French Brittany vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison

English White Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but French Brittany is originated from France. English White Terrier may grow 26 cm / 11 inches higher than French Brittany. English White Terrier may weigh 11 kg / 24 pounds lesser than French Brittany. English White Terrier may live 5 years less than French Brittany. Both English White Terrier and French Brittany has almost same litter size. English White Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance. But French Brittany requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Gun dog
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United Kingdom
France
Height Male:
44 - 46 cm
17 - 19 inches
17 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
Height Female:
42 - 44 cm
16 - 18 inches
15 - 19 cm
5 - 8 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
13 - 17 kg
28 - 38 pounds
Life Span:
5 - 8 Years
12 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 9
5 - 8
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Old White English Terrier, White English Terrier Old English Terrier British White Terrier. Old White Terrier
Brittany Spaniel Brittany Wiegref Epagneul Breton French Brittany Spaniel
Colors Available:
brown, white with brindle, black or other markings
liver roan, black and white (not universally accepted), orange roan, Orange and white, black roan, liver and white, tricolor
Coat:
Close, hard, short, and glossy
flowing , medium length
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Docile, Friendly, Gentle, Lively, Loving
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

The English White Terrier was developed in the 1860’s by a group of breeders from the Sealyham terriers, the Jack Russell terrier, and the Fox Terrier. These breeders were looking for a white terrier that could be more successful in the show ring than the current prick-eared English terrier. They named their new breed, the English White Terrier or the Old English terrier. In later years in the United States, the English White Terrier was mixed again with the Rat Terrier and the Old English Bulldog to create both the Boston terrier and the Bull terrier.

Although the breed did not last long it did have a prestigious ancestry that could be traced back centuries in England among ancient terriers. The word terrier was in use in England in 1440, showing that the dogs were well known at that time. Most historians agree that the dogs were even older than the 1400’s. It is believed that terriers who “went to ground” after prey, existed as far back as the time of Christ in England.

Most of these ancestors of the English White Terrier were not white. White terriers came onto the scene around the 1700’s.The first picture of white terriers appeared in 1790 when Sawre Gilpin, a British artist, painted “A Huntsman with Hounds Foxhunting” and the terriers in the painting were white with brown marks. Others began to show the same kind of terriers in their artwork – white coated. Before this it is believed that breeders killed the white terriers at birth because they were often deaf and inferior to the other terriers. In the early part of the 19th century, the white terrier began to be completely white with no markings. The Kennel Club recognized them in 1874 as the White English Terrier.

The breed faced many genetic issues, deafness and the Kennel Clubs felt there was no difference between the current White English terrier and the English White terrier despite the difference in their ears. The new English White Terrier had dropped ears instead of Prick-ears. They considered them to be the same breed and not even different types. They were the smallest of all terriers and considered to be a good pet but not a show dog or a working dog. Because of this it was not very popular, and it actually had been bred to be a show dog and not a working dog. The English White Terrier was not recognized by any Kennel Club and within 30 years it was extinct.

french brittanyBrittanys are the product of France, actually developed in the Brittany Province. They are gun dogs designed to hunt birds. Referred to more often than not as a Spaniel their method of working is much more in line with the setters and pointers. They are believed to be developed somewhere between the 17th and 19th centuries, but not recognized until the 20th century. Orange and white dogs were portrayed on 17th century tapestries, hunting and retrieving. In 1850 the Reverend Davies wrote the first record of Brittanys that was verifiable.

The Brittany was recognized for the first time in 1907 as their own breed even though they participated in the Paris Dog Show in 1900. Once recognized the standards were written as well. It was not until 1931 that the breed was recognized in America and 1934 before the American Kennel Club approved them. Until 1982 they were known as the French Brittany Spaniel. The Spaniel was dropped in ’82. In the United Kingdom the Brittany is known as an HPR (Hunt, Point and Retrieve) breed and they do so with both birds and small game such as hares. The Brittany’s have more dual champions than any other American Kennel Club Sporting Breed in both Confirmation and Field Trials.

