Brittany spaniel, breed of medium-sized sporting dog whose origins may be traced back hundreds of years to France and Spain. It stands about 19 in. (48.3 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 30 and 40 lb (13.6–18.1 kg). Its dense, flat or wavy coat is dark orange and white or liver and white. Many Brittany spaniels are born tailless or very short-tailed, and a tail that is more than 4 in. (10.2 cm) long is docked to that length. Although it is a “leggy” spaniel, it has a compact body—its height at its shoulder often equals its body length. The Brittany is a first-rate hunter and may easily be trained to retrieve, both on land and water. It is the only spaniel that points its quarry. See dog.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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