering on their ears and legs, but it should never be long in length. They have loose skin that protects the dog from thorns and burrs as he works with hunters among dense brush. The Brittany comes most commonly in orange and white or liver and white. They sometimes come in roan patterns, which consist of a fine mix of white and colored hair. Ticking – small areas of black hair on a white background – is desirable. Less frequently, Brittanys come in tr-color – liver and white with orange marks on the brow, muzzle, ear, tail, legs and cheeks.

Grooming Needs

Brittanys are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. They shed very lightly throughout the year and regular brushing can make the shedding seem almost nonexistent. Dry shampoo can lessen the need for baths, and Brittanys only need bathed every few months, unless they like to get into the muck outdoors. The ears should be checked weekly for signs of redness, irritation or infection, especially if the dog is used for hunting or spends a great deal of time outdoors. Weekly cleansing of the ears with a veterinarian-approved product can help prevent painful ear infections from developing.