You might wonder why there is a rescue effort going nation wide for one breed of dog. That breed is the Brittany spaniel, who is the 30th most popular dog in America. There are a lot of dogs being bred and sold to all sorts of people. The Brittany spaniel is a wonderful dog of medium weight, 30 to 40 pounds, and friendly disposition. They are really cute as puppies and beautiful as adult dogs. The reason there is a need for Brittany spaniel rescue efforts is that not everybody who buys one of these dogs should be a dog owner.

People buying a puppy on looks alone, without studying the bread, may be in for more of a challenge then they bargained for. These dogs are bred for hunting and are very energetic. They need to be walked and exercised regularly and obedience training is recommended. Some owners mistreat the dogs out of ignorance, some are just cruel and others become frustrated by the specific care requirements of Brittany spaniels. Some breeders are not reputable and over breed causing defects and health problems. Brittany spaniels are not fireplace dogs, they demand lots of attention from their owners to be happy. When they are removed from homes due to mistreatment, Brittany spaniel rescue organizations are there to get them to a good shelter and find new homes for them.

Brittany spaniels come from the Brittany provence in France. They have been known as Brittany spaniels in Canada, Europe and the United States until 1982 when the American Kennel Association started registering them as just Brittany, because it was decided they hunt more like a setter than a spaniel. They weigh between 30 and 40 pounds and are leggy. Brittany’s life expectancy is between 12 and 13 years. They were bread as hunters and pointers. They are the smallest breed to be known as gun dogs. When these dogs are placed in bad homes, they need Brittany spaniel rescue to survive.

Brittanies are attractive dogs with high intelligence and train ability. they are good watch dogs and good companions to children. They are very affectionate and loyal, making them excellent dogs for the right families. These dogs are very energetic and need to be walked and exercised often to keep them happy and alert. If someone wants a quiet lazy dog needing little attention, this is not the dog for them. For abandoned or mistreated dogs, Brittany spaniel rescue volunteers can mean the difference between life and death. They screen dogs and prospective owners to get a good match. They have a nationwide network for rescue and placement.