Breton Water Dog
The Breton spaniel belongs to the breeds of French dogs, since it is native to the region of Brittany, its original name is therefore Spaniel Breton. In French, the pet says “squats”, which these animals do perfectly in their work as advanced dogs.
- It is one of the oldest breeds of spaniel.
- As evidenced by the fact that in 1907 the first specimen of the breed had already been established in Nantes.
- And that same year the Club of Epagneul Breton with short tail was founded.
- That is.
- In the beginning.
- The breed is called Epagnuel Breton short tail.
- But the adjective that refers to the size of the tail was lost over time.
- Leaving the name reduced to Spaniel Breton.
- The breed was recognized on May 31.
- 1907 by the Canine Central Society.
Breton Spaniel puppies are bred from the cross of different breeds of spaniels, such as the English Setter. It is proven that the first reach to obtain what we now call the Breton water dog was born in the 90s of the nineteenth century, in Fougéres, a French commune, more precisely in the viscount of Pontavice, which was a great breeder of Stters. and a hunting enthusiast.
The litter was made possible by a hybridization between an English Setter female and a French spaniel, and its cubs are distinguished by their ability to track and search for prey. These qualities made them popular hunting dogs in the region, spreading throughout France throughout the twentieth century.
Breton water dogs are medium-sized dogs, with a variable weight ranging from fifteen to eighteen pounds, and can reach twenty pounds for dogs larger than usual. Its height varies from 44.45 to 52.07 cm, with females normally smaller than males. The National Federation of Cycology classifies them in group 7 (continental stop dogs).
The body of the Breton Spaniel is compact and robust, its height is equal in length to the shoulder-tendon ratio of the ham, that is, its body has the same proportions as a square. The back is straight and short, with a kidney also short, but wide. The tips and spine are muscular and flexible. The legs are long, the hinds slightly longer than the lower ones. Its tail is high, usually hanging or horizontal, although there are Breton spaniels that are born without it.
The head, like the profile, is round. A key feature of the Breton Spaniel is the skull larger than its nose, which is straight, always in a ratio of 3: 2. The snout has a very noticeable angle between the frontal and nasal bones, but nothing drastic, ending in a snout itself. wide and with the nostrils wide, the color of which will vary according to the fur. The ears, as well as the tail, are tall, broad and short, triangular in shape, but with rounded tips, which makes the face harmonious. The eyes are oval, oblique and dark in color, which harmonize with the color of the fur, giving the Breton spaniel a friendly look that transmits the spirit of these dogs.
British hair is very fine and can be smooth or have small undulations. Its fur is shorter on the head and back, but longer on the tail. Its limbs and belly have a thicker bangs. As for the colors, the puppies of The Breton Spaniel have a wide range of possibilities, but do not expect to find a unicolor specimen of this breed. They must have two colors, or three if they have one fire color in addition to the other two. The most common combinations are: black and white, white and brown or white and orange. Accepted patterns are distinctive white spots on the body or white spots evenly distributed on the body, between brown or black hair.
In general, the personality of the Breton is distinguished by its great flexibility, that is, it adapts without problems to all kinds of environments and families. Breton Epagneul is able to develop perfectly in rural and urban areas. Of course, it is a very active dog that needs to expend energy daily through walks, games, exercises and mental stimuli.
Due to its intelligence, the Breton water dog is also an alert and insightful dog, which makes education and training remarkably easy. Through this, we can achieve not only a fantastic coexistence, but also the perfect dog for various canine sports, the realization of dog skills and coexistence at home. It is also a breed very attached to its caregivers, loves to spend time with them and receive attention.
If you have children or receive visits from children with a certain frequency, it is important to mention the extreme tenderness and sociability that the Breton Peel will show towards the little ones, as well as with other animals. You should pay special attention to your correct socialization as a puppy, however, the Breton spaniel is a cheerful and sociable dog with strangers, which is why it has never stood out as a watchdog.
Quanto aos cuidados, você deve saber que esta diante de uma raça de fácil manutenção. O Spaniel Bretão precisará de escovação regular para manter seu pelo em boas condições, livre de sujeiras, pelos mortos e nós. Duas ou três escovações semanais serão o suficiente. Quanto ao banho, você pode dar a cada um ou três meses, dependendo do acúmulo de sujeira. Lembre-se da importância de usar um shampoo específico para cachorros e jamais use sabão de uso humano.
Being lively and dynamic dogs, they need long walks that include a moment of relaxation to be able to feel the place and do their needs. They also need games and physical activity. Ideally, offer the Breton Spaniel a minimum of three walks a day, with a minimum duration of half an hour to one hour. It is also recommended to leave it without a collar for at least fifteen minutes. A good option for this breed is to play games of smell, which stimulate the most privileged senses, because it will appreciate a lot the activities that improve its olfactory development.
If your Breton water dog is walking or exercising in rural areas, it is necessary to check the legs at the end for possible injuries or foreign objects such as thorns or shrapnel, as they can trigger a dangerous infection. You should also check the fur to see if any ticks or fleas have contaminated your pet. The sooner you eliminate it, the better, as these parasites can cause very serious diseases. Therefore, it is advisable to protect your pets with repellents, pipettes or anti-stain collars. Of course, follow the vaccination schedule correctly.
Because they are dogs of great capacity and intelligence, the education of the Breton sword is relatively simple. You should always use positive reinforcement, as this makes it easier for the dog to assimilate behavior and encourage him to repeat it. This technique also improves the relationship with the caregiver and a balanced behavior in general.
Before the breton spaniel reaches your home, you need to set the basic rules with the rest of the family, so that the dog can assimilate more easily. That is, walking routines, meal times, access to certain areas of the house (such as the sofa, for example), where they will sleep, etc. Anyway, learn how to teach the Breton Peelum how to urinate in the paper and then teach him to urinate in the street. Another very important aspect of dog education is to teach it how to control the bite, which can sometimes be very strong.
Later in your youth, you should teach the dog some basic orders, such as sitting, lying down, approaching, and standing still. All are essential for good communication and for your own safety. Once they are fully learned and corrected, it is necessary to teach more advanced commands, dog skills, canine sports, among others. In case of complications or behavioral problems, it is advisable to call a professional canine educator.
As with most breeds of dogs, Breton spaniel is susceptible to certain inherited diseases, such as hip dysplasia, so you should pay as much attention to family history as possible, to be alert and detect the onset of this disease. or any other disease. In any case, we advise you to carry out regular veterinary examinations every six or twelve months. Especially in humid climates, you should also pay attention to the health of your ears, keeping them always clean and performing tests both at home and during the veterinary consultation. Due to the morphology of its ears, the Breton water dog tends to develop otitis.
However, it is very important to put a microchip on your Breton Spaniel, follow the vaccination schedule and perform periodic deworming, both internal and external. With all these precautions, Breton Peel’s life expectancy is between fourteen and sixteen years.