There are some differences between the current day French Brittany and the “American Brittany”. They are the same breed but different sub-sets and there are differences that can be noted between the two. The French Brittany is smaller than the newer American version and works closer to the hunter and the guns, while the American Brittany runs ahead of the hunter quite often. Some breeders however don’t consider these differences to be sub-sets and believe that the American breeders should accept the French standards reflecting the origin of the breed.

Description

The English White Terrier had a pure white coat with no markings of any kind. His coat was short, hard, and glossy and his body was firm, muscular and hard. The breed was small – almost a toy. They had a body like the Manchester Terrier. They had long legs and large feet. The tail was medium size and straight out from the body.

The English White Terrier had a very refined head with a fairly long muzzle. Their bite was even, and their eyes were brown, amber or black. Their ears dropped – unlike the pricked ears of the White English Terrier.

french brittany puppy - descriptionThe French Brittany is an energetic, compact, solid, athletic dog. They have average size heads, intelligent expressions, floppy ears, and a long, elastic and free gait. Most Brittanys are born with short tails but if not, they are docked outside the United Kingdom. Docking is illegal in the United Kingdom so those Brittanys might have a long tail.

Their coats are orange roan, orange and white and liver roan. A tricoat of orange, liver and white is allowed within a specific placement of the three colors.

Characteristics

The English White Terrier was affectionate and devoted to his family. It was the softest tempered of all terriers and made an excellent pet. Some of the English White Terriers were animal aggressive while others were not. Training was difficult because of the wide-spread deafness in the breed. IT loved to be cuddled and held. They were also tenacious and game for any type of fight or hunt despite their size and deficiencies.

1.Children

french brittany dog - characteristicsVery friendly with children

Special talents

Dual champions in Field Trials and Confirmation. They both point and retrieve.

Adaptability

They are not as adaptable as some hunting breeds. They are very active and need space both indoors and out. They are not recommended for life in apartments in the city. A rural environment is best. They do not adapt well to the damp and cold weather.

Learning ability

They are very intelligent and have very high learning ability.

Health Problems

The breed was considered to be unhealthy for the most part and became extinct because of this. Many complained that the breed was inbred and had a weak constitution because of it. Deafness was prevalent throughout the breed. This deafness occurs in many white animals, but the English White Terrier had the highest rates among all white dogs.

french brittany puppies - health problemsGenerally, a hardy breed that is mostly healthy, the Brittany in France usually lives on average 12 years 6 months. In the UK the average if 12 years and 11 months and many dogs living to be 14 or 15. Some of the health issues that might pop up for the Brittany include:

  1. Ear Infections
  2. Hip Dysplasia
  3. Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
  4. Epilepsy

Caring The Pet

Feeding

It was best to feed the English White Terrier 1-2 cups of dry meal per day served in 2 meals.

Health issues

As mention previously, the English White Terrier was congenitally deaf and had a weak constitution.

Exercise and games

This little dog with all its problems was still a very energetic dog and needed considerable exercise. Owners had to develop exercises and games to keep the English White Terrier occupied as with any terrier. If they didn’t have a job or something to occupy their minds and bodies, they were destructive.

Feeding the puppy

french brittany dogs - caringFeed puppies a high quality puppy food designed for medium sized dogs. Give about one to one and a half cups per day in 2-3 meals.

Feeding the adult

For the adult French Brittany feed a high quality adult dry food designed for medium sized dogs. Give about two cups per day in 2 meals.

Points for Good Health

Excellent vision and scent

Games and Exercises

The French Brittany is an active and enthusiastic bird dog that loves to exercise. They have the stamina and drive that goes with an efficient and successful hunting dog. They need daily exercise, regular walks and excel at field trials and confirmation. They are also good at lure chase, flyball, rally and obedience.

Comparison with other breeds

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  39. English White Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. English White Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. English White Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. English White Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. English White Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. English White Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. English White Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. English White Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. English White Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. English White Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. English White Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. English White Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison