French Brittany vs American Brittany: Key Differences Explained

Dogs are popular companions for hunters around the world. They can help the hunter find, flush, kill, and retrieve animals throughout the hunt. Some dogs were specifically bred for the purpose of hunting, and the Brittany is one of them. This dog is named for its place of origin in France, but it also has an American variety. Today, we’re going to examine the French Brittany vs American Brittany to learn what sets them apart.

Using breed data about these creatures along with sources about their prowess as hunters, we’ll differentiate these two dog breeds.

Comparing a French Brittany and an American Brittany

The 4 Key Differences Between a French Brittany vs American Brittany

The most significant differences between a French Brittany and an American Brittany can be found in their size and color. The French Brittany is known for weighing up to 40 lbs at its largest and standing about 21 inches tall while having an array of colors including black, white, orange, and liver. The American Brittany is larger, weighs up to 50 pounds, stands between 17 and 23 inches tall at its utmost, and includes patches of color in white, orange, and liver.

These are the physical differences between the animals. Although they are not vast differences, the differences are enough to help us tell the animals apart from one another. Let’s take a closer look at the four key differences between French Brittany and American Brittany.

French Brittany vs American Brittany: Size

The American Brittany is larger than the French Brittany. At least, that’s the case on average. The American Brittany breed weighs more and grows taller than the French Brittany. The French Brittany weighs between 35 and 40 pounds on average. They also stand between 17 and 21 inches tall.

Meanwhile, the American Brittany weighs between 25 and 50 pounds, a fair amount heavier than its French counterpart. Moreover, the American Brittany is taller than the French Brittany, standing another 2 inches taller than it on the high side of average.

The size differences between these dogs are not great, but they do lend some advantages to the American breed. For example, the American Brittany can run faster than the French Brittany. Also, it’s a little bit stronger, so it can retrieve larger prey during a hunt.   

French Brittany vs American Brittany: Colors

Another simple way to tell the French Brittany from American Brittany is by examining the color of their fur. After all, the French Brittany has a more diverse set of colors compared to the American Brittany.

The French breed is known for having white, black, orange, and liver colors. These colors present as patches and patterns throughout their body. However, these dogs can have a completely dark coat. It’s important to note that only French Brittany has black in its coloration. At least, that is the breed standard for these dogs.

The American Brittany only has white, orange, and liver colors. They are known for being patterned and rarely if ever, have a solid coloration to their coat. They do not have black as a part of their coat according to their breed standard.

Basically, if you see black on a Brittany dog, then it’s more likely to be French than American.

French Brittany vs American Brittany: Hunting Style

The French and American Brittanies are known as hunting dogs. They assist their owners in flushing and retrieving in most cases. Despite being very similar animals, they do have some dissimilarities in their hunting behavior.

For example, the French Brittany tends to stay closer to the hunter than the American Brittany. The American breed is known for roaming at a greater distance from its hunter. The French Brittany is considered a precise dog since it stays closer to its owner. It moves with a purpose.

The French Brittany has a somewhat strong retrieval instinct, but the American Brittany doesn’t have a powerful retrieval instinct. Yet, the American breed is also faster than the French Brittany.

The combination of differences makes the French breed better suited for use against birds and small game, like rabbits. However, the American breed is mostly just used to hunt birds.

French Brittany vs American Brittany: Lifespan

The French Brittany does not live as long as the American Brittany. On average, the French Brittany will live anywhere between 10 and 13 years. However, the American Brittany will live between 12 and 15 years.

Many factors can impact the lifespan of a dog, including access to care. These dogs are known for getting canine hip dysplasia. About one-quarter of all Brittany dogs are diagnosed with hip dysplasia at some point in their lives. With proper care, these dogs can live long, fruitful lives.

All in all, the French Brittany and the American Brittany are not too different. We can tell them apart by their color and size, along with how they behave on a hunt. Aside from these factors, it’s difficult to know one breed from the other. This is not a particularly old breed or one that has changed as a result of the differentiation once the American Brittany was developed and recognized.

Still, either of these dogs makes good companions for active people and hunters alike.