Springer vs Brittany Spaniel: Which breed is the better sporting dog?
Battle of the Sporting Dogs: Springer vs Brittany Spaniel
Generally speaking, sporting dogs make fabulous companions because they have been breed to work so closely with people. They are usually quite easy to train for field work, and the skills they learn there carry over nicely to other activities such as agility trials and fly ball competitions.
Energy is never in short supply with sporting breeds; they are always ready to go whenever you are, and simply wait for you to give them the signal. As you might expect, this inbred characteristic of cooperation also makes these dogs wonderful family companions. You can work them in the field, and play and cuddle with them at home. What more can you ask for?
Due to their affable natures, they normally get along quite well with other dogs of similar type, with the exception of some smaller breeds that may be perceived more as field quarry than fellow canines. That said, a proper introduction and initial supervision is usually enough to integrate both types of dogs into the same household.
In a group of dogs renowned for their grace, beauty and athleticism, two breeds in particular stand out from the competition: the English Springer Spaniel and the Brittany. Let's find out why.
Springer
Some sportsmen wouldn't consider taking any breed other than the English Springer Spaniel into the field with them. These dogs are extremely attentive to their owners' every move and practically anticipate their next command.
Brittany
For others, no other sporting dog compares to the talented Brittany Spaniel. The concentration these dogs display when they're on the job is intense, and they certainly can hold their own with the best of the pointer breeds.
Who's the Best?
Is one breed honestly better than the other? Let's do a little side-by-side comparison.
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| Characteristic | Springer | Brittany |
| Country of Origin | England | France |
| Height | Medium -sized breed, approximately twenty inches tall at the shoulder | Medium-sized breed, approximately nineteen inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | Forty-five to fifty pounds | Thirty to forty pounds |
| Coat | Moderately long with extra feathering on the legs, chest, ears, brisket and tail | Dense, flat and sometimes wavy with just a bit of feathering on the chest |
| Shedding | Moderate to heavy | Light |
| Temperament | Friendly, eager and obedient, but can become overly attached to owner and neurotic if left alone too long | Alert, intelligent and affectionate, but also rambunctious if not exercised enough |
| Trainability | Cooperative and eager to please, but soft and must be handled with care | Quick learners, but do not respond well to harsh scolding |
| Field use | Flush game birds out of the brush | Pointer and retriever |
| Exercise needs | Moderately high | High |
| Life expectancy | Fourteen years | Twelve years |
| Health concerns | *Blindness *Hip dysplasia *Epilepsy *von Willebrand's disease *Rage syndrome | *Hip dysplasia *Epilepsy *Chronic ear infections |
| Westminster BIS | Six | None so far |
And the Winner Is...
Honestly, comparing Springers to Brittanies is like comparing apples to oranges. These breeds are so closely matched that it really comes down to two points: preference and purpose.
Personal Preference
Which breed do you think is more attractive? The Springer with its handsome ear furnishings and beautiful liver coat is certainly impressive, yet there's something to be said for the streamline, no nonsense build of the classic Brittany. When it comes to good looks, it's all a matter of personal preferences.
Purpose
Purpose is an easier point to define. All things considered equal, do you need a pointer that will reliably find hiding game and retrieve it when the time comes? Then choose the Brittany. If you need a dog that will track down game birds and flush them out into the open for you, then the Springer is the obvious choice.
Our advice: get one of each and have the best of both worlds!
