The Brittany is a type of Spaniel that is also considered by many to be a pointer or setter. Its name is derived from the Brittany province of France where it was developed in the 17th century.
The Brittany originally assisted hunters by pursuing wild game and retrieving their carcasses. In modern times, this breed of hunting dog now functions as a companion due to its lovable and sociable characteristics.
The Brittany’s coat color is usually either orange/white or liver/white, and it lives for an average of 12-13 years.
It has no undercoat, so it won’t need to be brushed or groomed too often. The breed was approved and accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1934.
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Brittany Purchase Price
The average price of a Brittany is $980 on the AKC Marketplace based on about 30 sellers currently offering the pups. The high end is about $1,500 and the low end is $350.
Next Day Pets offers the doggies for an average of $800, with $1,200 being the high end and $500 being the low end. The age of the dogs on sale range anywhere between 1 week and 51 weeks old, so this is a good option if you’re looking for a more mature Brittany.
You might want to also consider adopting a Brittany from a shelter. This option has multiple benefits. It saves you money, lowers upkeep for shelters, and rescues a homeless animal from a life of vagrancy. Some adoption centers will also charge a fee, albeit much lower than you would spend on buying a dog.
Petfinder’s adoption fee can range up to several hundred dollars, but sometimes it won’t have a charge at all; it depends on the specific Brittany being adopted.
Other One-Time Expenses
- Shelter
Purchasing one dog crate to last throughout its lifetime is better than getting multiple ones. Some crates come with dividers that can be inserted during your Brittany’s early months and years and taken out once your pet grows larger. These crates are useful for toilet training, security, and transportation.
Gunner Kennels is a one-stop shop for some of the best long-term crates. You certainly won’t have to buy more than one of these in your dog’s lifetime. These heavy-duty double-wall kennels have been known to withstand car crashes and interior damage from bites or scratches.
Transportation on airlines or over land will be a breeze, as the G1 kennels feature security mechanisms that even the smartest pooches won’t be able to figure out. The G1 Intermediate is recommended for your Brittany to give it more room to move around inside. It costs about $500 which is quite steep in comparison to a regular crate you could buy from a pet store, but it’ll more than pay itself back in the long run
- Neutering
Neutering is the act of removing a dog’s reproductive organs. The word is often incorrectly used to refer to a male; it actually applies to both sexes. “Castration” is the male-specific term while “spaying” is for females. It is generally considered as a good practice by both humane societies and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation due to its contribution in reducing unwanted litters and overpopulated rescue shelters. The Sacramento SPCA performs neutering services for $100 to $350 based on the dog’s weight.
- Tracking
Having your Brittany microchipped will help you to easily locate it in the event that it wanders off and gets lost. Standard ISO Microchips can be purchased at K9 Microchips for only $4.97 a pop.
Bring it with you during a routine vet checkup and they’ll insert it at no additional charge. However, inserting the chip is not the final step. You also need to have it registered to a directory so that your dog can be located no matter where it is.
There are several directories such as Free Pet Chip Registry which hold no charges. Others like Fetch ID have an annual $19.99 charge but provide other benefits such as a return flight for your pet worth $500 if found more than 500 miles away.
Microchips last a lifetime, do not degenerate, and never need to be replaced due to an internal power source.
Recurring Expenses
Dogs require plenty of emotional and financial support. To make sure that you can afford everything that your new pet will need, consider the list of recurring expenses below:
- Health Care
Brittanys are susceptible to several eye diseases such as glaucoma that can cause blindness. Other common conditions include epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and hyperthyroidism. Many of these illnesses can be avoided by having your Brittany maintain a healthy lifestyle. But in some cases, it may have progressed too far and needs special attention. The Petcare Animal Hospital in Utah offers veterinary checkups for about $48 annually.
- Medicine
When puppies are born, they usually need to be dewormed and this is fulfilled by the breeder. However, if worms are confirmed by a vet to have infected your dog again, you’ll need medicine to destroy them.
Bayer Quad Dewormer Tablets for Dogs can be purchased from Petco for either $19.99 or $29.99 (depending on the size of your dog) and should take care of most types of worms. Remember, only a vet should prescribe and administer appropriate medicine.
Vaccinations are another must-have to prevent serious diseases from ravaging your Brittany. Vetco Clinics have an affordable package available which costs $69 and includes vaccines for Canine Distemper/Parvovirus, Bordetella, Leptospirosis, and medicine for deworming.
Take into account that most core vaccines are given twice; once the puppy reaches a certain age and 3-4 weeks apart. Vets may also recommend booster shots which will be given a year after the initial shots, and then every 3 years thereafter.
- Food
The recommended kibble for your Brittany is Nulo Freestyle Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Adult. It contains 80% protein and all the nutrients your dog needs to stay strong and healthy. You can get a 24-lb. bag at Chewy for only $62.99.
As with most dogs, the amount of food they consume each day can vary so, get in touch with your breeder or a vet for a guide on daily or weekly food portions.
- Shipping / Transportation
To make transportation of your dog easier during long local trips, prepare their crate for traveling. As mentioned earlier, a good crash-proof one that you can use throughout a dog’s lifetime is the G1 Intermediate by Gunner Kennels.
For out-of-state or longer domestic trips, you’ll want to book with a pet transport company like Pet Transport PRO. The total estimated amount for such a trip is broken down into several parts but comes out to around at the very least, $1,120.
There are various factors that can influence and increase this amount such as the chosen airline, weight of your dog, and distance traveled.
- Toys
Brittany puppies are energetic and tend to get bored easily if they don’t have something to grab their attention. Chew toys such as the Nylabone Puppy Starter Bones are recommended for the teething stage and cost $6.49 each at PetSmart. For an older pup, try a KONG Treat-Dispensing Puppy Toy for $11.99.
What’s Included in the Brittany Price?
Inclusions to the price can vary depending on the breeders and what they’re providing along with the Brittany that you purchase. The list below outlines some of the various common price inclusions and their corresponding value:
- AKC Registration ($30 to $79.99)
- Initial Vaccinations ($35 to $75)
- Puppy Food (amount varies depending on brand and amount)
- Puppy Vitamins (amount varies depending on brand and amount)
- AKC Pedigree ($34 to $129)
Buyer’s Guide & Additional Cost-Affecting Factors
There are two types of Brittanys – the American Brittany and the French Brittany. American variants are larger and run faster, and French ones are smaller and stay closer to the hunter. Depending on where you are purchasing the dog from, the price could change according to where its lineage hails from.
Another factor that could potentially affect the cost of a Brittany is the coat colors. There are certain “rare” coat colors that do not occur often naturally, and these are orange roan and liver roan.
Beware of scammers, especially when dealing with online sellers. Some ask for money upfront but don’t even have the dog in their possession. Always visit the kennel or seller’s home to see the puppy first before giving any money.
