What Is A French Brittany?

The Epagneul Breton (French Brittany) is a medium sized sporting dog originating in the Bretagne (Brittany or Breton) region of France. It is a relatively old breed having early origins of before 1900. The "original Breton" was shown in Paris the first time in 1896. The original Epagneul Breton was recognized as a distinct breed in 1907, which coincidently was the birth year of my mother and our state of Oklahoma.

Photos throughout this web page show colors and general type. The French Brittany is the "Epagneul Breton" in France and often is called the "Breton" which is Brittany. We will use all these names throughout this web page. In order to designate the Epagneul Breton from the "Americanized Brittany," the writers of the 1970s and 1980s coined the word "French Brittany." But, in reality there is no such thing – the dog is an Epagneul Breton.

The precise Breed Standard (Conformation Standard) is published on the United Kennel Club (UKC) Web site. Go to: www.ukcdogs.com, then click on "Registration," then breed "Breeds," then "Gun Dog," then "Epagneul Breton." Then you are at the Epagneul Breton Breed Conformation Standard.

In the early evolutionary development of the Epagneul Breton (French Brittany), many dogs were used. It was not a precise plan. The Epagneul Breton was basically developed by the peasant farmer and stockmen of Bretagne in NW France to fit the needs of their time. The dog is thus a "hybrid," having its origins from several gene pools.

However, the standard was well set by the early 1900's and the good Epagneul Breton of today looks very similar to the good ones of yesteryear. But, due in part to the great variation in original gene pool, there is variation in today's French Brittany everywhere.

To some degree, major French Kennels have developed their own type within the standard Epagneul Breton (French Brittany) not too little and not too big. Our Epagneul Bretons (French Brittanies) are of the usual size of the conformation guidelines.

From a color standpoint, we have, or have had, a few orange and white with pink nose; orange and white with black nose, lips, and eyelids (our usual in the orange in white); black and white; liver and white; black, white and orange tricolor; and liver, white and orange tricolor. The white on a given dog will vary from near pure white to ticked to roan. Color does not put more birds in the skillet, but it is a pleasant visual phenomenon of the Epagneul Breton.

Other parts of this web page will tell more on "What Is the French Brittany."

The original introduction of the Epagneul Breton into North America apparently come during the 1920's. There was more intense importations during the 1930's. But, independent Americans, being what they are, did not adhere to the strict French standards. As time passed, there were many "types" of Americanized Brittanies.

And in fall 2002, the true Epagneul Breton (French Brittany) was declared a separate breed from the now "Americanized" Brittany. So, now in the United States of America there is the "French Brittany", or "Epagneul Breton" or Breton and the "Brittany" which is the American "Fork in the road" derived primarily from the original imports of about 4 scores of years ago.

In general, the Epagneul Breton has a high level of instincts for scenting and pointing bird, "natural" retrieving, "natural" backing, and a high level of desire for human interaction. That makes them easy to train or "let learn," but all instincts must be honed into a skill by proper exposure to the hunting game.