Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Petfinder Post: Brittany Spaniels and

Yes, this post has been delayed by glyphosate-related narcolepsy.

As we continue our study of the dog breeds the Bullies, Biddies, & Bossyboots of Britain want to render extinct, we come to something called the Bracco. What's that? It's an Italian breed of pointer--not common in the United States, but being marketed here online. Braccos are another dense, ripped breed who stand about two feet high at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 88 pounds. They are described as stubborn but trainable, affectionate, loyal, and loving to hunt. They're recommended to "hunting families." 

Right. Hunting is a survival skill and needs to be kept alive but this web site does not think of it as a sport. This web site will simply note that Petfinder has no listing for Braccos, or Bracchi. They may be in some shelters, but not enough to be listed on the web site. 

So, next on the list are Brittany Spaniels. I'm not familiar with that breed, either. Show-quality Brittanies stand up to 20" high at the shoulder and weigh up to 40 pounds. Males are a little bigger than females but the size difference is not necessarily as noticeable in this breed as in some. 

The part of France that's called Brittany proudly claims these dogs as epagneuls Bretons but, in the US and Canada, some argue that they're not Real Spaniels "because their primary instinct is not JUST flushing game." Some North American owners and breeders want to refer to the breed simply as Brittanies. Fashion-conscious people of a certain age, however, think of "Brittanies" as a term for their daughter Brittanie and her schoolmates Britnee, Britney, and Brittoni.

What's the problem the British Busybodies have with this breed? They have floppy ears but the problem, according to the Humane Society,"Let's save all domestic animals from the pain of being alive," types, is that too many people think they want a Brittany just for its looks. Like Australian Shepherds and Border Collies, which they resemble in some ways, these dogs need substantial amounts of interesting exercise to thrive. People who aren't willing to keep up with their Brittanies then dump these charming, photogenic dogs in shelters. 

Brittanies were bred to hunt. Their dream jobs probably involve running through the woods beside their humans and helping the humans bring home full bags of game birds. Since even those who still hunt no longer hunt for food every single day, people who want to adopt Brittanies need to have some other way these dogs can put their energy to good use. Getting the family couch potato off the couch is excellent if the couch potato is willing to let  the dog do it. Many Brittanies do well in dog athletic clubs. 

Brittanies' coat colors always include some white--usually white coats with brown or black patches above, sometimes mottled "roan." Like all of my current resident cat family, who are basically white cats with gray, black, or calico spots. This is due to the "dominant white" gene and not the "lethal white" gene, which causes hairs to fail to develop color and can cause other parts of the body to develop functionality. So this week's photo contest will be for cats who are mostly white with some black or orange spots above.

(Although Brittanies don't have the "lethal white" gene, they can have some other problem genes. 
Weaknesses of the heart, joints, eyes, and immune system run in some Brittany bloodlines, as does epilepsy. They are generally a healthy breed who live 12 to 15 years; they usually do well with children but plans have to be made for their care when the children go off on their own.)

Zipcode 10101: Maple from Texas by way of Port Chester 


Maple is a crossbreed with some retriever ancestry, so she's bigger than a purebred Brittany--over 60 pounds. She likes to please humans but someone in the family needs to be able to carry her. She is young, full of energy and enthusiasm, but only minimally trained. You'll need to complete her education to include things like walking on leash, sitting and staying. If you're not up for at least an hour of serious workout time every day, ask about a smaller or older dog. 

Pancake from NYC


Pancake and his brother Waffle were living with a feral cat colony but were brought inside at an early age and have become pretty much house pets. Pancake is white with gray tabby spots; Waffle is white with black spots. They have been neutered.

Zipcode 20202: Bella from Westminster 


Bella is part Beagle, so not oversize for a Brittany. She is ten years old. She has had a good deal of training and has shown one problem. She gets anxious and barks if she's left alone in the house. Her humans tried doping her rather than hiring a dog sitter. Pills didn't work. This dog just wants one of her humans to be in the house all the time. 

Sneaker from DC 


Sneaker and four siblings have "mixed hair." They may be a little less fluffy when they grow up but they'll have extra soft, likely longish hair. Their web pages have been set up individually, but they'd like to  find a foster home together. They are available as foster kittens. If you're not sure which one you want to keep, you can register as a foster parent, take home all five, and get some help with their maintenance expenses while encouraging someone else to take some of them.

Zipcode 30303: Jimmy and Jimbo from Greenville 


Jimmy is black-and-tan and white. He is eleven years old. Jimbo, his son,is light brown and white. He is ten years old. They are considered geriatric dogs who don't need to be neutered. They have spent their whole lives together, most of those years with an elderly male human who died. Separating the dogs is not considered advisable. Take two, they're not very big. Apart from mourning they seem to be in good condition.

Smudge from Chattanooga 


Just another surplus kitten but she seems as if she might be a baby Queen Cat. She reportedly "gets along wonderfully with dogs." 
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