The Brittany Spaniel is the perfect companion dog, as he is intelligent, trainable, eager to please, and playful. If you live an active lifestyle and live to keep fit, the Brittany is the ideal match. These dogs can be timid and overly submissive, but they can become well-adjusted and a pleasure to live with, with the proper training.
Brittany spaniels are exceptionally affectionate and enjoy spending time with their owners. Their disposition is generally a happy one, and they are always glad to see you. They love cuddles and times sitting on your lap.
Brittany’s require a great deal of companionship and can’t handle being alone for more than a few hours. Some Brittany’s express anxious feelings by chewing and barking.
Aside from providing exercise opportunities, you need to show them lots of affection. These dogs thrive when they get cuddles and kisses from their owners.
This breed likes to be top of the pack, but they don’t do it by snarling and growling their way to the top; they usually get there by charming you into doing things their way. Passive resistance is what works for them.
Are Brittany Spaniels Cuddly?
These medium-sized dogs from France are too big for most laps, but they will often try to fit. The puppies are extremely cuddly, but the adults appear solid and athletic when you look at them and not affectionate. However, they are the most loving dog you are likely to encounter.
Every dog is different, and they don’t always meet what is typically expected of their breed, but, overall, these Bretons are gentle, friendly.
They adore attention and praise. They always aim to please. These dogs are sensitive and thrive with gentle and positive training.
Male Brittany Spaniels can be more affectionate than female Brittany’s. Females are pretty independent and a little more reserved, whereas the males are goofier and more pally. However, both genders have great qualities.
Brittany’s weigh about 45 pounds; they have floppy ears and a short tail. Generally, they are quite healthy dogs, but some are affected by hip dysplasia, among other illnesses, and this can affect how cuddly they are. So naturally, if a dog is happy and healthy, he is bound to be warmer than one that isn’t so well.
Brittany’s have an average lifespan of 13 years, and they are pretty energetic throughout their lives, needing long walks and constant activity.
Are Brittany Spaniels Friendly?
Brittany’s are always happy, affectionate, and friendly dogs. They are generally ok with strangers, and they can get along well with other dogs.
However, Brittany Spaniels have a natural prey drive and tend to chase after smaller animals. They were initially bred as hunting dogs, after all. Nevertheless, with the proper training, they can learn to respect all animals.
There are lots of factors that affect Brittany’s temperament including, training, socialization, and genetics. Puppies with friendly natures are playful, curious, willing to come up to people and be held by them.
It would help if you chose a puppy that isn’t hostile to his siblings or hiding in the corner. He should look happy, alert, and confident. You should meet at least the mother, if not both parents, to ensure your prospective puppy has an even temper and that you feel comfortable with him.
If you prefer to get your dog from a shelter, it’s best to choose an adult. That way, you see his authentic personality first hand, and it’s easier to decide from there.
However, if you want a Brittany Spaniel who is a joy to live with, you must ensure he has sufficient physical and mental exercise, and you must be the one in charge.
Positive reinforcement is an excellent way to get the best out of your Brittany Spaniel and help him become the friendly, well-adjusted dog he was meant to be.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Positive reinforcement training was developed in the early 1980s by Ian Dunbar to promote reward-based training. This type of training involves rewarding the right behaviors instead of correcting your dog for getting things wrong.
It is frustrating when you are told everything you’re doing is wrong; the same holds true for your dog. On the other hand, it’s nice to be told ‘good job’ now and again, and your dog loves when you tell him he’s done a good job. This helps your Brittany Spaniel understand what traits are favorable and what are not.
PRT focuses on telling your dog when he does something right and forming, rather than forcing good behaviors. One example is when teaching the “sit” command, you don’t force your pet’s hind to the ground, but instead, you use a treat to lure him to sit. The luring technique works better than force because your dog is learning to establish his behavior.
Since the behavior connects to good things like receiving a treat, good behavior should appear naturally without much input from the owner.
PRT sets an environment where your dog enjoys learning, as there is no punishment involved. Relaxed dogs learn better ad behave better. This training supports a mutually respectful relationship between you and your dog.
Fear aggression comes from punishment and can quickly occur with gentle dogs, like Brittany’s. A fearful dog can lash out at the source of fear, and it can lead to them biting as this is a dog’s only natural way for self-protection.
Are Brittany Spaniels Aggressive?
Brittany Spaniels are not an aggressive dog breed; they are generally loving and affectionate. They can be relaxed and content around strangers and other dogs.
Only a handful of dogs can be consistently characterized as intelligent, affectionate, and friendly with their owners, and the Brittany is one of these dogs. However, any dog can be aggressive, even the sweet-natured Brittany Spaniel, under certain circumstances.
When Brittany Spaniels are aggressive, it’s usually aimed at other same-sex dogs, and it’s about exerting their dominance.
There are reports of Brittany Spaniels misbehaving at dog parks and being hostile towards other dogs. Conflicts with other dogs can be dangerous, and your Brittany Spaniel or family member could be injured from dog fights. It’s essential to understand why rivalry occurs in the first place so that you can take steps to prevent it. The rivalry between dogs occurs when:
- A new animal arrives in the home
- A residential pet has died or has moved from the house
- A young Brittany reaches social maturity and begins challenging a higher-ranking dog
- A once alpha dog ages or becomes ill and cannot keep his higher status
Dogs determine their position in the hierarchy through the outcome of their actions. The process is complex, and the dogs must work this out for themselves.
If you try to interfere in any conflicts, it can do more harm than good. Body postures like standing over another dog, mounting, rolling over on their back, and lip licking show where dogs belong in their social system.
The most important thing you can do to help your Brittany is establish yourself as the pack leader gently and firmly. If your position is clear, it will help your dog understand his lower place in the social structure more clearly.
If you need to break up a dog fight, never put yourself in between them, and don’t grab by their collars; instead, squirt them with water or make a loud noise to interrupt them.
If you touch dogs while they are fighting, this can result in “redirected aggression.” This is when a dog will bite you if he thinks you’re involved in their fight. If your Brittany has been in a fight, ask your vet to refer you to an animal behaviorist. Consider the following steps to help your dog:
- Spay or neuter your dogs.
- Ensure all humans in your home are at the top of the hierarchy.
- Set fair rules and enforce them frequently. This will help your dogs feel more secure and establish your role as the leader.
- Enlist the help of a professional animal behaviorist. They can reinforce non-hostile behaviors using desensitization and counter-conditioning methods. These techniques must be tailored to meet the needs of each case.
- Do not punish your dog; Brittany’s are especially sensitive, and punishments will only confuse them and make the problem worse.
- Respond to this issue appropriately so that you do not intensify the problem and possibly cause harm to yourself or your dogs
Final Thoughts
Generally, speaking Brittany’s are exceptionally affectionate and friendly dogs that are non-aggressive.
Dogs equate time with love, and the more time you spend with your dog, the more loving he will be with you. Brittany Spaniels are sensitive souls that cannot take being left alone for more than a few hours, and they don’t respond well to punishment.
These dogs are naturally gentle, but if you want to make their best qualities shine, you must train them well and enjoy your time with them. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your dog without punishments.
If your dog seems not as affectionate as he once was, you may need to consider his circumstances.
Sometimes dogs are less amiable as they age, and if they are unwell, they can withdraw. So, if you suspect your dog is not well, he must get veterinary attention so that you can focus on his care.
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