Health
Smallest of the Pointing Breeds
COLORS:
Orange & White, Black & White, Liver & White, Tri Color
HEIGHT:
Male - 19.3-19.7" (49-50cm)
Female - 18.9-19.3" (48-49 cm)
Data below from the UKC Breed Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Smallest of the pointing breeds. The Epagneul Breton (French Brittany) is a dog with a Continental spaniel-type head (braccode in French) and a short or non-existent tail. Built harmoniously on a solid, but not weighty, frame. The whole is compact and well-knit, without undue heaviness, while staying sufficiently elegant. The dog is vigorous, the look is bright, and the expression intelligent. The general aspect is cobby (brachymorphic), full of energy, having conserved in the course of its evolution the short-coupled model sought after and fixed by those having recreated the breed.
CHARACTERISTICS
Important Proportions
The skull is longer than the muzzle, with a ratio of 3: 2.
Head is in proportion to the body.
The depth of the chest, from withers to brisket, is slightly less than half the height of the dog.
The scapulo-ischial length (from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks) is equal to the height at the withers (the dog fits in a square). (See Appendix Diagrams 1 and 2.)
BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT
Dog adapting itself to any environment, sociable, with an intelligent and attentive expression, mentally balanced. Versatile pointing dog, for any game on any terrain, precocious in revealing its hunting passion. Remarkable in its searching for game, its gaits, its scenting ability, its ranging in the field, its spontaneity and duration of pointing, its retrieving and its aptitude for training.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
The different gaits are easy, but powerful, even and lively. The legs move straight without exaggerated bouncing of the body and without rolling, the top line staying level. The canter is the most common gait in the field, the strides are rapid and of medium length, the hind legs having little extension to the rear (collected canter).
COAT
The coat is fine, but not silky, lying flat on the body or with a hint of a wave. Never curly. Short on the head and the front of the limbs. The hind part of the latter has a heavier coat, furnished with abundant feathering, diminishing along their length down to the carpus (wrist) or the tarsus (hock), or even lower.
A self-colored coat is not allowed.
COLOR
White and orange, white and black, white and liver, with more or less extensive irregular white patches. Piebald or roan, sometimes with ticking on the top and sides of the muzzle or the limbs.
Equally, in the case of tricolor coats, with tan spotting (orange to dark tan) on the top and sides of the muzzle, over the eyes, on the limbs, on the chest and under the base of the tail.
A narrow blaze is desirable with any color of coat.
Disqualification: Sable
HEALTH
The Epagneul Breton is a relatively healthy breed in comparison to most other breeds. The only genetic issue that we are able to test for at this time is Hip Dysplasia, and there are some arguments out there that can be made that hip dysplasia is more an environmental issue versus genetic, but there is a genetic component to it.
Hypoallergenic: No
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Hips: The breed is susceptible to hip dysplasia. Be sure to check for Hip Certifications on parents when you purchase a puppy.
The CEB-US is currently working with genetic testing companies to identify any other possible genetic issues we can test for.