A spaniel is a spaniel, right? Not quite. Even though the Springer Spaniel and the Brittany Spaniel have a lot in common, they have their own distinct differences.
What is the Difference Between a Springer Spaniel and a Brittany Spaniel?
Are you interested in adding a new pup to your family? Maybe you've been looking at Brittany Spaniels and Springer Spaniels, but you can't quite pick your favorite. Or maybe you're not quite sure what the difference is between the two. How do you know which one will be the best fit for your family? Let's go through the specifics of each of these two breeds, so you can see just how similar and different they both are.
What is a Brittany Spaniel?
The American Kennel Club describes the personality of a Brittany Spaniel in these three words: “Bright. Fun-loving. Upbeat.” Does that sound like a good fit for you? This dog is a part of the sporting group because Brittanys are great hunters, and are known for being “bird dogs.” They can weigh between 30 lbs. - 40 lbs., can stand between 17.5 - 20.5 inches tall, and can live to be about 12 - 14 years old.
The Brittany Spaniel has a wavy to straight white fur coat with patches of orange and reddish-brown. “The face has the 'softness’ prized by bird-dog lovers; high-set ears convey the breed's essential eagerness.”
Brittanys are high-energy and ready to play. These pups have lots of energy and are going to need a high amount of physical and mental stimulation. They are very smart and easily trainable. Brittanys are great with families, children, and other dogs. They are affectionate, and easily adaptable. Brittany Spaniels have a moderate watchdog nature and only a moderate barking level.
What is a Springer Spaniel?
The official name of this breed is English Springer Spaniel. And The American Kennel Club describes them in these three words: “Friendly. Playful. Obedient." They are also a part of the sporting group because they are hunters as well. Their height is usually 19 - 20 inches. They weigh around 40 lbs. - 50 lbs. And they can live to be about 12 - 14 years old.
Springer Spaniels are also very good with children and other dogs, but they are extremely affectionate with family. This means they will be very lovey-dovey. They have a moderate shedding level and a moderate drooling level. The Springer Spaniels are definitely playful, adaptable, and extremely trainable. They also only have a moderate barking level, and are only moderately watch dogs by nature.
“The English Springer Spaniel is a sweet-faced, lovable bird dog of great energy, stamina, and brains. Sport hunters cherish the duality of working Springers: handsome, mannerly pets during the week, and trusty hunting buddies on weekends.” So whether you're looking for a hunting companion, or a family dog, the Springer Spaniel would be great for both!
Similarities and Differences Between the Brittany and the Springer Spaniel
Although the Brittanys are shedding dogs, their fur is pretty low maintenance, and it’s shorter than the hair of the Spring Spaniel. And because the Brittany Spaniels actually take a little more after their “pointer” side, their ears are shorter, and their nose and mouth are pointier than that of a Springer Spaniel.
These two dog breeds are pretty similar in height and life expectancy, but the Springer Spaniel does tend to weigh a little more. And though both of these dogs are dual-colored, the Brittany Spaniel has white fur with reddish-brown patches. And the Springer Spaniel is white with black or dark brown patches.
Both of these pups need lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation. But don't worry if you're not a hunter. You can help out your pup by taking them on frequent walks and jogs. Having a fenced-in yard for them to run around and sniff in. And especially by taking them for hikes out in the woods. Both the Springer Spaniel and the Brittany Spaniel would love this because of the physical exercise, and all of the great smells from the critters out in nature.
What is the Calmest Spaniel Breed?
If you're not exactly the active outdoorsy type, and you're not sure that one of these two breeds would be the best for you, there is another popular spaniel breed that is very calm. And it is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This little guy looks like a miniature Springer Spaniel, But it can have the coloring of either the Springer Spaniel, the Brittany Spaniel, or a mixture of the two.
These dogs are known for being affectionate, gentle, and graceful. And they are a part of the toy group because of their small stature. Their height is usually 12 - 13 inches. Their weight is about 13lbs. - 18 lbs. And they can live to be about 12 - 15 years old.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is so popular because they rank a 5 out of 5 for being affectionate with family, good with children, and good with other dogs. These pups are easily trainable, and they only have a moderate energy level and moderate need for mental stimulation. Because of that, they will still enjoy a good walk or some playtime. But they're much more suited for someone who needs a calmer, slower-paced dog.
For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi.com.
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